Everton have picked up their first win of the new Premier League season by stunning Southampton 3-0 at St Mary's Stadium.
Romelu Lukaku scored twice while Ross Barkley also got on the scoresheet to leave the Saints with one point from their first two games.
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Southampton dominated possession during the opening stages as Everton struggled to put their stamp on the game. The hosts came close to taking the lead on 14 minutes, but Dusan Tadic was denied by a heroic block from Phil Jagielka.
Graziano Pelle, who was lively throughout the opening half, should have done better when he met Tadic's cross soon after, though the Italian could only head off target.
Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard was called into action twice in quick succession as Southampton cranked up the pressure, with the American denying Matt Targett and Sadio Mane.
Despite the home side dictating play, it was the visitors who made the breakthrough on 22 minutes thanks to Romelu Lukaku, who headed in off the crossbar following a quick counter-attack that involved Arouna Kone.
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The Toffees came close to doubling their advantage minutes later when James McCarthy's effort was beaten away at the near post by Maarten Stekelenburg.
With Everton now in control, Roberto Martinez's men should have made it 2-0 on 29 minutes. Ross Barkley's initial shot was saved by Stekelenburg after another break from the away side before Tom Cleverley put the rebound wide.
Southampton regained their composure towards the end of the half as they went in search of an equaliser, but it was the Toffees who landed a significant blow on the stroke of half time when Lukaku swept the ball into the bottom corner after being picked out by Barkley.
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Ronald Koeman's side saw the majority of the ball after the break as they tried desperately to get themselves back in the match, though some poor finishing stopped them from really troubling Everton.
Pelle fired straight at Howard on 53 minutes before the Italian nodded wide from a corner later on as the visitors found it difficult to get out of their own half.
The Saints' frustration grew when Mane's spectacular drive was tipped away by the acrobatic Howard before Everton wrapped up the points with their third goal of the afternoon on 84 minutes.
The visitors pounced against the run of play once more as Barkley showed quick feet in the box to curl the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
Jack Prescott
