Even a late Benteke goal for Liverpool was not enough to change much and it now means that Saints go into the final day of the season knowing that a win will guarantee them 7th place, but could bring so much more.
Liverpool could for the first time in their history finish behind Southampton in the league table after failing to beat Chelsea, a full side was put out at Anfield but they trailed for most of the game to an Eden Hazard goal only bringing it level in the 2nd minute of injury time.
But that was too little too late and Saints now know tht if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday they will guarantee a finish in 7th place, although they will have to sweat on United winning the FA Cup for that to mean qualifying for the Europa League again.
But it could get much better if results at Old Trafford and the Hawthorns go our way, both assuming we beat Palace of course.
Firstly if West Ham fail to beat West Brom and Saints despatch Palace then it will be Saints who finish 6th and not the Hammers.
But if Bournemouth do the unthinkable and beat United at Old Trafford then agan a Saints win would see us leapfrog United, this is perhaps not as unbelievable as it sounds, the atmosphere at Old Trafford will be very toxic to say the least, if news comes through that Man City are winning at Swansea City then United's fans will get on the manager and teams back and the Cherries could do us a favour.
Goal difference is not going to count for anything for us, we start with the best of the teams around us, its a simple case of us doing our job, clam the nerves by getting ahead against Palace and in doing so put pressure on West Ham and Manchester United.
It could be a very special day on Sunday, whatever the outcome though it does show that we have had another great season and that we continue to make progress, it does not matter how much money you spend or how many players you lose, it is all about doing things in the right way and we have done that better than most teams this season.
The title might be already in Leicester and the 3 relegation places sorted, but between 2nd and 8th place there are still a lot of changes that could take place and Saints are right in the thick of it.