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Southampton logo
Premier League
Dec 20, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Everton logo

3-0

Lukaku (38' og.), Pelle (65'), Yoshida (82')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Player Ratings: Southampton 3-0 Everton

Sports Mole rates the best and worst players during Southampton's comfortable 3-0 Premier League victory over Everton at St Mary's Stadium.

Southampton returned to form by claiming a 3-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League.

The Saints took the lead when Romelu Lukaku diverted a corner into his own net.

Graziano Pelle poked in a second shortly after the hour mark after latching onto Shane Long's header.

With eight minutes left to play, they sealed the points as Maya Yoshida headed in a third

Here, Sports Mole rates the performances of each of the players on show at St Mary's Stadium.


Jose Fonte of Southampton heads towards goal and his effort is deflected in by Ross Barkley of Everton during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on December 20, 2014© Getty Images

SOUTHAMPTON:

Goal

Fraser Forster: The keeper did not have too much to deal with, but he made a couple of great saves to deny Lukaku and looked strong throughout. (7/10)

Defence

Nathaniel Clyne: Another impressive display from the full-back, who played a huge part in the second goal with a great cross into the box that Long headed on to Pelle. He always looked dangerous down the right and was solid at the back too. (8/10)

Maya Yoshida: Reliable performance from the Japanese international, who dealt well with the threat of Lukaku and helped his side to seal the points with a firm header late on. (7/10)

Jose Fonte: The Southampton captain led by example and was a rock at the heart of his team's defence, He was never beaten in the air and was always strong in the challenge. (8/10)

Ryan Bertrand: The full-back got forward well down the left and provided some teasing crosses into the box. Almost grabbed a goal himself, but, after latching onto Pelle's header, he poked wide of the target. (7/10)

Midfield

Steven Davis: Solid in the middle for the hosts. Was always reliable in possession and set up the third goal with a very good cross for Yoshida. (7/10)

James Ward-Prowse: Impressive performance from the 20-year-old, who was deadly from set pieces. It was his delivery that set up the first goal, and he almost supplied another when his free kick was met by Fonte, before being saved by Howard. (8/10)

Toby Alderweireld: The Belgian enjoyed a great game in the middle of the pitch. He kept hold of the ball well and showed some really classy touches throughout the match. (8/10)

Harrison Reed: The 19-year-old was making his first start in the Premier League and it did not seem to faze him. He looked confident in everything that he did and slotted effortlessly into the Saints midfield. (7/10)

Attack

Graziano Pelle: Returned to the Southampton side and was back among the goals with a poacher's finish. His presence alone made it hard for the Everton defenders, and he linked up extremely well with the rest of his teammates. (8/10)

Shane Long: Although the Irishman failed to score, he was involved in almost everything good that Southampton did. His header set up Pelle's goal and he should have been given a penalty in the first half after being brought down by Jagielka. (8/10)

Substitutes

Matt Targett: Came on for the final 10 minute and helped his team to see out the match. (6/10)

Dominic Gape: Could not make too much of an impact after coming on in the final minute. (6/10)


Sylvain Distin of Everton and Shane Long of Southampton battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on December 20, 2014© Getty Images

EVERTON:

Goal

Tim Howard: Was let down by his team's defending and had little chance of saving any of the goals. He did make a fine save from Fonte in the second half, but in the end it proved meaningless. (6/10)

Defence

Seamus Coleman: Failed to have his usual impact on the wing and did not get involved enough. He was far less solid than he usually is at the back and he allowed Bertrand to get in behind him too easily. (6/10)

Phil Jagielka: Was lucky not to give a penalty away in the first half and did not enjoy the best of games, as Long and Pelle got the better of him on numerous occasions. (5/10)

Sylvain Distin: Another Everton defender who struggled. He was given the run around by the Saints attack and seemed to lack his usual energy. (5/10)

Leighton Baines: Struggled against Clyne down his side of the pitch and did not produce anywhere near his best. He was unable to support his team going forward, and hardly had an opporuntiy to impress from set plays. (5/10)

Midfield

Steven Naismith: Sparked into life at various moments of the match, but not enough for his team's liking. He did not do much wrong, yet struggled to make a forceful impact on proceedings. (6/10)

Muhamed Besic: Another strong performance in the centre of the midfield from the Bosnian, who kept his place in the side. Won a number of challenges and was probably Everton's best player. (7/10)

Gareth Barry: Saw plenty of the ball on his return to the side and kept it simple throughout. He did not put a foot wrong and was a solid presence in the midfield. (7/10)

Ross Barkley: Not the greatest of displays from the England international, after an impressive showing last time out against QPR. He tried his luck from range on a couple of occasions, but was unable to seriously test Forster. (6/10)

Attack

Romelu Lukaku: Scored an own goal that dramatically changed the game. He forced the keeper into a couple of saves in the second half, but did not do enough to really inspire a comeback. (6/10)

Samuel Eto'o: Headed wide at the end of the first half with what was his only real chance of the game. He did not see enough of the ball to make a big impact and was occasionally left stranded. (5/10)


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Sylvain Distin of Everton and Shane Long of Southampton battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium on December 20, 2014
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