MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 05:02:15| >> :120:22277:22277:

Southampton and Everton wasteful in St Mary's stalemate

Both Southampton and Everton are guilty of missing several clear-cut chances as the points are shared in Mauricio Pochettino's first game in charge of the Saints.

Mauricio Pochettino's reign as Southampton manager has begun with a goalless draw at home to Champions League-chasers Everton.

Everton defender Leighton Baines clears a shot off the line during his sides match with Southampton on January 21, 2013© PA Photos

The former Espanyol boss replaced Nigel Adkins in the St Mary's hotseat on Friday and watched his side dominate the visitors in the opening period.

Top scorer Rickie Lambert struck the post with a bending 25-yard free kick before having two headers saved by Toffees keeper Tim Howard.

Centre-back Jos Hooiveld wasted what was arguably Southampton's clearest sight on goal when he struck a close-range effort straight at Howard's feet.

Phil Jagielka had earlier produced two fine pieces of defending to foil the lively Jason Puncheon, whose Lambert-bound cross was superbly intercepted by the England international.

Southampton's Gaston shoots at goal during his sides match with Everton on January 21, 2013© PA Photos

Jagielka also blocked a Puncheon drive that was travelling towards the bottom corner, but it was Southampton who did most of the defending in the second half.

The introduction of Victor Anichebe from the Everton bench sparked life into the visitors and his good work should have led to an opener on the hour mark.

A low cross from the Nigerian found Nikica Jelavic unmarked, but the striker missed his shot completely and the ball bounced away off his standing leg.

Anichebe then forced Saints stopper Artur Boruc into a fine low save with his left-footed strike and the Pole was called into a reflex stop moments later to palm away Marouane Fellaini's header.

Lambert nearly snatched Southampton maximum points late on but his header looped onto the top of the net as both sides recorded back-to-back draws.

ID:65344: cacheID:65344:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4353:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino prior to his teams match with Everton on January 21, 2013
Read Next:
Live Commentary: Southampton 0-0 Everton - as it happened
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!