Andoni Iraola believes Bournemouth are in the hunt for European qualification after they moved up to fifth in the Premier League table with a 3-1 win over Southampton.

The Cherries took an early two-goal lead through Dango Ouattara and Ryan Christie and looked to be easing to another comfortable win on their travels.

However, Southampton fought their way back into the game and pulled a goal back as Kulemana Sulemana fired the ball beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga with 20 minutes remaining.

But substitute Marcus Taverneier eased any nerves, scoring Bournemouth's third six minutes from time to stretch the Cherries' unbeaten run to seven top-flight away matches. 

Speaking after the encounter at St. Mary's, Iraola was pleased to avoid a grandstand finish on the south coast, having dominated for much of the contest. 

"I think it is a good win for us, and it is always difficult to play away in the Premier League," Iraola told BBC Match of the Day:

"We played very well in the first 45 minutes, but it is true that when they scored there were some moments that were risky, and we were suffering. But thankfully, we got the third one, which is good."

Iraola also lauded the consistency of Christie. On what was his 93rd Premier League appearance, he both scored and assisted in the same game for the first time.

"I am very happy for Ryan," said Iraola.

"He has played well almost every time, and it is a good shot from the edge of the box and he scores. You can see the work he has put in there. It was a lovely goal, and he is in a very good moment also."

Iraola dismissed the club's current position in the table but believes his side will be in and amongst the European places if they continue maintaining their levels of performance from now until the end of the campaign, though he acknowledged how difficult a task that would be.

"I don't care about the position right now," he said.

"43 points is a good number, but we need many more. We have to focus on the next games. Let's see where we are and later in the season we can look at the standings. It is early.

"We definitely deserve the results we are getting, and it is not a given that you are going to perform the same way until the end. If we perform in the same way, we will be there and be close. But it is difficult to stay at this level until the end of the season."

Southampton boss Ivan Juric praised the effort of his side but conceded that it was not enough considering the club's doomed relegation prospects.

The Saints remain rooted at the bottom of the Premier League, ten points adrift of safety with just 13 matches remaining.

Indeed, after 25 games of a top-flight season, only Sheffield United in 1975-76 (eight in the three-points-per-win-era) have accrued fewer points than Southampton's nine in 2024-25.

"They were the better team in the first half and second half. I think we did really well, but it was not enough," Juric told BBC Sport: 

"We are in a bad situation and there were some positives but not enough to take points in the Premier League.

"The players are giving 100 per cent. I had a feeling that they had given the maximum."