STEVE Cook said Cherries would be hoping to “put things right” against rivals Southampton after admitting: “We probably kept them in the league.”

Cook was at fault for the winning goal when he lost possession to Dušan Tadić at St Mary’s in April before the Serb went through to fire past Asmir Begovic and seal a 2-1 win.

After beating Cherries, a point at Everton followed by a crucial victory over Swansea paved the way for Mark Hughes’s men to remarkably beat the drop and finish 17th.

But having recorded eight more points than their south coast neighbours last season, Cook insisted the rivalry between the two sides had been close to reaching boiling point.

Cherries are already 11 points clear of Saints, who have only mustered one win from their opening eight league fixtures.

The defender said: “We let Southampton off last season - from a mistake by me - and we probably kept them in the league.

“We owe them. I know it’s at home but we will be looking to put things right from the away game last season and prove that we are the top team in the south.

“I think we are right now. We finished above everyone on the south coast last season.

“It doesn’t really mean too much right now but it’s nice to have some bragging rights for the fans.

“In the end I was pleased Southampton did stay up because the rivalry will grow as long as we are both in the Premier League and playing regular fixtures.

“There was a silver lining, I suppose, in losing to them last season. As the games keep playing the fans can get their teeth stuck into it a bit more and I think it will become a good rivalry.”

Hastings-born Cook is Cherries’ record appearance maker in the Premier League having played 116 times.

He has been in fine form this campaign being ever-present in guiding Cherries to sixth in the table.

No Cherries player has won more aerial battles, made more clearances, interceptions or played more passes than the centre-half in the top-flight this season.

But despite his impressive start, the 27-year-old is refusing to get carried away.

He said: “We are targeting top half. We want to get those 40 points as quickly as possible and then who knows? We are only eight games in, it’s a good start right now and we need to stay on top of things.

“We have to target consistent wins. We have won a couple, drawn and then suffered a big loss against Burnley which really brought us down to earth. We don’t want to get too high right now.

“We have a job to do, we want to stay grounded and keep picking up these wins along the way.”

Cook scored in Cherries’ only Premier League win over Southampton – a 2-0 home success in March 2016.