Everton put a doubtful start to the new season behind them, defeating Southampton in a classy display at St Mary’s on Saturday.
A brace from Romelu Lukaku before half time set the tone for the remainder of the match, epitomising a clinical display of counter-attacking by the away team.
Ross Barkley’s tidy finish with seven minutes remaining rounded off a jubilant day for Everton after fan unrest and calls for the removal of the club’s board of directors grew louder during the week.
Barkley should have doubled the lead soon after. Slipped in by Lukaku, the 21-year-old was only able to find Maarten Stekelenburg with his side-foot effort from just beyond the penalty spot.
The Saints never really challenged the Blues despite winning much of the statistical battles barring efforts from Sadio Mane that stung the palms of Tim Howard.
The 3-0 scoreline is only Everton’s second win in 22 years on the South Coast and brings their points tally up to four, with Southampton sitting on one.
The Blues face another tough assignment next Sunday as Manchester City visit Goodison Park, while the Saints are tasked with a tricky trip to Watford’s Vicarage Road.
Counter-attacking master class from Everton
Much of the criticism that surrounded the Toffees last season centred on slow ball movement, allowing opposing defences to retreat quickly and stifle attacks.
That issue was put to bed at St Mary’s, with Everton’s opening two goals coming via quick, fluent transitions. The first of Lukaku’s goals saw those in olive green press forward in greater numbers than the retreating Saints, resulting in an overload. A rejuvenated Arouna Kone was able to play a pinpoint delivery from the right, which Lukaku directed across Stekelenburg with a craning header.
In the second instance, Lukaku got possession on half way after the Blues exited defence, laid off to Barkley and pushed up the field. The young Englishman threaded a pass through to the striker who buried his effort.
This fast play brought Martinez’s men much of their success in the 2013-14 campaign and could do so again as they face a challenging month.
A coming of age for Lukaku?
The Belgian striker endured something of a downturn in form last season after joining Everton permanently in a £28 million deal, a club record transfer. Lukaku seemed to feel the weight of expectation, and has since said he “learned a lot” as a player and person in that disappointing campaign.
Still just 22 and with much left to work on, the Anderlecht youth product stepped up to quell much of the negativity that surrounded the club midweek.
Lukaku scored a classic centre-forward’s goal to open the scoring with a smart header 22 minutes in and followed up by doubling the lead just before half time.
Importantly, Lukaku held up play nicely, winning 60% of aerial duels and winning four of five take-ons.
A good day’s work for a player who had an impact both on and off the field – is this the start of a dominant, breakout period?
Lukaku going straight into the crowd to apologise to a Southampton fan he hit with a ball warming up, class act. pic.twitter.com/1xPijs4yl9
— Soccer St. (@SoccerSt_) August 15, 2015
Saints felled by Howard, lack of cutting edge
Ronald Koeman’s team, despite the scoreline, was not without its share of possession and opportunities, with only an end product missing as the Blues made the most of what they created.
Graziano Pelle and Victor Wanyama both sent free headers over the bar from corners and winger Mane was denied twice in impressive fashion by Howard.
The Saints enjoyed the lion’s share of possession with 54% and often had Everton camped deep in their own half, managing 39 crosses to 19. Seven of those were successful, yet could not be capitalised on. The home side also managed 17 shots on goal, yet could steer only four of those on target.
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