A few minutes after the final whistle Ralph Hasenhüttl and his players linked arms in front of the away support to toast a much-needed victory and a long overdue first clean sheet of the season, Southampton the last team in England’s top four divisions to claim one.
Was it a defiant show of unity? A symbol of togetherness despite the never-ending, engulfing sense of crisis? Or a chance to celebrate only their second away win since February with fans, safe in the knowledge that his future visits to Bournemouth’s beaches will not be tarnished? “I’m very often here and enjoy this beautiful landscape,” a smiling Hasenhüttl said afterwards. “It’s always good when you pass here and know that you haven’t lost.”
