Concern at Bournemouth vs Southampton as 4th official Kevin Friend collapses

Koeman pulled no punches in a frank assessment as Saints were comfortably beaten by Cherries thanks to goals from Steve Cook and Benik Afobe. “Of course they did things tactically so that’s why we changed the system but we lost more battles than we won”.

“But there was a big difference with the way Bournemouth started the game”.

“That was not tactics, that was belief, spirit, character, mentality”.

A draw away to mid-table Watford on Saturday was a decent result for Bournemouth as they continued to show enterprising form on their travels, but it could have been more as a couple of presentable second half chances were missed. “It’s always disappointing if the opponent is hungrier than your team”.

Southampton will be without striker Charlie Austin for “several weeks” because of a hamstring injury.

With seconds remaining in the televised game between Bournemouth and Southampton, the game suddenly stopped as referee Mike Dean was alerted to a commotion at the touchline.

It was Bournemouth’s first league win over Southampton in 58 years and took them eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Kevin Friend, who was the fourth official for Bournemouth vs. Southampton, was treated at the side of the field after collapsing near the end of the first half.

Friend was replaced by Dean Treleaven, a fully qualified official who has taken charge of Under-21 fixtures in the past.

Cherries boss Howe hailed what he hopes can now prove a pivotal victory in his side’s bid for top-flight survival.

“Junior Stanislas has got a tear in his hamstring, so he’ll be four to six weeks”, Howe said.

“Harry Arter has a potential Achilles problem, and Joshua King felt pains in one of his ankles”.