Southampton beat Everton 1-0 at St Mary’s on Saturday as Adam Armstrong scored late on and Aaron Ramsdale came up with a big save as Saints finally have their first win back in the Premier League.
Relief and celebration were in the air in equal measure at St Mary’s, as Southampton last won in the Premier League in March 2023 and had gone 22 games without victory in England’s top-flight.
Armstrong scored in the 85th minute to send the home fans wild and that winning goal came just moments after Beto rattled the crossbar for Everton. Before that Ramsdale had denied Michael Keane brilliantly and in the 89th minute Beto scored but VAR confirmed he was offside as the goal was ruled out.
The victory sparked wild scenes of celebration at the final whistle as Russell Martin got his first win as a Premier League manager as Southampton have four points on the board.
Everton sit on nine points as Sean Dyche’s side lost by the narrowest of margins.
Saints finally find some luck as Ramsdale proves his worth
It wasn’t pretty, at all, but Southampton grabbed their first win of the Premier League season to ease the pressure on Russell Martin. Late collapses at home against Leicester and Ipswich had left Saints fans wondering if they were cursed but lady luck was on their side against Everton. Big time. When so many Premier League games are this tight, sometimes being lucky is better than being good. Late on Beto hit the crossbar from three yards out and 20 seconds later the ball was in the net at the other end through Armstrong as Saints made the most of their reprieve. For most of this season they’ve been the team missing big chances and then being hit with a sucker punch. Add in Beto being marginally offside to deny Everton a late, late equalizer and it was just Saints’ day. It was also Aaron Ramsdale’s day, as the England international got his first clean sheet since joining Southampton from Arsenal. That was a huge deal for him, and Ramsdale is on a huge deal at Saints as their marquee player. This will do his confidence the world of good and Saints’ attractive, open style of play means Ramsdale will get plenty of reps this season. His brilliant low save to deny Michael Keane at the back post was pivotal and he celebrated that like he scored a goal. He taunted Everton’s forwards as they tried to clatter into him as he claimed a cross deep into stoppage time and Ramsdale is back in his happy place. So are Saints who will be hoping their lucky has finally turned.
Southampton vs Everton player ratings - Via FotMob.com
What’s next?
Southampton head to Wolves next Saturday, November 9 in a massive game before the international break. Everton head to West Ham on the same day.
How to watch Southampton vs Everton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11am ET Saturday (November 2)
Venue: St Mary’s Stadium — Southampton
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming: Watch online via NBC.com
Southampton vs Everton final score: 1-0
Armstrong 85'
Southampton vs Everton live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Southampton 1-0 Everton
It was not pretty at all but Southampton have their first win of the Premier League season. The new boys dug deep and scored their one big chance, while Everton were denied by Aaron Ramsdale and hit the bar as the game was so tight. What a huge moment in the season that might be for Southampton.
Beto has the ball in the back of the net... but VAR checks and he’s offside
Unbelievable touch and finish from Beto as he makes the most of a long ball over the top. He thinks he’s scored but VAR takes a very long look at it and he just went early. His left knee is offside. It was a lot closer than it looked in real-time. Real drama late on.
Armstrong gives Saints the lead late on!
Saints go straight up the other end and Sugawara picks out Armstrong to finish. St Mary’s goes wild. What a crazy 20 seconds that was.
Everton smash the crossbar with a header!
A free kick to the back post is knocked back to Beto. He heads it against the bar from three yards out.
Harrison, Mangala go close for Everton
The Toffees are having a real go now. A cross from the left catches out the entire Saints defense and Rasmdale comes out. Jack Harrison can’t direct his effort on goal. Everton should finish that. Moments later Mangala wins the ball back after Saints give it away cheaply but his effort is wild and off target.
VAR check for a possible red card on Bednarek
No red card for Bednarek as he takes out Beto who was running towards goal. Harwood-Bellis was just around on the cover but that all came from Saints not clearing properly. From that free kick Ramsdale pushes it away for a corner.
Big save from Aaron Ramsdale to deny Michael Keane
Wow. What a stop from Ramsdale. A ball to the back post finds Keane and he heads it down and it’s going in but Ramsdale gets down to save it. Keane then jumps in as it hits the post and goes wide. Wow. What a save. Ramsdale celebrates like he’s scored a goal.
Dibling is on and sets up a chance straight away
Teenager Tyler Dibling comes on to a huge ovation from the home fans. He’s involved right away as he drives towards goal and sets up Armstrong who crosses for Aribo but his header is saved by Pickford.
Harwood-Bellis shot blocked by Tarkowski
A Saints free kick to the near post drops to Harwood-Bellis, who has been in great goalscoring form, and his shot is on target but Tarkowski blocks and it’s out for a corner. That comes to nothing but the home fans are in good voice again. Just over 30 minutes to go.
