Southampton vs Everton. Premier League.
St. Mary's StadiumAttendance31,312.
Match report and free highlights as Southampton earn a deserved 2-0 win over Everton at St Mary's; Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long score in second half to extend Saints' unbeaten run in the Premier League to four matches; Everton are 16th in the table, four points above the relegation zone
Saturday 19 February 2022 21:29, UK
Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long scored rare Premier League goals to give Southampton a deserved 2-0 win over a disappointing Everton at St Mary's.
Southampton, now unbeaten in nine home league games, took the lead when Armstrong finished off a bright attacking move seven minutes into the second half (52), before substitute Long headed in to secure the points with his first touch (84).
Both players ended long Premier League goal droughts. Armstrong's previous strike came in April 2021, while Long last scored in February 2020.
The result continues Southampton's fine run. They are unbeaten in four Premier League games and have lost just once in 11 matches in all competitions. Ralph Hasenhuttl's side stay 10th.
Despite some promising build-up play early on from Everton, they never looked like threatening in the final third. Southampton dominated in every area of the field, registering 19 shots in total. The visitors failed to have one on target.
Frank Lampard thought he had generated lift-off with a 3-0 home thumping of Leeds last weekend, but the former Chelsea boss will need no telling that this loss - and a disappointing performance overall - leaves his team still flirting with a relegation battle. They stay 16th, four points above the drop zone.
"I think it's really clear isn't it? The position we're in in the table is clear, it's not something we have to debate," Lampard said when asked if Everton are in a genuine tussle to stay up.
"As a team and staff we just have to work on getting results to improve our position.
"When we won last week things looked a lot better and we've lost today and it looks worse."
Everton started brightly but Southampton soon took control of the game, stifling their opponents with a far more aggressive midfield approach. James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu's mix of industry and ingenuity, as well as Kyle Walker-Peters' enthusiasm down the left flank, restricted the away side to very little after the opening 15 minutes.
Allan was booked for a desperate scything challenge in a bid to assert some authority for the visitors, then conceded a dangerous free-kick on the edge of his own area. Ward-Prowse hit the target with a trademark whipped strike, but Jordan Pickford was able to tip the ball around the post.
Tino Livramento was as stunned as the home crowd to see his flick rebuffed at point-blank range by Pickford next, from Ward-Prowse's smart corner. Jan Bednarek then met Romeu's teasing cross with a thumping header, but Pickford was there again to save before the offside flag went up.
The opening of the half fell to Walker-Peters, who picked his spot and drilled goalwards. His rasping strike beat Pickford but skimmed the outside of the post.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin nodded home straight after the break as Everton started quickly again, but the England striker was comfortably offside.
Southampton kept their heads though and Armstrong's measured finish finally rewarded their dominance. Everton lost the ball in midfield and Romeu drove forward before passing to Che Adams. The Scotland forward then laid the ball off to his international team-mate who drilled home a smart finish to beat Pickford at his near post.
The hosts could easily have doubled their lead moments later, but Adams' flick from Ward-Prowse's inch-perfect ball nestled straight into the Everton goalkeeper's gloves.
Mohamed Elyounoussi nodded another unplayable Ward-Prowse free-kick onto the crossbar with Pickford standing no chance, as Southampton sought to sustain their control. Their dominance never wavered, and late replacement Long nodded home a match-sealing second with his first touch after replacing Armando Broja, who impressed again.
The three points see Southampton cement themselves in 10th place in the Premier League table and after the match, Ralph Hasenhuttl hailed his team's extra gear.
"This win was much harder than it might seem in the result," he said.
"The first half was very tough against an opponent full of energy.
"We played against the wind in the first half, and we couldn't speed up the game after winning the ball.
"But the belief is absolutely there, we are convinced in our qualities and we were able to bring that quality in the second half.
"We had another gear in the second half, after the first goal you could see a difference.
"We were more dominant in the second half and this is exactly the way we want to play."
Everton slipped to their second defeat in three league encounters under new boss Frank Lampard, who insists his side must accept and embrace their relegation battle.
"I don't think we have to deny our position. Our league position explains a lot and is one of the reasons I'm here," he said.
"It's my job to find the reasons why this has happened.
"When we have been great we have backed ourselves, but the minute games turn against us there can be a mentality issue for the players.
"And I can totally understand confidence issues, but the only way to come out of that is through work and application.
"We are focused on the job in hand. We have to have a belief in what we're doing, the home games have shown that.
"It's just very clear what's in front of us. There's never a magic wand, but we're very understanding of the situation.
"We've addressed a lot in terms of the way we want to play, but there's still things you can't change instantly.
"Today was really eye-opening in the second half, of where we are and where we want to get to.
"It felt like reverting to type a little bit after we conceded, and I want to change that. So, there's lots to learn for us."
Back at left-back following the return of Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker-Peters was Southampton's standout performer and will feel unfortunate to have left St Mary's without a goal.
The 24-year-old's attacking performance was superb. Everton could not find a way to stop his relentless runs forward and had it not been for an inspired Jordan Pickford - and the post - he would be walking away with his name on the scoresheet.
Walker-Peters arrived at Southampton on an initial loan deal from Tottenham in January 2020 before his move was made permanent that summer on a five-year contract.
It was excellent business from Southampton. He has elevated his game to new levels under Ralph Hasenhuttl and is now an established Premier League full-back.
Sky Sports' Dan Sansom:
Southampton are reaping the rewards of sticking with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
The Austrian has overseen two 9-0 Premier League defeats since taking charge at the end of 2018, but Saturday's convincing win over Everton saw his side extend their unbeaten run in the league to four matches. In all competitions, they have lost just once in 11.
Apart from the opening 10 minutes, Southampton dominated and could have scored more had it not been for an inspired Jordan Pickford in goal. The hosts had 19 shots, with 11 of those on target.
"The belief is absolutely there, we are convinced in our qualities," said Hasenhuttl.
Saturday's victory came after an impressive win at Tottenham and draws against both Manchester clubs. Southampton are growing in confidence and undoubtedly on an upward trajectory. They are playing some of the best football in the division.
Sky Sports' Dan Sansom:
Everton boss Frank Lampard thought he had generated lift-off with last weekend's 3-0 home win over Leeds in his third match in charge, but he will not need reminding that his side's dismal showing at Southampton on Saturday keeps them well and truly in a relegation battle.
"I think it's really clear isn't it? The position we're in in the table is clear, it's not something we have to debate," he said afterwards.
Despite starting brightly at St Mary's, his side never really looked like scoring. They finished the match without a single shot on target.
Everton's haul of 22 points from their first 23 games in the Premier League this season is their worst tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1950-51, when they also had 22 and were relegated.
They are currently four points above 18th-placed Watford with a game in hand. Lampard has work to do at Goodison Park.
Southampton host Norwich at St Mary's on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 8pm.
Up next for Everton is a Saturday Night Football clash with Manchester City at Goodison Park, live on Sky Sports; kick-off 5.30pm.
