Everton 2-1 Southampton: Saints lose after poor first half against the Toffees
By Chris Hughes
Southampton suffered their first defeat of the 2018/19 campaign as a solid first 45 from Everton saw the home side to a 2-1 victory.
With Jannik Vestergaard missing the game through illness, the Saints were dangerously fragile in the air once again as Mark Hughes rolled the dice with a four-man defence that saw Stephens and Hoedt start together.
Southampton were undone by a training ground routine from a Leighton Baines free-kick with less than 15 minutes on the clock, as ex-Saints players Morgan Schneiderlin and Theo Walcott linked up with the former tapping home from close range.
Just after the half-hour mark the home side doubled their advantage when new boy Richarlison got onto the end of a Walcott cross to header home smartly – it was his third goal in just appearances for the Toffees.
Southampton clawed one back through Danny Ings ten minutes after the interval with a tap in from close range, but it was the last clear-cut opportunity the Saints got despite a more positive second 45 minutes.
Next. Saints must keep hold of Jan Bednarek. dark
The result means that Marco Silva’s side have four goals and four points to their name from two games, whilst the Saints are yet to get their first win of the season still.
More from Saints Marching
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 2: Arrivals
- Grading the Southampton Transfer Window Part 1: Departures
- It’s time to talk about Gavin Bazunu
- Rain clouds on the horizon? Southampton beat Plymouth Argyle
- A lament for Southampton legend James Ward-Prowse
However once again Mark Hughes’ side were much better after the interval, with Redmond and Ings impressing whilst both Bertrand and Cedric offered some good width from either flank.
The English striker’s positive runs and desire to get involved was noted by supporters as he linked up well with James Ward-Prowse before a tactical shift saw the latter move into the middle off of the right-flank.
However ultimately the Saints desperately missed the aerial dominance which Vestergaard provided last Sunday against Burnley – they’ll need him back for the game against Leicester this coming Saturday.
Everton regularly exploited Southampton’s lack of aerial dominance with Michael Keane alone having three chances to test Alex McCarthy.
Next week the Saints will go up against the towering presence of Harry Maguire, meaning they will be desperate for the Dane to return at the heart of defence.