Danny Ings scored his 21st Premier League goal of the season as Southampton's 2-0 win at AFC Bournemouth pushed the Cherries closer towards relegation.
The striker opened the scoring four minutes before half-time, from Nathan Redmond’s pass.
Ings had a chance to reduce the gap to Jamie Vardy in the Golden Boot race to a single goal in the 56th minute but saw his penalty saved by Aaron Ramsdale.
AFC Bournemouth pressed for an equaliser and in stoppage time Sam Surridge thought he had scored, but VAR overturned his goal for offside against Callum Wilson in the build-up.
There was still time for Che Adams to seal Saints' win with a strike that drops AFC Bournemouth below Aston Villa on goals scored to 19th.
They have 31 points and will be relegated if Watford avoid defeat at home to Manchester City on Tuesday.
Southampton rise to 11th on 49 points.
See: AFC Bournemouth report | Southampton report
Next fixtures
AFC Bournemouth: 26 July v Everton (A)
Southampton: 26 July v Sheff Utd (H)
