Southampton 1-2 Everton: Marco Silva's side win away for the first time since March
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Richarlison's goal secured Everton's first away win in the Premier League since March
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhüttl says his side are "not good enough" after losing at home to Everton in the Premier League.
The Saints were hoping to gain ground over their opponents who had started the day fourth-bottom of the table. Instead, the visitors claimed their first away win of the season to climb up from 17th to 13th, a place and a point ahead of Manchester United, who host Brighton on Sunday.
"The first half was horrible. No-one wanted the ball any more. You could feel the lack of self confidence," Hasenhüttl said.
"It took us until the second half to get positive body language. The second half was OK. We went very offensive and it gave us a little more quality but you expose the defence and the goal killed us.
"It is not a nice situation. I can guarantee the players try to fight to win games. At the moment we are not good enough."
Tom Davies put the visitors in charge, heading in from close range following Gylfi Sigurdsson's corner but Marco Silva's side were also guilty of wasting several good chances.
That allowed the hosts to hit back with substitute Sofiane Boufal laying on a tap-in for Danny Ings to equalise.
But Everton, without the injured Andre Gomes, took the points, with Richarlison turning in Djibril Sidibe's right-wing cross from six yards out in the 75th minute.
"It [the win] was really important for us. All of us inside the club want to be in a different position but you have to look for a different picture," Silva said.
"In all the games it is difficult to find one team who is better than ourselves. Pressure - never. It is a privilege to be at Everton Football Club. Many things have come against us but we will keep fighting.
Southampton's sixth defeat in seven league matches leaves them in the bottom three on eight points - the same tally as at the same stage last term under former boss Mark Hughes - prompting questions over Hassenhüttl's desire to carry on.
"I have to," he added. "It is my job to be strong in that moment. It is why I am here. I will try to invest everything and try to work hard and get better. I think we can play better."
Everton's long wait is over
While Everton delivered an improved performance in their draw with Tottenham last Sunday, this felt like a pivotal day for manager Marco Silva, with this team starting the day just three points ahead of their opponents.
A failure to win at Southampton, who were thrashed 9-0 by Leicester City in their last home game, would have only added to any pressure already being felt by the Portuguese boss.
But as it was, his team largely delivered another positive display even if their errant finishing handed the hosts a way back into the game.
Sigurdsson, Davies and Schneiderlin gave the Toffees control in midfield and the pace of Theo Walcott and Richarlison saw the visitors continuously carve the hosts open down the flanks.
Cenk Tosun, Davies and Sigurdsson all pressed Saints keeper Alex McCarthy into action, the only downside being Everton did not make the most of their 24 shots on goal to record a wider margin of victory.
No home comforts for Southampton
While the boos rang out and Southampton fans threw their scarves on the pitch at full-time, Ralph Hasenhüttl's team could not be accused of displaying a lack of effort or spirit.
Confidence, though, is another matter and the Austrian boss saw his side start hesitantly at St Mary's to hand the initiative to Everton.
They were also not helped by Cedric Soares' deployment out of position on the left, which consequently allowed Walcott to repeatedly expose Jannik Vestergaard's lack of pace.
‘We are not good enough’ - Hasenhuttl
With Everton sweeping forward, particularly down that side, the first 45 minutes bore a striking resemblance to their capitulation to Leicester.
However, Boufal's introduction in place of Soares had a transformative effect.
Instead of surrendering, the Saints drew level and were pressing for a vital second goal but their defensive vulnerability on the left again proved their undoing.
Southampton have now conceded 21 goals in their first six home Premier League games this season - that's five more than the next leakiest defence, Norwich.
Man of the Match - Mason Holgate (Everton)
Mason Holgate's distribution out of defence and calmness under pressure for Everton stood out
Davies ends barren run - the stats
Southampton have lost four consecutive home league games at St Mary's for the very first time.
Everton ended a run of four consecutive away losses in the Premier League, with this their first win on the road in nine attempts, previously earning all three points at West Ham in March.
Southampton are only the second Premier League side to earn one point or fewer from their opening six home league games in a season - the other was Birmingham in 2005-06, who were relegated.
Southampton have conceded 21 goals in their first six home Premier League games this season - the only top-flight side to concede more in their opening six are Blackpool in 1930-31 (22).
Each of Southampton's last six league goals have been scored by Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse (four for Ings and two for Ward-Prowse).
Danny Ings has now scored 12 Premier League goals for Southampton, his most for a single club in the competition (11 for Burnley and three for Liverpool). All 26 of those goals have been scored from inside the box.
Tom Davies has scored his first Premier League goal for Everton in 553 days, with his previous strike also coming against Southampton in May 2018.
What's next?
Southampton travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in their next Premier League match on Saturday, 23 November (15:00 GMT). Everton host Norwich in their next Premier League fixture also on Saturday, 23 November (15:00 GMT).