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Everton break losing Goodison streak

By Matt Townsend

Everton's Brazilian midfielder Allan (L) vies with Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (R) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on March 1, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Everton's Brazilian midfielder Allan (L) vies with Southampton's English striker Danny Ings (R) during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Southampton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on March 1, 2021. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Everton finally won again at Goodison Park in the Premier League as the Toffees ground out a narrow but just about deserved 1-0 win tonight against Southampton.

This match was going to be a test of whether Everton could maintain the momentum generated by that famous Anfield derby win last weekend.

Saints have been something of a bogey team for the Toffees recently and although they had a long injury list they still had players like Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse available both of whom have performed very well against the Blues.

Carlo Ancelotti reverted to a 4-3-1-2 formation with Dominic Calvert-Lewin returning up front alongside Richarlison. He also brought back Gylfi Sigurdsson who played for the again injured James Rodriguez and of course Allan in midfield.

Everton started well as they had at Liverpool and again just like in the derby Richarlison scored early. It was route one stuff as a Jordan Pickford long ball was headed on by Calvert-Lewin and from Sigurdsson’s pass, the Brazilian then beat Fraser Forster and put the ball in the net.

But although the home team began well they didn’t really build on that early goal and looked surprisingly sluggish and nervous at times. I say suprisingly because after so many games so close together recently, the Toffees have had over a week off since beating their neighbours.

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The Blues also had a goal disallowed and had that been given perhaps the team might have relaxed and gone on to win by a few but that’s not what happened.

Southampton showed why they have struggled so much recently as they lacked ideas and creativity apart from Ward-Prowse who was a lively presence. As always he was a threat with his delivery from set-plays.

The match lacked sparkle and chances were at a premium as once again it seems that playing late on a Monday evening doesn’t seem to suit Everton.

But defensively the home team were solid and limited the few chances Southampton had until late in the game when they came on strong searching for an equaliser. Once more Micheal Keane was especially solid marshalling the Blues rearguard and Pickford made a fine save too.

Although Saints were knocking on the door and missed a great chance to equalise, in truth they didn’t do enough to get anything from the match.

One thing that could be costly though at the end of the season is the goal difference. The Blues have only scored a single goal again and have to find a way to create and score a few more goals in these sort of matches.

So a win at home at last and the three points keeps Everton right in the mix for that top four. Next a trip to West Bromwich Albion and a reunion with Sam Allardyce.