Ramsdale saves from Mangala
Everton have their first shot on target as the ball is cut back to Mangala but Ramsdale gets enough on it and it goes out for a corner kick which he claims. Better from Everton.
Lallana off at half time with Aribo on
Veteran Adam Lallana is off at half time for Southampton, with Joe Aribo on for him in central midfield. That makes sense. Lallana was being targeted by Everton with their press in midfield and Aribo is just as good on the ball but provides some extra strength and drive.
Half time: Southampton 0-0 Everton
That was a very close first half between two teams playing very differently. Saints had the better chances with some nicely constructed attacks but Everton look pretty dangerous on the counter. It’s evenly poised after an intriguing, tense first 45.
So close to an opener for Saints! Twice!
Downes is free again and marauding forward. He finds Adam Armstrong on the right and his cross is just pushed away by Pickford as Manning can’t get on the end of it at the back post. Much better from Southampton who have stretched Everton late in this first half. From a corner soon after Harwood-Bellis heads towards goal at the back post but his effort is down and wide.
Archer drags a shot just wide
Southampton were knocking the ball around in their own box and then opened the game up with one turn and pass from Flynn Downes and Cameron Archer is in. From a tight angle Ashley Young did just enough to put him off as Archer’s shot across goal was just wide of the far post. Best chance of the game so far, and that kind of play is exactly what Saints are trying to do under Russell Martin.
Ndiaye’s impact is growing
After winning a corner he gets it short but blasts way over the bar. That said, Everton looking sharper on the counter and are winning the midfield battle and lots of second balls.
Decent start from the hosts but Everton look sharp on the counter
As expected, Southampton have dominated possession and have had some lovely touches around the box as they try to open Everton up. But Everton have looked good on the counter and forced Saints to lose the ball on the edge of their own box but couldn’t make anything of it.
Southampton lineup
Ramsdale; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Downes, Lallana; Armstrong, Fernandes, Manning; Archer
Everton lineup
Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Gueye, Mangala; Ndiaye, McNeil, Lindstrom; Calvert-Lewin
Southampton team news, focus
Saints have so many players in their squad and Russell Martin has been trying everyone to try and get rhythm in attack. Expect Adam Lallana to start in midfield to use his experience, while Cameron Archer has been a real threat up top in recent weeks with two goals in his last three appearances in the league and he also hit the bar at Man City last weekend. Aaron Ramsdale needs to step up and grab a shutout as Southampton’s defensive must improve if they’re going to stay in the top-flight.
OUT: Gavin Bazunu (Achilles), Ross Stewart (muscular), William Smallbone (thigh)| QUESTIONABLE: Flynn Downes (knock)
Everton team news, focus
The lack of attacking options is a concern for Everton and McNeil makes them tick so Dyche will be hoping he can feature. Beto may start after jumping off the bench to equalize against Fulham, but Calvert-Lewin is likely to get the nod. Defensively the Toffees are looking a lot better and they will look to keep it tight and cause problems on the counter with Ndiaye leading the charge.
OUT: Armando Broja (calf), Youssef Chermiti (ankle), Dele Alli (groin), Timothy Iroegbunam (ankle), James Garner (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Dwight McNeil (knee), Abdoulaye Doucoure (undisclosed)
Southampton vs Everton prediction
This feels like a draw. Saints haven’t quite got the confidence to go for it, while Everton are better off sitting back and seeing what they grab on the counter and from set pieces. Southampton 1-1 Everton.
Southampton vs Everton preview
Saints have yet to win this season, as their start to life back in the Premier League has been incredibly tough. They have led late on in each of their last two home games against Ipswich (1-1 draw) and Leicester (2-3 defeat), but saw those leads evaporate in heartbreaking fashion with the final attack of both games to come away with just one point. It’s a recocurring theme as they blew a 2-0 lead at home to second-tier Stoke City in the League Cup last 16 on Tuesday but rallied to win late on. Russell Martin’s side sit bottom of the PL table with just one point from their first nine games of the season but after their 1-0 loss at Manchester City last weekend they drew huge praise from Pep Guardiola and his players and if a first win of the season is coming for this young, attack-minded Southampton side it has to come very soon.
Everton have found their feet after a tough start to the season as Sean Dyche’s side are unbeaten in their last five, showing resilience by fighting back to draw late on at home to Fulham last weekend. It hasn’t been pretty for the Toffees but they’re picking up points in games they should be. With the Friedkin Group progressing with their takeover of the club and their stunning new stadium close to completion, positive times are just around the corner for the Toffees. If they can stay solid at the back and keep the likes of Ndiaye, McNeil and Calvert-Lewin fit and in-form, they should steer well clear of relegation trouble this season.
