Southampton 2 – 0 Everton

Southampton maintained their impressive form with a comfortable Premier League victory against a lacklustre Everton at St Mary’s.

Scotland winger Stuart Armstrong opened the scoring just after the break, curling in from 15 yards after Oriol Romeu and Che Adams combined.

Shane Long’s late header – also his first top-flight goal of the campaign – ensured a merited win for Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side, who are now unbeaten in five matches in all competitions.

Until Long struck, Everton retained a slender interest in taking a point largely because of Southampton’s inability to make the most of several excellent chances.

Everton began both halves brightly but quickly faded and the second-half introduction of Dele Alli was unable to provide the necessary spark.

They visitors failed to register a shot on target as their dismal away record continued – they have won only once in 12 games on their travels this season.

Southampton remain 10th in the table while Everton sit 16th, four points above the bottom three.

Southampton appear to be hitting form at the right time to push for a European place or, at worst, a first top-half finish since 2017.

This result, part of an impressive sequence including a victory at Tottenham and draws against both Manchester clubs that could have amounted to more, underlined their upward trajectory.

Aside from the opening periods of both halves Hassenhuttl’s team were completely dominant.

Jan Bednarek and Tino Livramento drew excellent saves from Everton’s England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during a concerted spell of pressure in the first half, while Kyle Walker-Peters clipped the outside of a post.

That largely continued after the break as Armstrong and Long gave Southampton the reward they richly deserved.

-BBC