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

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Marco Silva, Manager of Everton and Mark Hughes, Manager of Southampton look on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on August 18, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /

Hughes to stick with 4 at the back?

After an improvement against Burnley after a switch of formation, Mark Hughes chose a 4-4-2 here to try and get a result.

Whilst it didn’t provide too much more going forward with Saints having just four shots on target throughout the game, it maybe hints at the was the Welshman will set his sides up in upcoming matches.

A role at Right-Midfield was given to James Ward-Prowse where he would try to use his crossing ability to get Danny Ings and Charlie Austin into the game, and he proved to be the most creative Saints players with five key passes (according to whoscored.com).

Selection conundrums remain though with the best defensive and central-midfield partnerships yet to be found it would seem.

The ditching of 3-4-2-1 could see Saints go a little more direct to try and get attackers involved.