Southampton 4-1 Everton: Three key players

By Marc Walker | Nov 27, 2017

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Aaron Lennon of Everton is tackled by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 26: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton and Nikola Vlasic of Everton during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary’s Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) /

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Before Saturday, Hojbjerg hadn’t started a Premier League match since May. You’d have been forgiven for thinking he’d been a mainstay in the team after his performance against Everton though.

The Danish midfielder was brought into the team to replace the suspended Oriol Romeu and set about his task brilliantly from the off.

He was strong in the tackle, displayed a great range of passing from deep and looked to drive the team forward at every possible opportunity; a real leader’s performance after so long out of the team.

With Romeu, Mario Lemina and Steven Davis all vying for central midfield roles, the competition in that area is nice to see and can only help the team.