Southampton continued their disappointing defensive start to the 2015-16 season, conceding three goals at home to a lively Everton side.
Both sides came into the game having started their respective campaigns in disappointing fashion. The visiting side were the only ones to find any joy in this encounter, starting the game brighter and remaining on top after scoring the opening goal from a counter-attack through £28 million man Romelu Lukaku.
The big Belgian scored a second before the break, allowing the Toffees to settle into a defensive second half.
The Saints did not have enough to unlock the defence and Barkley added a deserved goal late in what was one of few attacking highlights for the visitors in the second period.
Southampton
Maarten Stekelenburg – 6: Was not heavily involved in the game. Most of his touches came from picking the ball out of his net.
Matt Targett – 6: The young left-back looked promising going forward at times but had his work cut out defensively, dealing with a lively Koné and his influence going forward quickly faded.
Maya Yoshida – 5: Very tentative in some tackles being outmuscled and allowing himself to be taken out of the play.
José Fonte – 5.5: The Southampton skipper could not handle the movement of the Toffees’ attacking players and had a disappointing day out despite a few well timed tackles.
Cédric Soares – 7: Offered the most going forward of the Saints’ back line and would have been disappointed not to have seen more made of some of the good crosses he played in. Defended well.
Steven Davis – 6: Did not really offer any creative spark to kick off any attacks. Allowed far too much space in between defence and midfield for the Everton forwards to move around in.
Victor Wanyama – 6: Did not offer the same hard tackling defensive cover that has become expected of the defensive midfielder. Had no impact on the proceedings in an attacking sense.
Shane Long –5: Looked uncomfortable on the left-hand side of the park and held onto the ball too long in situations where quick ball movement could have opened up a tight Everton defence.
Sadio Mané – 7: The most threatening attacking player for his side. Saw a good shot saved by Howard in the first half. Lively until the closing stages, the Senegalese winger was the only real bright spark.
Dusan Tadić – 5.5: A disappointing performance that saw him substituted at half time. Poor final delivery on multiple occasions and unable to get any separation in dangerous areas from the young Brendan Galloway.
Graziano Pellè – 6.5: The Italian striker would be disappointed with his shift as the point of Southampton’s attack. Positioned himself well and was able to create space in a very compact Everton defence with his movement. Was given good opportunities but failed to threaten the goal.
Substitutes
Oriol Romeu – 6: Brought on for Dusan Tadic at half time. Looked comfortable on debut as he attempted to sure up midfield defensively.
Jay Rodriguez – 5.5: Substituted on in the 72nd minute for Shane Long.
James Ward-Prowse – 5.5: Introduced in 79th minute for Steven Davis.
Everton
Tim Howard – 7: Solid throughout the 90 minutes, though did nott have an abundance of work to do. Made a telling save in the first half to deny Mané.
Brendan Galloway – 7: Offered very little in attack but was solid in defence. Dealt well with both Tadić in the first half and Mane in the second.
Phil Jagielka – 8: Fantastic in marshalling the young Everton defence that had only a few dozen more senior games combined than the 32-year-old has for Everton alone. Positioned himself excellently to allow no room for Pellè when the ball was crossed in.
John Stones – 7.5: Another good performance from the young centre-half, tackling strongly and allowing the Saints’ forward players no space in dangerous positions.
Séamus Coleman – 7.5: Not overly tested defensively by Long nor Rodriguez but allowed no significant action for the Southampton attack down their left side of the pitch. Constant attacking, providing no rest for the opposition’s defence, overloading Targett on occasion.
James McCarthy – 6.5: Broke up a few Southampton attacks in the middle of the park and got himself on the ball in dangerous areas up the park. Guilty of losing possession cheaply a number of times in the second half.
Gareth Barry – 6.5: Characteristically good cover in front of the defence. Like his midfield partner McCarthy, did not hold possession well in the second half.
Tom Cleverly – 6: Seemed uncomfortable being played out of position at left-flank and drifted too central in a few instances. Butchered a golden opportunity from the follow up to Barkley’s saved shot in the first half.
Ross Barkley – 8: Still plagued by a tendency to hang onto the ball too long at times in the attacking third but looked far more threatening in this game. A goal and assist to his name, Barkley had a major impact on the course of the game.
Arouna Koné – 7: Instrumental in the first 45, putting in a brilliant cross for Lukaku’s first goal. Played a little wider than he is used to, but the number nine added a directness to the Toffee’s forward line.
Romelu Lukaku – 9: Could not put a foot wrong in this match, his pace and strength always problematic for the Saints’ defence. Showed his threat in the opening stages of the match, almost earning a penalty and reaching half time with a brace.
Substitutes
Steven Naismith – 6: Substituted on for Arouna Koné in the 80th minute.
Tyias Browning – N/A: Substituted on for Brendan Galloway in the 88th minute.
Gerard Deulofeu – N/A: Substituted on for Romelu Lukaku in the 89th minute.
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