Everton player ratings, heroes and villains as winless run away from home continues at Southampton

Everton were dragged back into the relegation battle as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at Southampton in the Premier League – extending their winless run away from home back to August.

Second-half strikes from Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long saw Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side continue their impressive form and rise to 10th in the league.

Frank Lampard and Everton’s misery was worsened by results elsewhere as Watford and Burnely both gained valuable points away from home with wins over Aston Villa and Brighton respectively - Everton are now four points ahead of Watford in the relegation zone.

After a goalless first half, in which Southampton were the better of the two sides, the hosts took the lead in the 52^nd minute thanks to Armstrong’s first league goal of the season.

The goal came after Andre Gomes was caught dawdling on the ball in his own half, the Saints dispossessed the midfielder, who replaced Allan at half-time, and the Scotsman eventually fired the ball past Jordan Pickford.

Everton didn’t seem to up their tempo after falling a goal behind and the result was confirmed when Long beat Seamus Coleman at the back post to head past Jordan Pickford.

It’s the start of a gloomy run of fixtures for Lampard, with Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves in their upcoming three league games before a double header against Newcastle United and Watford.

The heroes

Jordan Pickford- The England number one was kept busy by the Saints and made a string of brilliant saves in the first half to deny Valentino Livramento from close range and Armando Broja. Attempted to start attacks with long kicks but did his main job of keeping the ball out of the net very well. Couldn’t have done much to prevent the goals but made nine saves as he did all he could to keep the scoreline respectful.

Stuart Armstrong- His first goal of the season capped off a brilliant team goal by the Saints and it was a well-taken strike by the attacking midfielder. The Scotland international was involved in everything that the home side did going forward and deserved his goal. A player like Armstrong must be something Everton are looking for in the summer.

The villains

Allan- Was lucky to still be on the pitch after making two bookable challenges in the space of a couple of minutes. He was only shown the one yellow card, but being on a caution meant he wasn’t able to play the ball-winning role that Lampard has him doing and was deservedly replaced by Andre Gomes at half-time.

Andre Gomes- It didn’t take long for Gomes to make this list after coming on at half-time. The midfielder was too easily dispossessed in the build-up to the goal in his own half and his performance never looked like it was going to improve after that.

Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin- Both deserve to go down as a villain today after having absolutely zero impact on the game. The argument for their defence is that there was no service arriving their way, but their build-up play and connection didn’t seem to be there today and certainly contributed to the Toffees’ defeat.

Player ratings

Southampton: Forster 5, Walker-Peters 7, Bednarek 5, Salisu 6, Livramento 6, Armstrong 8, Ward-Prowse 7, Romeu 6, Elyounoussi 5, Broja 5 (Long 83; 7), Adams 6 (Armstrong 90)

Everton: Pickford 7, Coleman 4, Holgate 4, Keane 4, Kenny 5, Gordon 5 (Alli 75; 5 ), Allan 4 (Gomes 45; 4), Van de Beek 5, Iwobi 5 (Townsend 65; 5) Calvert-Lewin 5, Richarlison 4

What’s Everton’s next fixture

The Toffees are back in action in the Premier League next Saturday.

Frank Lampard’s men host league leaders Manchester City at 17:30pm.