EPL Result: Southampton 3 - 0 Everton

Southampton have ended their five game losing streak in all competitions after beating Everton 3-0 at St Mary's this afternoon.

Romelu Lukaku put the ball into his own net to give Southampton the lead before goals from Graziano Pelle and Maya Yoshida sealed the win for the Saints.

The loss is Everton's third consecutive away defeat in the Premier League.

Southampton made a bright start to the match and made sure they put Everton under a good amount of pressure early on.

Despite this, Roberto Martinez's men kept the ball well and saw a lot of possession during the opening exchanges.

It was Southampton who went closest to opening the scoring as Nathaniel Clyne floated in a cross for Pelle, but the Italian ended up putting his header over the bar.

Everton finally registered their first shot on goal as Ross Barkley drove through the middle before firing in a low strike which was straight at Fraser Forster.

The chance lifted Everton but Southampton went in front when James Ward-Prowse's corner was touched into his own net by the head of Lukaku just before the break.

The Saints might have grabbed a quick second when Ryan Bertrand fired a low cross into the middle, but Pelle could only put the ball into the side netting.

There was a visible increase in urgency in Everton's attack during the second half as they looked to pass the ball more quickly in the final third.

Southampton always looked threatening on the counter, however, and they got a second goal through Pelle, who poked in past Tim Howard after combining with Shane Long.

Everton spurned a few chances to get back in the game before Yoshida secured the points for Ronald Koeman's side by powering in a header from close range.

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EPL Preview: Southampton vs. Everton

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman could face further selection problems for the club's fixture with Everton.

The Saints, who have been plagued by injuries in recent weeks, will definitely be without Dusan Tadic and Jake Hesketh, while there are doubts over the fitness of Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle.

That could leave Koeman being forced to start midfielder James Ward-Prowse, who has only just returned from a three-month spell on the sidelines, and Emmanuel Mayuka, with Shane Long possibly being moved into a wide position.

Four consecutive league defeats have seen Southampton fall from second to fifth in the table and if results go against them over the weekend, they could soon find themselves two spots lower in seventh.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez has indicated that midfield duo Leon Osman and Kevin Mirallas will miss the trip to St Mary's through injury but expects the pair to return within weeks rather than months.

However, Martinez is boosted by the return of Gareth Barry, who sat out Monday's 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers through suspension.

The success at Goodison Park ended a run of three games without a win and Martinez will have his eyes on a top-six position by the end of 2014.

Southampton:
Form in Premier League: WDLLLL

Possible starting lineup: Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; Wanyama, S. Davis; Ward-Prowse, Long, Mane; Mayuka

Everton:
Form in Premier League: DWLDLW

Possible starting lineup: Howard, Baines, Distin, Jagielka, Coleman, Besic, Barkley, Barry, Naismith, McGeady, Lukaku

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EPL Result: Liverpool 2 - 1 Southampton

Daniel Sturridge scored 10 minutes from time to hand Liverpool a 2-1 win over Southampton at Anfield this afternoon.

Liverpool's first sight of goal arrived after seven minutes following a swift counter from the home side, but Sturridge could only fire his effort high and wide of Fraser Forster's crossbar. Moments later, Forster was forced to deny Lucas from close range after the Brazilian had met a near-post corner.

Raheem Sterling was next to come close after 20 minutes, but his effort was straight at the Saints goalkeeper.

Sterling made no mistake after 23 minutes, however, converting past Forster following a through pass from Jordan Henderson.

Southampton's first real chance of the half came after 35 minutes, but Simon Mignolet managed to palm a sweeping free kick from James Ward-Prowse over the crossbar.

Morgan Schneiderlin also threatened for the away side in first-half stoppage time, but his effort was also pushed over the crossbar by Mignolet.

The away side made the brighter start to the second period, but struggled to create clear openings, while Sterling remained a threat for Liverpool and flashed an effort high of the crossbar after 54 minutes.

Southampton were level after 56 minutes, however, when Nathaniel Clyne placed one into the top corner from inside the box.

Steven Davis came close to sending the away side ahead just before the hour mark, but sent one high of the crossbar after Mignolet had flapped at another cross from Ward-Prowse.

