Jack Wighton stars in Souths’ 20-16 win over Bulldogs after Josh Addo-Carr knocked out in Latrell Mitchell tackle

South Sydney have alleviated the pressure on under-fire coach Jason Demetriou by securing a face-saving 20-16 win over Canterbury.

Staring down the barrel of a fourth straight defeat to start the season, Souths overturned a slender halftime deficit to then hold on for victory at Accor Stadium.

It came on an at-times dramatic Good Friday, with the Bulldogs losing winger Josh Addo-Carr to a sickening 40th-minute concussion.

Charging down the left touchline, Addo-Carr’s head was collected by Latrell Mitchell’s leg as the Rabbitohs fullback came across in cover defence. The incident was not placed on report meaning the Bulldogs could not bring in their 18th man to replace Add-Carr.

At that time the Dogs led 12-10, but Cameron Ciraldo’s men were unable to add any points in the second half.

The win marked only Souths’ fifth in 17 matches, with the club’s form slump dating back to midway through last year when they at one stage sat atop the ladder.

And it was largely done on the back of their dangerous left edge.

Jack Wighton scored a double for the Rabbitohs, while Alex Johnston and Mitchell were also influential.

It was in that fashion South Sydney burst out to an early 10-0 lead, with Mitchell heavily involved early while being jeered by sections of the Canterbury-heavy crowd.

After Tom Burgess scored the Rabbitohs’ first through a gaping hole in the middle, Mitchell and Johnston combined in the lead up to Souths’ second.

Scooping up a long kick from Matt Burton, Mitchell got the ball away to Johnston who found space and helped the Rabbitohs break 80 metres down field.

From the ensuing attacking raid, it was Wighton who bagged his first when he went over at left centre.

And when the Bulldogs took the lead at 12-10, it was Wighton and Johnston who again combined after the break.

Wighton managed to put his winger into space, before he loomed up on the inside in support to score.

Souths resisted several second-half attacking raids, only relenting late after two penalty goals had given them an eight-point buffer.

It was hardly pretty from the Rabbitohs, but it was desperately needed.

Earlier, it had been Canterbury who looked the more dangerous with their own left edge threatening.

Burton scored their first when he hit a deep-running Viliame Kikau, who put Addo-Carr into space before Burton popped up on the inside to score.

Burton also kicked a booming 40-20 in the lead up to the Bulldogs’ second, before Blake Taaffe stepped around Wighton and put on a pinpoint perfect chip-kick for Connor Tracey.

Kurtis Morrin had a chance to put them 18-10 up before the break, but he dropped the ball as he charged over the line.

And from there the Dogs’ attack ran out of gas when it mattered most, leaving both sides with one win from their opening four games.