Sunday 27 November 2016 20:56, UK
Everton manger Ronald Koeman has said he is worried about his side after they lost 1-0 to Southampton on Sunday.
Just 41 seconds into the game, Charlie Austin was left to head home from point-blank range and make it an unhappy return for the Dutchman, who spent two years with the South Coast club before leaving this summer.
The visitors lost possession almost immediately before Southampton's impressive one-touch football led to debutant Josh Sims teeing up Austin. They thereafter struggled to impose themselves, highlighting the extent of the challenge Koeman accepted when leaving the south coast.
"I'm not worried about results, I'm worried about what I see on the pitch," said the Dutchman
"We had a kick-off and lost the ball after two or three passes and it ended with a goal. It's incredible."
"That's not the way you should start and it makes it difficult. The whole first half was not good. We had some problems with the strikers and that's strange because we know how they play."
When asked on the performances of Romelu Lukaku and Ross Barkley, Koeman said: "Not good enough, like everybody. We were not good enough as a team."
Despite an improved showing after the break, Everton failed to really trouble Fraser Forster's goal and they will be grateful to their own goalkeeper, Maarten Stekelenburg, who produced a number of stops, notably from James Ward-Prowse.
"It wasn't our day. We played well in the second half. We took a risk and brought on offensive players. They had chances to kill the game but we were dangerous. It just wasn't the day for an equaliser."
Southampton handed a debut to 19-year-old Sims and his performance earned him the man-of-the-match award, but Koeman was in no mood to dish out praise.
"I wasn't aware of Josh Sims when I was here and he is not my problem; I work for Everton and not Southampton.
"It was nice to see nice people back at Southampton but the result is not good. It was disappointing. I have very good memories of Southampton but losing today is disappointing."
