Southampton 1-2 Everton: Premier League – Three Key Saints players

Danny Ings

A brief ray of sunshine on an otherwise gloomy horizon for the Saints, Ings added his seventh goal of the season in all competitions. As usual, local lad Ings was energetic and keen to make darting runs into the box, whilst his goal was well taken following smart work from substitute Sofiane Boufal.

Yet the underlying problem remains that Ings is being denied decent service and although Armstrong runs gamely throughout (out of position), the lack of creativity from the middle is obvious for all to see. Ings is a threat given his high work rate but given he is also capable aerially, there is not enough quality in the crossing coming from the flanks.

In short Ings is masking some distinctly average play and until Southampton address their inadequacies in the middle, it is hard to see them escaping from the mire.