Everton 2-1 Southampton 18/08/18: Three Key Takeaways

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton tackles Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on August 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton tackles Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on August 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton tackles Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on August 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Wesley Hoedt of Southampton tackles Gylfi Sigurdsson of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on August 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Southampton fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Everton on Saturday despite Danny Ings’ first goal for the club.

Two first-half strikes from Theo Walcott and Richarlison had put the Toffees 2-0 ahead at the break, but Ings’ poachers effort on 54 minutes gave the Saints some hope.

However, Mark Hughes’ side never seemed to get a strong foothold in the game, and a positive result would drift away from them in the latter stages at Goodison Park.

A switch to a 4-4-2 line-up was a positive move by Hughes but would produce only four shots on target throughout the 90 minutes.

Here are three key takeaways that can be taken from Saints’ second Premier League match: