Two own goals marked a disastrous first half for the away team’s back four, and Roberto Martinez’s men rarely looked like the better team over the course of the game, with the Saints comfortable throughout.
With less than a minute played the away side committed a fatal error that set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. From the kick-off Mauricio Pochettino's side built swiftly and accurately from the back, getting the ball forward with purpose to an inspired Rickie Lambert on the left flank. The Englishman then sent a floated cross in on his right foot, and Antolin Alcaraz proceeded to head it past Tim Howard into his own net.
The game couldn’t have started much worse for Everton, and from that point onwards they failed to consistently threaten. Romelu Lukaku had a couple of chances to level the score within the opening half hour but was unable to find an accurate finish both on the ground and in the air.
One Everton player who did manage to put the ball in the net was Seamus Coleman, but unfortunately for Roberto Martinez it was at the wrong end once again. In the 30th minute the right-back attempted to deal with Nathaniel Clyne’s cross by heading it back towards Howard. Coleman neither directed the ball towards the American nor took the sting off the cross, however, and instead watched it fly past his own keeper, doubling Southampton’s lead.
Martinez would have expected a tough game at St Mary’s, but to concede both goals in such a shambolic manner must have left the Toffees boss enraged. To make matters worse for Everton, Southampton continued to control the game, keeping the ball accurately in key areas and winning it back ruthlessly when Everton gained possession. The best chances continued to fall to the home team throughout the second half, with one notable Lambert effort from a free-kick only kept out by the post.
Substitute Leon Osman was perhaps unfortunate to be denied a penalty in the 61st minute after taking the ball past Dejan Lovren in the Southampton area. Referee Michael Oliver felt the midfielder went down too easily under the Saints defender’s challenge, and subsequently booked the Everton man for simulation, but the replays suggested the official may have made the wrong call.
The defeat means Everton remain a point behind Arsenal, pending the North London side’s home clash with Newcastle on Monday. With Manchester City up next for the Toffees, it looks like their Champions League dream may be coming to an end unless the Gunners slip-up in their remaining three fixtures. Recent history suggests Arsene Wenger's men are unlikely to falter with the top four in sight, however.
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