Was this two points dropped or a point gained, its hard to tell at this stage of the season, only time will tell.

Saints fans arrived at St mary's unsure of what would happen, in the end the protests didnt get out of hand and the fans remained supportive of the team, however there were shows of support for Nigel Adkins both at the start of the game and midway in the second half in particular which where taken up by large sections of the ground and hinted that if Saints were to go a gaol down it had the potential to turn nasty.

But a hearty performance from the team helped prevent any crowd unrest, for the players on the pitch they continued where they left off in the second half against Chelsea and put in 100% effort, the next big question though will be whether that team spirit has been dented by recent events, was last night a one off with the squad doing it for Nigel so to speak, or is it a case of business as usual for the players.

Mauriccio Pochettino for his part kept the staus quo, understandably restoring Rickie Lambert to the starting line up with the needs of the game being different to those at Chelsea and Saints put in a blistering first half performance that should have seen a goal, the second half was more even, but Saints always seemed to be the side more likely to score and Everton didnt appear to want to get into top gear, preferring to hold and look for the chances on the break, this they almost did on a couple of occasions, the first when Jelavic missed his kick with an open goal at his mercy and the second when Boruc saved well when Anichebe burst through.

But perhaps on one count this was a good point for Saints, Everton dont lose many games on the road and are tight and well disciplined, they came and did their job and Saints held firm and did theirs, although it should be noted and im sure our new manager did, that again as the two aforementioned chances showed, a tight performance at the back was still marred with lapses that could have cost us goals.

But the first reaction of many was the disapointment of not getting all three points, it would have made the league table that much better reading, but overall with all things considered this was perhaps a good point, we still have a lot to do before survival in the Premier League is assured and this was only a small step in that direction, as I said at this moment in time we really dont know whether the sacking of Nigel Adkins will turn out to be a disaster or the great step forward the Club PR would have you believe, only time and the next few months will show us that, but the foundations are there and give us that strength and we should never forget who put them into place, thanks to both Alan Pardew and Nigel Adkins

Photo: Action Images

tiptop added 09:56 - Jan 22 Everton were def under par. We should have really seized the opportunity presented and taken 3 points.
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stmichael added 10:09 - Jan 22 They were'nt under par they were simply outplayed. Nothing you can do when a team gets on top of you like that. They improved 2nd half as you would have expected. Very important if you can win to make sure you get a point. They all add up. We will all win a few but its those that lose the most will be relegated. Im happy with the point.
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slynch added 10:17 - Jan 22 The players looked like professionals last night and not the enthusiastic amateurs of before. MP has them playing with strength and a steely resolve that forced a top side into retreat. NC's actions recently has shown the PL that Saints is not a quaint club down South that can provide some entertainment for the supporters between proper games of football; and while Moyes, Le Tiss and Owen bleat on about Adkins, a force to be reckoned-with is gonna shake up their cosy world. If all this could have been achieved over the summer then Saints would be up there now - perhaps all the ducks were not in a row then; perhaps NC was a little too soft.

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grampy added 10:26 - Jan 22 The team responded very well last night. Following Nigel's shabby treatment so much negativity from the the fans and national media must have made it difficult for them. There was an opportunity last night to put Nigel in the programme with a thank you but that was never going to happen. However it was probably a point well won in the end. The team pretty well picked itself apart from Rodigues or Guly. It is now going to be interesting to see who else comes in because the bench last night was very lightweight and there were no options to make an impact to go on and win the game in the last half hour. I am sure that will change over the next 10 days.

