Southampton boost survival hopes with Tadic brace

Dusan Tardic

DUSAN Tadic scored twice to hand Southampton a Premier League survival lifeline with a nervy 2-1 win over Bournemouth at St Mary’s.

Victories for Crystal Palace and rock-bottom West Brom also blew the relegation battle wide open, while Stoke grabbed a potentially crucial point against Liverpool at Anfield.

Mark Hughes’ Saints started the day four points from safety and in desperate need of three points against their south-coast rivals to realistically keep alive hopes of preserving their top-flight status.

Tadic blasted his side into the lead on 25 minutes on the end of a quick break by Mario Lamina before Josh King equalised for the Cherries in stoppage time at the end of the first half.

But Tadic struck again in the 54th minute when he sent a cool finish past Asmir Begovic, before his side clung on through a torrid final few minutes.

Palace all but sealed their own safety with an emphatic 5-0 win over Leicester which piled more pressure on under-fire Foxes boss Claude Puel.

Wilfried Zaha set up the rout with his eighth goal of the season in the 17th minute before turning provider to set up James McArthur for the Eagles’ second just before the break.

Marc Albrighton was sent off in the 56th minute for bringing down Zaha and Palace took full advantage with three goals in the final 10 minutes.

Stoke also gave themselves a shout at survival although they were left disappointed not to take more from a goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

The home side had a shout for handball by Stoke defender Erik Pieters waved away late on, while Stoke could have won it at the death when Ryan Shawcross fired inches wide.

Huddersfield find themselves back in the relegation dogfight after a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Everton.

And Sean Dyche’s Burnley must wait a little longer to confirm a place in next season’s Europa League after they were held to a goalless draw at home by Brighton.