Our roving reporter Dan returns with his verdict on the win over our former manager Ronald Koeman and his Everton team.

Ronald Koeman’s return to St.Mary’s was spoiled as his former employers Southampton were 1-0 victors against his Everton side, thanks to a Charlie Austin goal after just 41 seconds. However, the Dutchman’s return to the south-coast wasn’t the story of the match, it was the performance of 19 year- old winger, Josh Sims who got an assist on his Premier League debut and was awarded Man of the Match.

It took just 41 seconds for Southampton to score the only goal of the game as a Cedric Soares cross reached Josh Sims who managed to chip a pass onto the head of Charlie Austin who couldn’t miss the chance to score his sixth goal in the league this season (ninth in all competitions).

Sims impressed throughout the match and almost scored with a header that was saved by former Saints keeper, Maarten Stekelenburg.

The visitors failed to test Fraser Forster throughout the entire game, however arguably their best chance of the game came when Seamus Coleman cut back from right-back across the penalty area to Idrissa Gueye who blasted high over the bar to the delight of the home support and the frustration of his manager.

Claude Puel’s side started the second half brightly and should’ve doubled their lead through Charlie Austin who was found by a Cedric Soares cross but the Englishman’s header was superbly saved by ex-Saints loanee, Maarten Stekelenburg, a save that makes Saints fans think… “Why didn’t he do that for us?”

A second goal was required for Southampton to go to ninth place in the table and was almost found when Sims, in the heart of the action once again, produced a cross which was cut out by Leighton Baines, before the ball fell to James Ward-Prowse who shot straight at the Dutch keeper. The ball spilled from the hands of Stekelnburg to Charlie Austin, who’s square-ball found Ward-Prowse however, the midfielder was unable to connect correctly with the ball and left his cheeks rosy with embarrassment.

Everton pushed for a late equaliser as Coleman went close in the final minutes. The fullback was picked out by Kevin Mirallas, however his shot was blocked by skipper, Jose Fonte, leaving Koeman with a defeat on his return to St. Mary’s.

My man of the match could’ve gone to the following, Pierre-Emille Hojbjerg, Virgil Van Dijk, Oriol Romeu, James Ward-Prowse or Josh Sims. Hojbjerg, Ward-Prowse and Romeu were ever-present in the heart of midfield, winning the majority of the loose balls and giving the Everton players a run for their money. Van Dijk was Van Dijk. Class. He took the job of keeping Lukaku quiet for the full 90 minutes. However, because of a spectacular debut, I’m giving man of the match to 19 year-old Josh Sims for coming into the side with short notice and providing a performance of such high quality.

Next up for Saints is a visit to the Library, I mean the Emirates, for a quarter-final clash in the EFL Cup with Arsenal. A fixture that can be seen with more confidence by the fans after Sunday’s result.

Photo: Action Images

Sanguin added 14:17 - Nov 28 Yes Hojbjerg made some good runs, but he gave away possession cheaply a number of times too. These small mistakes lead to shifts in momentum and ultimately concede goals. I don’t know if I’m just making a scapegoat of him, but I think he needs another season to get up to Premier League standard. I used to think that Soares wasn’t up to the standard either but he’s been proving me wrong since he came back from injury.

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SaintNick added 14:37 - Nov 28 I though Hojbjerg did well, the great thing about football is the diversity in opinion, I have to say that in my opinion the one person that did give the ball away on at least three occasions that lead to s a shift in momentum was Josh Sims, perhaps put it down to inexperience but he failed to make a decisive pass and Everton broke. I though that Sims should have come off after about 65 minutes but fair play he proved me wrong and came back stronger in the final 20

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highfield49 added 16:56 - Nov 28 Agreed Nick but I've seen Walcott do exactly the same as Sims many times despite his added years in the game. My first impressions are that Sims game will step up to the plate and become a better player than Walcott. And, on that subject, if the rotation policy allows it to happen I'd be interested to see Long and Sims play against Arsenal. The only problem being of course that Redmond's ego might suffer some deflation.

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SanMarco added 17:36 - Nov 28 I'd like us to go full strength vs Arsenal i.e. No Clasie, Martina, Yoshi, Redmond or JWP. We might just do it then. A team like we put out last Thursday then no chance.
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highfield49 added 18:16 - Nov 28 Yup, point well made SanMarco. I think JWP can still make a decent contribution to the squad but his inability to put away simple scoring chances is as much of a negative as Yoshi's infamous switch offs. Like most supporters I hate to be negative about any Saints players who put in a shift but if RK really wants to sign Martina and Clasie then I can't see many of us doing more than sigh with relief.

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SaintStu7 added 20:56 - Nov 28 SanMarco never makes a good point. Just always negative about players and our club. His point was to have dig at players who have been putting everything in for the club and fans not to make a worthy input. Puel will put out the side he thinks can bring us a win against Arsenal and then Palace. Coyr
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SanMarco added 23:58 - Nov 28 Hello SaintStu7 - I'm sure I have very occasionally made a good point!! But that's the beauty of TUI - reasoned discussion and friendly diasagreement. I certainly don't think that the players in Prague were 'putting everything in for the club' - if you do then fair enough, one of us is wrong! Your heart obviously wont sink if you see Yoshi, Martina and Clasie on the team sheet on Wednesday - mine will.

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