This afternoon Southampton’s first-half performance saw them fall to a defeat Everton. Despite a goal in the second 45 from Danny Ings, the home side saw out the win.
With Marco Silva in charge at Goodison Park for the first time, the Toffees were odds-on favourites to come out as victors against the Saints, and were helped over the line thanks to their fast start to the game.
Theo Walcott scored after just 15 minutes from a smart set-piece move before Richarlison scored his third goal in two Everton appearances around the half-hour mark, as the home side capitalized on another poor start from the Saints.
Mark Hughes’ side were more impressive after the break and Danny Ings gave Southampton a glimmer of hope when he scored a tap-in after 54 minutes. Ultimately however, the Saints struggled to create a lot on the front foot and went on to lose 2-1.
With Jannik Vestergaard out through illness the Saints were scarily fragile at the back and in the air, something which the home side exploited consistently.
Whilst it’s far too early to look too deep into proceedings as they stand, the Saints are currently 13th with the loss whilst Everton are fourth, with four points to their name.
But what three players impressed the most from the defeat this afternoon?