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SaintJez added 10:47 - Jan 22 Probably a fair point last night. Was pleasing that MP showed humility and didn't make radical changes to the starting line up in an attempt to put his own stamp on affairs. Instead, he picked the same team I think Adkins would have played for this game and, in the first half especially, we were great. Every player looked sharp and keen to impress. Good to see! Clearly we should have been a couple up at half time. 2nd half a bit more concerning as fatigue seemed to set it across much of the team with the notable exceptions of Spider, Cork and Shaw who were all magnificent. In fact, I don't think there's a many teams in the league that Spider would not get in right now. He's really developing into a class act. I'd be amazed if Wenger wasn't taking a close interest as Arsenal are crying out for an enforcer who can play a bit too (and he's french!...) Am surprised that Ramirez went down with cramp before the 70 minute mark and basically asked to be subbed off. Needs to be fitter, although he did work very hard first half. Lambert also struggled with the pace 2nd half but he gave both centre halves a hell of a game physically and clearly showed his worth - will regret those misses though! I understand MP is a fitness freak so our boys will likely have a few days in Barcelona ahead of them! All in... decent signs, even if it was pretty much Adkins team, formation and tactics and the manager's post match interview in Spanish was a little embarrassing. Not for what the interpreter said he said .. that all sounded great... but are we a club on the search for an inspirational interpreter to motivate our players?? Step forward Mr Mourinho!..... (I wish).

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scummerlou added 10:49 - Jan 22 Probably a good point after the weekends events, with both the Fans and the Players focusing on the important thing being Southampton Football Club. Could have been 3 points with one of the best first half displays this season. A combination stamdard of finishing and good goalkeeping from Tim Howard kept the scores level when we could and probably should have been 3 up....but I disagree with you Nick wrt the second half when I thought Everton changed their pattern of play and went more direct particularly when Anichebe was brought on in place of the injured Coleman. He seemed to be able to turn and run off MY too easily and we seemed to allow Baines to come into the match during this period. I would have liked to see either Chaplow or Richardson brought on instead of J-Rod to help NC over on the right flank.... But the break in play helped us as it seemed to break the Toffees flow, and we finished the stronger side. So a good point which keeps the momentum gathering points, and now the MP will have a good few days to pass across his ideas to the players. The Wigan game will be another big 6 pointer for us.. COYR

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scummerlou added 10:51 - Jan 22 On a slightly lighter note.....MP and Mike Yarwood...looky likey ???
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CovSaint added 11:32 - Jan 22 scummerlou, in the widely viewed youtube video of MP bringing Michael Owen crashing down in the 2002 World Cup match v. Argentina, I thought he looked more like Neil from 'The Young Ones'....
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ExiledSupporter added 12:03 - Jan 22 Yes, in the circumstances a very good performance. I think most fans would have settled for a point before the match started given the circumstances and Everton's record this season, so a little disappointed at the end given that we could have won it if we had taken our chances. Agree that MS was our man of the match again, but only just because there were quite a few contenders. I hope he stays as Captain, much more able to lead from the front and by example than AL. Hope GR is not going to become a 75% of the match player, that makes him even more expensive. Nevertheless he plays with his head up more than any other of our players. Commendation for GdP too whose work rate was excellent and also demonstrates vision at times; pity he seems to have lost the knack of scoring goals this season. I liked the way that all our players put their foot in when necessary to contest 50:50 balls breaking up Everton's movements. Sadly I cannot agree with slynch's comments which are typically off the wall - whether it be Scneiderlein should be dropped, the whole midfield should be replaced, or more recently that Adkins deserved the sack! Outrageous. Nothing that happened last night had much to do with MP's arrival, but everything to do with NA's legacy and the squad ethos that he fostered. As Nick rightly says a continuation of the momentum most recently demonstrated at Chelsea comprising a run of 12 league matches with only two defeats. The team sheet was pretty much exactly what NA would have chosen as was the formation. Not that either manager would have had much in the way of alternatives. Dear slynch I will always defend your right to say the absurd and propound weird perspectives, it really gives me a good laugh, but beware of becoming a parody of yourself

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Bulgarian added 13:31 - Jan 22 And let's not forget Artur Boruc's contribution! If some suggested that Villa's game was his best, what should we say then about last night? Without instisting he was outstanding, indeed he dealt with everything he had to very calmly. And his one-on-one, saved instinctly with the right hand not only saved us a point, but showed a piece of GK brilliance, quite rare this season at the club. So is our GK dilemma solved - until May Boruc will be definitely the No 1 if, of course, we don't add a big name in the coming week, which I rather doubt.

