View: Three things we learned from Everton in 1-0 win over Southampton
Everton secured back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since Boxing Day after beating Southampton on Monday night.
Richarlison rounded Fraser Forster to score the opener early for Everton, while Michael Keane’s headed effort was correctly ruled offside shortly after to deny the home side a second.
The Blues would go on to hold off a second-half resurgence from the away side, claiming a 1-0 win over the Saints and leaving Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men winless in nine Premier League games.
At Goodison News we have picked out three things we learned from the home victory…
Richarlison can lead the line
The Brazil international registered his third Premier League goal in as many games against the Saints, taking his tally for the season up to five in the league.
Though there were initial doubts over his ability to lead the line as a lone striker, Richarlison has improved in that position over the last few weeks somewhat, and the Saints performance indicated that he could have a future playing up front alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Pickford is finding a new level
Jordan Pickford turned in one of the best performances of his Everton career against Liverpool last week and he following that up with another impressive display at Goodison Park.
The England international had a faultless performance, and his last gasp save from Jannik Vestergaard towards the end of the game was akin to him having scored a goal, it proved that crucial.
Allan’s return was a welcome one
In the Brazilian’s absence it was easy to forget just how many blades of grass the midfielder covers. Allan has such a physical presence in that he just gets everywhere, and Everton need that defensive solidity in midfield.
Partnered with Abdoulaye Doucoure’s energy and work rate and Andre Gomes’ ability on the ball, Allan brings a strong dimension to Everton’s midfield game that the club have been greatly missing, in spite of Tom Davies’ personal uptick in form.
In other Everton news, AC Milan could be set to rival Everton for the signature of Norwich defender Max Aarons.