Southampton are back on track. The Saints hammered Everton 3-0 on Saturday, as an own goal from Romelu Lukaku and goals from Graziano Pelle and Maya Yoshida sunk the Toffees.
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Saints had lost five on the spin heading into this match but dominated from start to finish against a poor Everton side as Ronald Koeman’s men were without several starters and named seven academy products in their matchday squad.
Regardless the Saints go marching on as they sit in fifth place on 29 points, while Everton are in 10th on 21 points.
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After an even start to the game both teams failed to create clear cut chances but 10 minutes before the break Southampton should have had a penalty, as Shane Long was booted by Phil Jagielka but only a corner kick was given by the referee.
Ward-Prowse swung in that corner and with Jose Fonte crashing into a crowded box, the ball deflected off Lukaku’s head and into his own net. 1-0 to Saints.
Right before the break Pelle went close from Ryan Bertrand’s cross on the left, as the Italian international got free at the near post but slammed his effort into the side netting.
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However 20 minutes after the break Pelle was not to be denied as Long nodded the ball down to the big Italian and he tucked the ball home under Tim Howard. 2-0 to Southampton. Everton were all over the place at the back as Howard made a superb stop from Fonte’s header as the home side threatened to run away with things, with Lukaku seeing an effort superbly saved by Saints ‘keeper Fraser Forster.
Yoshida added another late in the game as Steven Davis whipped in a superb cross which the Japanese international headed home. 3-0. Game over. It had been for a long time.
LINEUPS
Southampton: Forster, Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand, Reed, Alderweireld, Long (Gape, 89'), Ward-Prowse (Targett, 80'), S Davis, Pelle
Goals: Lukaku, OG (38'), Pelle (65'), Yoshida (82')
Everton: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Besic, Barry, Naismith, Barkley; Eto’o, Lukaku