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bstokesaint added 13:33 - Jan 22 I find it rather bizarre that we have played "below par" Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton sides in recent games. They are the words of the pundits by the way. We're either a very lucky team or maybe it's just that we're rather good at suffocating other sides and stopping them play.. Morgan was absolute class last night and together with Cork, bossed the midfield. Shaw and Clyne were as tenacious and effective as always, and there was no shortage of endeavour from Yoshi and the frontmen in Guly and Ramirez, who both put in a number of tackles. I'll be always be grateful to Nigel for what he has given us, but fair play to the boys for carrying on so professionally without him at the helm.Another positive is Boruc did well again. It will be a relief if we end up with a steady number 1. I don't think a point against a top 6 side is too disappointing. Something from the next couple of games will have to be well earned again though.

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landsdownsaint added 13:38 - Jan 22 The starting eleven is our strongest squad IMO,we dominated that first half because we pressed Everton,they came up a side who were working for each other ,2nd half the legs went a bit but all in all a great point,Everton won't play many teams that come at them like we did 1st half...btw Guly ran himself into the ground,a good performance by him again ,he's one player that really is trying to rid his lazy image

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StSaint added 13:55 - Jan 22 Feels like a big relief to get that game out of the way, and had Rickie been his usually deadly self then we would have been out of sight by half time. I get a bit miffed when the press continuously goes on about anyone we play having the worst performance of the season - do people not realise that is because we don't allow them to??! Now that the dust has settled I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the season pans out and am quite optimistic. Like the idea of a high temp pressing game and having no fear when playing the big boys. I'm dreaming of a win at Old Trafford!!

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Whatsforpud added 14:49 - Jan 22 We seem to be getting to the point where we can match most teams now, even if we can't beat them. The passing is crisp, and we are able to get out of tight corners with ease as players are moving well off the ball. Guly played well, but Lallana will be more of a threat on goal. Exactly a point a game still - that would surely see us OK. Cortese has his greater ambitions -in the previous Premier life I have just wanted to be there the following season. If more is demanded, let it be with greater patience with the manager. Everton is a good example.

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thegeneral added 18:57 - Jan 22 Pretty much agree with all thats been said, i would only add that last nights game was crying out for Llallana and perhaps the run of draws is because we're missing that little bit of extra quality to create a goal. Only other noticeable thing last night is how weak our bench is. Thought Boruc was excellent as well.
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darthvader added 11:03 - Jan 23 re-posted here appoligies if you have already read this i cant get to every game but when i do im normally a northam enderer , i had an unexpected free seat in the itchen, close to the home dug out ,a friend couldnt make it so gave me there seat . Anyway i was very happy with our performance not so happy with the refs seemed to be looking after everton players . When a couple of time Curlylocks didn't get his own way he looked at the ref as if asking him to blow for a foul , and he got it. shame about the chances we missed but at least we were in the right place for the chances if you know what i mean . 3 or 4 up by half time if we took them ? the whole team were excellent the new manager and his team of interpreters look like they know what they are doing , and we seemed to play more prem like . the crowd were great , showed respect to our Nige and also to the new guy .i forsee that gaston and guly will thrive with him in charge , maya is quality now and doesnt take any shite from anyone, love Punchys "shitbreak" moment . After friday i was in complete disgust at what had happened to Nigel i almost hated sfc for about 48hours and pretty sickoned that he didnt even get a mention in the programme ?! , it took monday nights performance to make me love and adore my club again . not that i will ever forget . In summary a very enjoyable (but bloody cold)point gained against a quality team in 5th pos.

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