CHERRIES saw their unbeaten run under Gary O’Neil go up in smoke as Che Adams’s first-half header earned Southampton a 1-0 victory at Vitality Stadium.

The Scotland international’s precise finish earned the St Mary’s side all three points against their south coast neighbours, a result which also took them out of the bottom three.

It was the Dorset club’s first loss since their 9-0 thumping at Liverpool back in August.

Cherries were unchanged from the side who sealed a 2-2 draw at Fulham last time out, with Ben Pearson back on the bench in place of the ineligible Jack Stephens.

Saints made one alteration, with Croatia international Duje Caleta-Car coming in for the injured Armel Bella-Kotchap, who suffered a dislocated shoulder against West Ham.

The hosts switched to a back three for the contest with their south coast rivals, with Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Fredericks operating as wing-backs.

But it took just nine minutes for the away side to conjure up an opening goal.

A sublime first-time cross from Saints full-back Romain Perraud allowed Che Adams to rise highest and glance into the corner of the net past Neto – sending the travelling fans into jubilation.

Cherries looked to respond. After Perraud brought down Tavernier on the counter, a free-kick nodded back into the box fell to midfielder Philip Billing.

The Dane’s fierce volley was tipped over the bar from close range by a flying Gavin Bazunu. The Ireland international then comfortably gathered Jefferson Lerma’s header back across goal, following Tavernier’s free-kick from deep.

After Neto got down to thwart Saints’ midfielder Joe Aribo from close range, Billing tried his luck once again at the other end.

This time from all of 25 yards out, he unleashed a fierce left-foot piledriver which was parried away by Bazunu.

Tempers then flared between the sides in the latter stages of the first half.

Chris Mepham slid into a challenge on Ainsley Maitland-Niles with the ball already out of play – sparking a flashpoint between the two. Both men were cautioned by referee John Brooks.

Cherries had the chance to level just two minutes into the second half. Lewis Cook’s corner found the head of Marcos Senesi, who just glanced wide.

O’Neil then looked to the bench opted to bring on Junior Stanislas for Ryan Christie just past the hour mark – the winger’s first involvement since August.

The hosts then had a big shout for handball turned down. Stanislas’s cross struck the hand of a sliding Mohammed Salisu, with referee Brooks waving play on.

Joe Rothwell was introduced for the hosts in place of Senesi, making his Premier League debut.

Cherries continued to threaten, Stanislas’s neat turn allowed him to cross for Tavernier but Bazunu gathered his weak header with ease.

Saints then had the chance to seal it late on. After Perraud’s cross, Adams saw his effort blocked by Smith before Moi Elyounoussi fired wide.

O’Neil threw on Kieffer Moore and Siriki Dembele with eight minutes left but, despite a late spill from Bazunu following a corner, Saints held firm to end their five-game run without a win.

Cherries: Neto, Fredericks, Mepham, Senesi (Rothwell, 77), A Smith, L Cook, Lerma, Christie (Stanislas, 62), Billing (Moore 82), Tavernier, Solanke (Dembele, 82).

Unused subs: Stacey, Pearson, Anthony, Zemura, Travers (g/k).

Booked: Mepham

Saints: Bazunu, Walker-Peters (S Armstrong, 66), Caleta-Car, Salisu, Perraud (Larios, 87), Ward-Prowse, Maitland-Niles (Diallo, 88), Elyounoussi, Aribo (Lyanco, 64), Adams, A Armstrong (Djenepo, 87).

Unused subs: Mara, Edozie, Diallo, Walcott, McCarthy (g/k).

Booked: Perraud, Maitland-Niles.

Referee: John Brooks.

VAR: Peter Bankes.