Dan, like most Saints fans was extremely pleased by the result against the Toffee's, find out what he thought about the game here.

A superb result came for Southampton as they were the dominate side in every aspect of the game in a 4-1 smashing of a lacklustre Everton side who are still manager-less.

The headline of Pellegrino’s team selection was the handing of a place in the starting line-up to Charlie Austin, who hadn’t started in the league under the Argentine this season. Pierre Hojbjerg was another to be given a first start of the season as Oriol Romeu’s suspension and Mario Lemina’s injury left Pellegrino with little choice but to start the young Dane.

Saints could’ve taken the lead early on as Charlie Austin’s volley from a pinpoint Cedric Soares cross unfortunately hit the post.

Momentum continued to build for the hosts who were creating chances and kept most of the ball and eventually they took the lead as Ryan Bertrand found a lone Dusan Tadic in a one-on-one position. The Serbian stayed composed and coolly watched the ball go into the back of the net past Jordan Pickford. Tadic has received a lot of criticism of late so it’s a good sign to see him get a goal and also an assist has he looks to put poor performances behind him.

Chances were continued to be created as there was a penalty shout against Michael Keane as the ball hit the Everton defender’s arm and another when Sofiane Boufal was tripped by Idrissa Gueye, but the winger stayed on his feet. Virgil Van Dijk also could’ve found himself on the scoresheet as his header from a superb Ward-Prowse corner glanced just wide of the post after minimal contact with the ball.

Like plenty of other times this season, Saints rued their missed chances as Everton took their best chance of the game. Gyfli Sigurdsson, who was one of many players with big price tags bought by Everton in the summer, produced a fantastic effort from just outside of the 18-yard box which curled over Fraser Forster and in off of the crossbar. The Icelandic hadn’t yet scored a league goal for Everton until Sunday and it was rather predictable that he’d end his duck against a side that he’s scored against on a couple of recent occasions for Swansea.

After dominating the first half, Saints went out to prove that they deserved to be in the lead which is exactly what they did just seven minutes into the second half as Bertrand was once again influential as his cross was buried into the back of the net via a deflection off the crossbar from Charlie Austin’s header; once again the crossbar in front of the Chapel stand created some magic.

Before the hour mark it was 3-1 to Saints as Austin got his second header of the game from a similar position. After the ball deflected off of an Everton defender, Dusan Tadic did well to reach the ball and put in a fantastic cross for the striker to put Southampton in cruise control.

With very little threat from Everton and few clear-cut chances being created by Southampton, the game fizzled out a bit as neither goal keeper was to be tested leading up to the hosts fourth. A pass from Ward-Prowse found Steven Davis on the edge of the box who curled the ball beautifully into the back of the net past Pickford to make the captain Southampton’s joint-top goal scorer for the season!

On reflection, it was a much-needed win which can hopefully create some momentum over the next few weeks. I’m not really thinking about the midweek trip to Manchester City as a defeat by a few goals is most likely which won’t be down to a lack of quality from Saints but to an excess in it from Guardiola’s team and so the short trip to Bournemouth next Sunday really is a good chance to get six

points in one week! Despite the poorness of Everton, Saints really were superb and if they can produce more performances like that then there shan’t be any worries of relegation!

Photo: Action Images

the_saint added 08:42 - Nov 27 Yes great result and players coming in really have taken there chance the only annoying thing for me was the loudness of the tannoy system as soon as the final whistle went drowning out any songs and vocal appraisals to the players ( but it’s nice change to moan about something else )
0

LordDZLucan added 09:34 - Nov 27 Did we win because we were great or because Everton were so so poor? Time will tell. But a welcome win none the less. One point of criticism - van Dijk seems to be going through the motions. He hardly won a header against Calvert-Lewin all afternoon and he bailed out of a 50-50 situation with Sigurdsson in the build up to the Everton goal. He's clearly not committed to the cause and doesn't want to risk injury. That may cost us in the coming weeks.

0

ChannonFodder added 09:41 - Nov 27 Even recognising the dire display that Everton put on, there were lots of encouraging signs for us. Cedric, Bertrand, Boufal and Tadic looked much more up for it. The ball was passed to feet rather than blootered into nothingness. Austin provided a focal point, Ward-Prowse was involved and productive, and Hojbjerg showed what he can do and why we bought him. Lemina returned, Davis dictated play like he can, van Dijk and Hoedt got 90 minutes together. Forster held on to a cross. Some play was still sloppy, too many giveaways, still a bit too much pointless backward - sideways - fanny around for my taste. Got a bit lucky with the deflection into space for Tadic to cross for Austin's second, at least he chased it down. But 4 - 1. Not every game's going to be that easy, of course; but I'm hoping that a collective lightbulb goes on above the players' and manager's head that, 'Oh yeah, we CAN play that well . Why don't we try that again next time?'.

0

arthurfane added 10:00 - Nov 27 Austin reminded me of Lambert, yesterday. Dominant in the box, and a real target man for crosses. Hojbjerg was exceptional, and has to start alongside Lemina on Wednesday, instead of a slightly sub-par Romeu - think what it would do to PEH's confidence if he was dropped after a performance like that. In fact, I think almost every player played with a swagger against an utterly horrendous Everton outfit. Everton's sub-par performance means I'm not getting carried away, but it's certainly a few steps in the right direction!

1

warrens76 added 10:24 - Nov 27 Austin should be the ne SRL...that's what he is there for, I swear injury included, that had he played every game instead of Redmond we would be 9 points better off..
0

highfield49 added 10:36 - Nov 27 I suspect one or two players picked up injuries during the game and, in particular, VVD, Cedric and Austin might not be risked at Man City. Hojbjerg certainly grasped his opportunity to impress as did JWP so they certainly should get their names on the team sheet midweek. Boufal and Tadic both looked far more confident and some of the passing from all areas of the team was a big step up from the hit and hope we've seen recently. Of course Everton are a team low on confidence and Morgan looked a shadow of his old self, very sad to see, but teams still have to be beaten and we did it in style. And, a last word just for Nick, I bet Everton wish they had Jack and Yoshi on their books right now. Certainly a level above their dismal defenders!

0

SanMarco added 11:31 - Nov 27 I am going to have to learn how to spell Hojbjerg all over again. He was the biggest plus for me. Pushed us forward in a way that Romeu doesn't. Of course, the poor quality of Everton means we shouldn't get carried away but the 'get wingers/full backs down the wing and cross to someone who can head the ball' strategy worked wonders. The question is was it a one off because Everton allowed us into those crossing positions? Other sides won't be so generous. It was an interesting contrast that in the first half Austin missed two very good chances that Gabbi would have scored but in the second took 2 that Gabbi wouldn't have. Are we learning to play to our strengths? Also, a word for Tadic, who was a lot better, and Boufal, who might just be becoming a great player for us. I don't want to be negative on such a good day but I still feel JWP doesn't offer enough other than accurate dead ball kicks. Like Lord Lucan I am wondering about VVD's contribution. We have all written off Weds but Huddersfield made them battle and we can do the same - please.

1

SaintBrock added 13:50 - Nov 28 We have to play Romeu and Davis against City we need wise old heads not callow youth against the best team in world football at the moment and I'm afraid if Lemina is fit enough to start he must get the nod over Hojberg and Ward Prowse. This is a game where every player has to stand up and be counted for every single minute of the full 90 minutes. No time for people still on the way up their learning curves. No change up front either.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Southampton Polls