IT had to be Danny Ings, of course.
Not just because of his personal history with Bournemouth and Eddie Howe, who are in need of another miracle to stave off relegation after a cruel – but correct – VAR intervention in the final seconds.
Danny Ings moved two goals off the Golden Boot as Southampton beat Bournemouth 1-0Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
They were the club and manager that gave Ings his professional debut, which explained the striker’s muted celebration.
But because few players on the pitch, heck, in the league right now, would have found the net with such precision and confidence as Ings did four minutes before half-time.
Che Adams added some gloss deep into stoppage time, seconds after Sam Surridge had had a leveller dramatically ruled out by VAR due to offside.
Ings’ goal condemned the Cherries to defeat and left them on the brink of relegationCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Ings also missed a penalty just before the hour – perhaps a subconscious bout of sympathy for his beleaguered old side.
But truthfully, it was his moment of quality before the break that was the game’s key moment and left Howe’s men fearing their five-year Prem stay will soon be over.
Ings is in the form and fitness of his life – in stark contrast to the three years of crock hell he suffered at Liverpool before joining Saints.
Bournemouth thought they had bagged a late equaliser but it was ruled out for offsideCredit: AFP AFP or Licensors AFP or Licensors
Injury almost wrecked his chances of becoming a footballer altogether as he was dogged by an abdominal problem as a teenager while at the Vitality.
Howe had seen next to nothing of the youngster but had heard good things from then Cherries academy coach Joe Roach and so handed Ings a three-month deal to impress.
The forward grabbed it with both hands and began a career climb from League Two to the Premier League – including via Burnley, where he was signed by Howe – and even England.
Che Adams wrapped up the win for Saints in the dying secondsCredit: AFP AFP or Licensors AFP or Licensors
Now Ings can rightfully claim to be one of the most feared forwards in the country and the sheer length of his hot form proves it is no flash in the pan.
But of all 23 goals he has netted this season in total, this one would possibly have given the 27-year-old the least pleasure.
Bournemouth’s future now looks bleak because of their former son’s lethal finishing.
Bournemouth are now staring relegation in the faceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
They had known a win here would boost their chances considerably with the now Nigel Pearson-less Watford facing Manchester City and Arsenal in their final two games.
The Cherries can still stay up but they must win at Everton on the final day and rely on other results.
If they manage it, the feat would probably surpass the original Great Escape they pulled off in Howe’s maiden season.
Ings could have moved to within just one goal of Jamie VardyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
That came in 2009 when the rookie boss overturned a 17-point deduction to stay in the Football League.
Bournemouth were infinitely better here than the home collapses against Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
Yet their main threat came from set-pieces which Alex McCarthy and his Saints defence coped with well.
The former Liverpool man saw his penalty saved by Aaron RamsdaleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
And were it not for the magnificent Aaron Ramsdale, Southampton’s move to 49 points – their highest tally in four years – would have been far smoother.
The England Under-21 keeper smartly intervened as Nathan Remond raced through before holding James Ward-Prowse’s free header.
But there was nothing Ramsdale could do to prevent the crucial opener.
Some neat interplay outside the box ended with Redmond laying off to super-confident Ings, who did the rest by burying the ball into the far corner.
It was a cruel twist for Bournemouth who thought they had salvaged a pointCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Presumably out of respect for his old side, the ex-Dorchester Town loanee kept his celebrations to a minimum.
He curled just wide shortly after the break before making an uncharacteristic gaffe from the penalty spot.
Ref Craig Pawson had eventually adjudged, via VAR, that Oriol Romeu’s header had struck Harry Wilson’s raised hand .
Yet Ramsdale guessed right by diving left to deny Ing’s weak spotkick.
The hosts did not give up and late in injury time, Surridge thought he had stolen a point when turning home afte McCarthy had spilled the ball – but VAR spotted interfering Callum Wilson to be offside.
The hammer blow was made worse when sub Adams doubled the lead to damage Bournemouth’s goal difference in the final seconds.
It left the hosts needing something extraordinary on the final day if they are to match the feat of 11 years ago during Ings first season at the club.
The Cherries are sure to be worried about losing top stars this summerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Check out Southampton striker Danny Ings’ model girlfriend Ruby Blake
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
