Southampton maintained their 100% record under the management of Ronald Koeman with a 1-0 pre-season friendly win over Bournemouth on Friday evening.
Lloyd Isgrove gave the Saints a 20th-minute lead at Dean Court which was nearly cancelled out when Brett Pitman had a late goal disallowed for offside.
The Saints have seen their preparations for the upcoming campaign blighted by the loss of manager Mauricio Pochettino and several key players, but these setbacks have yet to have an adverse effect on their results.
Dejan Lovren appears to be the latest big name on his way out of St Mary's, with reports claiming that he is poised to follow Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert to Liverpool. A contender to step into his boots in central defence, Maya Yoshida, headed over the crossbar from a seventh-minute corner.
James Ward-Prowse and Gaston Ramirez also narrowly missed the target with efforts in the opening quarter-of-an-hour and Southampton's rapid start was rewarded when Isgrove found the net.
The 21-year-old Saints academy graduate made a late burst in from the left flank to meet Nathaniel Clyne's cross with a clever diving header which flew inside the post of Benji Buchel's goal.
Summer signing Graziano Pelle went close to doubling Southampton's lead only to see his shot blocked by Buchel, who kept out a long-range effort from Ward-Prowse after an initial spill.
Artur Boruc made an athletic double save to prevent Josh McQuoid and Charlie Daniels equalising before the break, but it was not until the 88th-
minute that Eddie Howe's Championship hosts threatened again.
Towards the end of a second half which was disrupted by several substitutions by either side, Pitman guided home a free kick which had been flicked on, but the flag was quickly raised to deny Bournemouth a draw.
Joe Fish
