Armstrong, Long strike as Saints beat Everton

Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long scored rare second-half goals to give Southampton a deserved 2-0 Premier League win over Everton at St Mary's.

Southampton, unbeaten in their previous eight home league games, took the lead when Armstrong finished off a bright attacking move seven minutes into the second half (52), before substitute Long doubled the hosts' advantage with his first touch (84).

It ended a long Premier League goal drought for both players. Armstrong's previous strike came in April 2021, while Long last scored in February 2020.

Despite some promising early build-up play by Everton, Southampton dominated in every area of the field as James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu's mix of industry and ingenuity, as well as Kyle Walker-Peters' enthusiasm down the left flank, saw the visitors finish the game without a shot on target.

Southampton extended their recent fine run to just one defeat in 11 matches in all competitions with another impressive showing. They remain 10th in the table.

As for Everton, Frank Lampard thought he had generated lift-off with the 3-0 home thumping of Leeds on February 12 in his third match at the Goodison Park helm.

But the ex-Chelsea boss will need no telling that this loss - and the curiously supine performance - leaves his side still flirting with a relegation battle. They stay 16th, four points above the relegation zone.

Everton started brightly but Southampton soon took control of the game, stifling their opponents with a far more aggressive midfield approach.

Allan was booked for a desperate scything challenge in a bid to assert some authority for the visitors, then conceded a dangerous free-kick on the edge of his own area.

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