Southampton 2-1 Everton: Saints move three points clear of drop zone
By Marc Walker
Southampton moved up to 15th place in Premier League table and three points clear of the relegation zone after a battling 2-1 victory over Everton.
A superb strike from the revitalised James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring shortly after half-time and a bizarre own-goal from Lucas Digne doubled the home side’s lead.
Everton struck back though Gylfi Sigurdsson in stoppage-time but Saints held on to make it three games unbeaten in the league.
Considering that a number of the side had played in the marathon match against Derby County on Wednesday, it was a very lively start to the game from Saints.
High-pressure was being put on Everton players in possession and fast breaks forward were looking dangerous from the home side when they won the ball back.
Next. Saints showing interest in Leipzig duo. dark
Danny Ings – back from injury for today’s game – forced Jordan Pickford into the first important save of the contest.
James Ward-Prowse whipped in a corner to a dangerous area at the front post, allowing Ings to flick a header towards the far corner that visiting keeper did well to push away.
It was Saints that were looking more likely to open the scoring, but Jan Bednarek had to be alert to make a superb block that denied Ademola Lookman as free shot on goal.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men kept pushing forward however and would go closer still to breaking the deadlock before half-time.
Nathan Redmond broke through and clipped the post before a weaving run from Ings saw Andre Gomes divert the ball against the upright again when tracking back to make a challenge.
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
After having the better of the first period, it was important for Saints to keep the pressure firmly on their opponents and get the potentially crucial opening goal – and that’s just what they did.
Ward-Prowse has looked a different player under the new manager and he took full advantage of a loose ball in midfield by bursting forward, holding off a challenge and firing an unstoppable shot into the far corner past Pickford.
The same intensity had been carried into the second-half and they were soon able to double their lead in quite bizarre style in the 64th minute.
Ings played Redmond through on goal again, but the winger had Lucas Digne for company. However, as the Frenchman came across to challenge, he diverted the ball into the very far corner of the net from around 25 yards.
Jack Stephens had a great chance to make it 3-0 with a free header from a corner, but the end to the game was a nervy one as Gylfi Sigurdsson rolled in to half the deficit for Everton into stoppage-time.
Saints held on though and moved up to 15th place in the table and three points clear of the relegation zone.