Everton recorded a second consecutive win after claiming a 2-1 Premier League victory over Southampton.
The Blues trailed in the game after Joe Aribo put the home side in front shortly after the half time interval at St Mary’s. Everton soon responded, with Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil putting the visitors in front just five minutes after going behind.
Frank Lampard’s side held on for the win to follow on from their victory over West Ham before the international break. The Blues moved up to 11th in the Premier League table, and will now prepare to face Manchester United next week.
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Plenty of national media outlets were in attendance to watch Everton beat Southampton. Here is a round-up of what they had to say.
Ben Fisher, via The Guardian
“A few minutes after the final whistle Frank Lampard looked into a packed away end, licking his lips, all smiles at the sight of Everton supporters basking in successive victories and a rare away win. Amadou Onana and a topless Idrissa Gueye bounced in tandem with the fans belting out Spirit of the Blues, joyously dancing along in celebration.
“It is too early to conclude that Lampard has revived Everton but after six league games unbeaten it at least feels he is on to something. The outlook does not seem so rosy for Ralph Hasenhüttl, whose Southampton side registered another largely listless performance symptomatic of the kind that raises questions over where they are heading.
“Everton grabbed a haphazard game by the scruff of the neck but had to rouse after trailing to Joe Aribo’s strike early in the second half, having dominated before the interval. Dwight McNeil and Conor Coady scored their first Everton goals across three second-half minutes to consign Southampton to a third straight defeat and a 14th loss from their past 20 league matches. For Everton, this represented only their second win on the road from 21 trips.
“For a long time this was an error-strewn game neither team truly deserved to win. Everton were much the better team in the first half but encouraging moves repeatedly stalled in the final stages. Demarai Gray whizzed past Armel Bella-Kotchap, who made his Germany debut against England on Monday, but after scurrying forward his shot lacked conviction.
Paul Rowan, via The Times
“Dwight McNeil struck his first Everton goal to snatch a dramatic victory for Frank Lampard’s side, but more heartening for England fans was a typically rumbustious display by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford on his return from a month-long injury.
“Pickford was missed by both England and Everton during a five-week absence, but signalled he was ready for next month’s World Cup in Qatar with a confident display, capped by a brilliant save from substitute Andy Armstrong which denied Southampton an equaliser.
“The home side had taken the lead shortly after half-time but were then hit by two goals in two minutes, firstly from Conor Coady before McNeil struck the winner with a firm shot.”
Tom Prentki, via The Telegraph
“Everton’s season continues to gain momentum as Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil’s first goals for the club gave Frank Lampard’s side a deserved first away win of the season at Southampton.
“Everton had controlled a dire first-half without scoring but three goals in five minutes during a much more entertaining half saw them claim victory after Joe Aribo had opened the scoring for Southampton.
“This was only Lampard’s second league win of the season but there is a sense that things are moving in the right direction under his stewardship of the club.
“For Ralph Hasenhüttl, things continue to look stale and the contingent of supporters calling for him to leave the club is growing ever larger.
“Southampton’s last outing, a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa, was described by some as being amongst the most uninspiring games in Premier League history. An international break had given Southampton supporters plenty of time to stew on their team’s insipid display at Villa Park and Hasenhüttl attempted to refresh things with six changes, handing three players their first starts for the club.
“It was little better for the Austrian in a forgettable first-half showing in which his team barely threatened and frustrated groans rang out as Everton dominated.”
George Sessions, via The Independent
“Everton claimed only their second Premier League away win of 2022 as goals from Conor Coady and Dwight McNeil inspired a 2-1 victory at Southampton.
“Joe Aribo put the Saints ahead following a lacklustre first half at St Mary’s, but Frank Lampard’s visitors hit back instantly, with Coady and McNeil scoring in the space of three second-half minutes.
“It helped the Toffees extend their unbeaten run to six matches and provided a rare success on the road, a victory at Leicester having been Everton’s only previous away win in the top flight this calendar year.
“Home boss Ralph Hasenhuttl had read the riot act to his players after defeat at Aston Villa two weeks ago and as a result made six changes.
“Juan Larios, Duje Caleta-Car and Ainsley Maitland-Niles were given full debuts and the hosts almost made the perfect start.
“Sekou Mara created an opportunity for Che Adams in the sixth minute, but the Scotland international could only send his effort into the side-netting from a tight angle.
“It was one of the few chances of a forgetful first 45 minutes, in which Everton largely controlled proceedings, only for Coady to squander their best opening midway through the half when he failed to get a clean connection to a Demarai Gray cross.”
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