Southampton

Ray Hunt
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

At last. The moment we all needed.

We needed some luck, but we got there somehow. Finally a win in the Premier League that ends the 19-month wait.

It follows a busy, but successful week for Saints after progression in the Carabao Cup to the quarter-finals on Tuesday night with a narrow, nail-biting victory over struggling Championship side Stoke City.

Confidence was indeed built from the buoyant, but ultimately unsuccessful trip to Manchester City where Russell Martin quoted: "Today has given me even more belief. But we have a massive two weeks ahead, starting on Tuesday."

With Tuesday's opponents Stoke taken care of (just) the attentions switched to Everton. The one that really mattered. Once again, we made things difficult and nervy in true Saints style. Can you blame us after all the negativity and late concessions?

With three points finally in the bag, the pressure has eased on Martin, albeit, it is a minor respite. Focus will now turn to another crunch game at the bottom of the league. Wolves host Saints next - the team that replaced us at the foot of the table and who still search for that elusive first win of the campaign.

It is going to be another long week full of tension as we wait, but we should enjoy this win and be proud. Could this be a turning point? A win at Wolves would spark more belief, but it is important to remember it is only one win. This was a lucky escape. On the flip side, luck has been against us with those marginal decisions.

Losing at Molineux would see us return to the bottom and pile the pressure back on, with the prospect of Liverpool visiting after the next international break.

It is a valuable win. A building block. In the words of Kyle Walker-Peters - "be calm and trust the process".

Find more from Ray Hunt at the In that Number podcast, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Southampton and Everton.

Here are some of your comments:

Southampton fans:

Vincent: What a relief. Everton helped us out by being pretty poor for large parts of the game and when they improved we got the luck we needed thanks to the crossbar and VAR. Still lots to improve on but it feels like we have positive momentum.

Daz: Let's not get ahead of ourselves here, it's only our first win in 10 games in the Premier League and to be honest it was a lucky win at that - we were lucky to hold on to the 1-0. We are still in a relegation spot, so is this the start of something good? Who knows, but I certainly won't be holding my breath. A lucky escape for Russell Martin this time around.

Connor: Not a perfect performance, we needed a lot of luck to get us over the line. Nonetheless, I welcome the feeling of a long awaited win and I just hope the confidence gained can kick start our season. Three more points next weekend please!

Mark: Don't get me wrong, I am very happy we finally won a game but in my opinion we could and should have lost. We can't defend. Playing out from the back will kill us. Martin has no clue about tactics or substitutions. We will be relegated.

Everton fans:

Nigel: This all hangs on Dyche. He hasn't got it in him to try anything different. He could have tried Calvert-Lewin and Beto together. He could stop playing his favourites (McNeil). He could start our best player, Branthwaite. But he's just stubborn, or hasn't the coaching ability. I'm grateful for his service in keeping us up, but it's time to go!

Peter: Every week we stick with Calvert-Lewin, every week he fails to engage in the team strategy, then we bring on Beto who looks 100% behind the team plan. Beto wants first team football, Calvert-Lewin won't sign a new contract. Am I missing something?

Ed: Dyche has to go, plain and simple. Southampton have beaten us twice. Embarrassing. Our unbeaten run has flattered us and I honestly think anyone could get a better tune out of these players than the current management. Focusing on key decisions is a distraction from the underlying mess. The whole club needs flushing out from top to bottom.

Jim: Very sloppy performance, couldn't keep hold of the ball and no decisive cutting edge in attack. Took off our influential attacker in the second half which is a bit baffling. Everton left the back door open for their winner. Head scratching time.

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BBC Radio Solent Sport Editor Adam Blackmore spoke to the 'Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast about Southampton's first Premier League win of the season:

"I was so pleased for everyone in St Mary's. I am pleased for the manager. Although I might have some criticism when they don’t play as I would want them to, I am pleased for him as a person. I think he had the weight of the world on him and he was being targeted by lots of people. I just feel pleased for him, the coaching team and the players because it’s not easy what you go through being in the public spotlight."

Former Southampton player Jo Tessem added: "We have got all the margins going our way this week. You do need a little bit of luck in football but you make the luck. That can be such a season-changing moment for the club and for Russell Martin to have that lift and get away with it, that was really tense. You have to have some luck and that can be so vital.

"You have to break the habit [of losing] and now you have won the game, and you know you can win the game, that's the important thing here.

"We are technically all in the same boat. We want to win games; he wants to win games and the fans want to win games. It’s a very tough league and our aim is to stay alive in the Premier League and we have to remember this.

"How good would it be if we go to Wolves and get another three points? That could be the aim and that’s how you start feeling. When you get feel-good factors it, drives you towards the next game."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Laura Kenyon
Final Score reporter

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You could forgive a side languishing rock bottom of the Premier League, without a win and a solitary point from nine games, if they allowed disharmony and division to creep in.

So, with Saints going into their 10th league game, pressure mounting for points and not just performances, it was almost unusual the signs of unity permeating from within the club. Before the game, players were declaring their love for Russell Martin.

Martin was praising supportive owners. It indicates a culture of unison internally, even if opinions continue to be divided externally.

Yes, there is a long way to go if Southampton are to secure another season in the top flight. But they have a far greater chance of doing so if that culture continues.

The latest episode of BBC Radio Solent's Goin' Home With Adam And Jo podcast has landed, as they relish in Southampton picking up their first win of the season and discuss what made the difference against the Toffees.

There is also post-match reaction from Russell Martin and Aaron Ramsdale.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds