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Southampton vs Everton: Three Takeaway Thoughts after Saints’ win

By Alastair Case

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton after his sides 2-0 win during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 25: Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton after his sides 2-0 win during the Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Southampton, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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Southampton’s English midfielder James Ward-Prowse (L) celebrates (Photo by ANDY RAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
Southampton’s English midfielder James Ward-Prowse (L) celebrates (Photo by ANDY RAIN/AFP via Getty Images) /

On the anniversary of the worst defeat in Southampton’s recent history, Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side rose magnificently to the occasion by beating league leaders Everton two nil.

In doing so, they removed a Leicester shaped albatross from around their neck.

Apart from the opening 20 minutes, this was an unusually one sided affair. Whilst Everton were far from the impressive levels displayed in their recent fixtures, Saints allowed their opponents no time to settle and prohibited the in-form Calvert-Lewin from making a meaningful impact.

Goals from skipper James Ward-Prowse and Che Adams put the home side in the ascendancy, before a red card for a clumsy effort from Lucas Digne reduced the Toffees to ten men for the second time in consecutive games.

Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy will have anticipated a busy afternoon with Calvert-Lewin, James and Sigurdsson amongst those named on the Everton team sheet. However, he was given very little to do, as his back four, shielded by the excellent Ward-Prowse and Romeu, limited the Everton offensive line to mere scraps.

Although there were half-hearted laments from the Southampton camp at full time that they could have scored more, the reality is that this was one of the most complete and accomplished performances seen from Saints over the last few seasons.

Fluency and free flowing build up play went hand in hand with patience and professionalism. It has been a remarkable transformation since that oft quoted scoreline from last year and credit should go to Hasenhuttl, the squad and perhaps most of all, the Southampton hierarchy for persevering with their Austrian maestro.

Here are three of the takeaways from yesterday’s game: