Three-goal Southampton back to winning ways against poor Everton

Southampton won for the first time in six games with a 3-0 victory over Everton at St Mary’s.

The first half was painfully poor to watch, with both sides lacking the skill to pull off their short-passing approach with anything approaching competence. As a result of that, coupled with adequate defences, there were few chances.

Southampton should have had a penalty when Phil Jagielka punted Shane Long into the air to deal with a high ball, but were awarded a corner instead. From the set-piece, James Ward-Prowse’s delivery flicked off Romelu Lukaku’s shoulder and put Southampton ahead.

In the second half, Southampton built on their lead, and made it two when Graziano Pelle hooked in a header from Long, a chance created by good work down the right from Nathaniel Clyne. Maya Yoshida made it three after a brilliant cross from Steve Davis to end Southampton’s losing streak. Everton were just as bad as they have been for much of the season.

11’ - PELLE MISS: Clyne picks out Pelle just outside the six-yard box, and he heads over the bar.

36’ - PENALTY APPEAL: Long goes down in the box after being cleaned out in the box. The ball runs into the box, Long, gets to it first and Jagielka, aiming for the ball, just boots Long in the air. The referee, inexplicably, gives a corner.

37’ GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Everton. Lukaku scores an own goal: Ward-Prowse curls in a cross, it takes a touch in the box before hitting Lukaku's shoulder - he was hiding from the ball - and it finds the net.

41’ - PELLE MISS NUMBER TWO: Another chance for Pelle. Long finds Bertrand, running to the byline. He chips in a cross to the near post, and Pelle volleys the ball against the side netting.

65’ - GOAL! Southampton 2-0 Everton. Pelle scores: Clyne attacks down the right, he stands up a cross, Long heads down towards Pelle, and he hooks a shot into the corner as Howard rushes out.

68’ - HOWARD SAVE: Ward-Prowse curls in another good cross, Fonte meets it at the back post, and Howard beats it away well.

78’ - FORSTER SAVE: Lukaku wallops a shot towards goal from distance, and Forster tips a shot away that was heading for the top corner.

82’ - GOAL! Southampton 3-0 Everton. Yoshida scores: The corner is cleared, but the ball is worked back to Davis, who flicks a corner into the box with the outside of his right foot, and Yoshida meets the ball to head past Howard unmarked.

90+3’ - FORSTER SAVE: Lukaku turns his man in the box, and fires a shot at goal that Forster blocks with his legs. An impressive end for the keeper.

Southampton won this Premier League fixture 2-0 last season courtesy of two own goals (Alcaraz & Coleman), this time Romelu Lukaku’s own goal proved decisive.

Southampton are undefeated in their last six home games against Southampton in the Premier League.

This was Southampton’s first Premier League win in six Premier League games.

It was also Southampton’s first win in all competitions in seven games.

Southampton may have won today, but they have plenty of tough opposition to come. This winter, Southampton have to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in three of their next four Premier League games. They will be glad to break their losing streak, but unless they get back their injured players soon they may quickly start another.

Shane Long (Southampton): All of Southampton’s players markedly improved in the second half, and none of them played badly, but Long provided an attacking outlet from the start of the match, he assisted Pelle’s crucial goal to calm their nerves, and also should have won a penalty in the first half.

Southampton: Forster 7, Alderweireld 6, Fonte 7, Yoshida 6, Clyne 7, Reed 6, Ward-Prowse 6, S. Davis 6, Bertrand 7, Long 7, Pelle 7. Subs: Targett 6, Gape 6.

Everton: Howard 6, Coleman 5, Distin 6, Jagielka 6, Baines 5, Besic 6, Barry 5, Barkley 6, Naismith 6, Eto'o 5, Lukaku 6.