Davis had another wonderful chance three minutes later, but sent his effort straight at Mignolet from close range.

Liverpool struggled for clear openings as the second period advanced, with Henderson firing one wide of the post before Rickie Lambert entered for his Premier League debut against his former side.

The home side rallied in the latter stages, however, and won it 10 minutes from time when Sturridge tapped home from close range following a header from Sterling.

Southampton had two glorious chances late on, but Schneiderlin hit the crossbar from close range before Shane Long headed the rebound wide of the post.

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EPL Preview: Liverpool vs. Southampton

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be without two of his summer signings when they play Southampton in their opening game of the Premier League season.

Both Adam Lallana, who left the Saints to move to Anfield, and Lazar Markovic are sidelined through injury, with Daniel Agger and Jon Flanagan also missing for the Merseyside outfit.

Rickie Lambert, who has also joined from Southampton, is expected to be on the substitutes' bench for the match with his former club.

Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has been forced to rebuild Southampton's squad after more than half-a-dozen players departed during the summer.

New arrivals Fraser Forster, Ryan Bertrand, Dusan Tadic and Shane Long could all make their first appearances for their new side but Morgan Schneiderlin is likely to miss out as he continues to express his desire to leave the club.

The Saints were victorious in this fixture last season but goalscorer Dejan Lovren will be in the opposing lineup on this occasion.

Recent form

Liverpool: DWLW

Southampton: WWWL

Possible starting lineups
Liverpool: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Enrique, Can, Henderson, Gerrard; Sterling, Coutinho, Sturridge

Southampton: Forster; Clyne, Gardos, Fonte, Bertrand; Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Taider; Tadic, Long, Pelle

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Manchester United Confirm Luke Shaw Arrival On Four-year Deal

Manchester United have announced the signing of Southampton left-back Luke Shaw for a reported fee in the region of £30m.

The England international, who returned from the World Cup in Brazil just two days ago, is said to have attracted a bid from United on the final day of last season.

Southampton maintained that they would not allow their stars to leave the club until former manager Mauricio Pochettino's replacement was appointed.

Following on from Ronald Koeman's arrival at St Mary's, Shaw's switch to Old Trafford has been given the green light.

The 18-year-old, who is now the most expensive teenager in football, has penned a four-year contract, which has the option of a further year.

"I am thrilled and excited to be joining Manchester United," Shaw told the club's official website. "I have been at Southampton since I was eight years old and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me.

"I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and also looking forward to learning from the world-class players and management at the club."

Shaw made 67 appearances for Southampton following his debut in 2012.

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RESULT: Manchester City Keep The Pressure On Liverpool With Win Over Southampton

Manchester City have moved up to 2nd in the Premier League after a 4-1 win over Southampton.
Manuel Pellegrini's men are now just a point behind Liverpool, who play tomorrow, with Chelsea playing later this afternoon.

It was the perfect start for City as Yaya Toure put them ahead from the penalty spot three minutes in after a foul on Edin Dzeko.

They almost doubled their lead minutes later through Samir Nasri but the Frenchman fired wide, before Southampton got themselves into the game, missing chances through Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.

There was bad news for Southampton on 25 minutes as they lost Jay Rodriguez to what looked like a serious knee injury. Just as City began to dominate though, the visitors drew level with a penalty of their own as Lambert made no mistake after Pablo Zabaleta tripped Jack Cork.

Southampton started to look the more threatening after that but were undone on the stroke of half time with two goals in three minutes from City. First, Nasri finished a fine team move despite an offside shout during the build up, before Dzeko headed in during injury time.

In the second half City remained comfortable. Toure went down looking for another penalty appeal just after the break before Dzeko and David Silva were denied by good goalkeeping.

With ten minutes to go substitute Stevan Jovetic made sure of the win by tapping in from Zabaleta's cross.

There was still time for Toure to strike the post but it did not matter for City who moved within a point of Liverpool at the top of the league.

Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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EPL PREVIEW: Manchester City vs. Southampton

Manchester City's title challenge could be given the timely boost of Sergio Aguero returning from injury to be included in the squad to face Southampton on Saturday.

The influential Argentine striker has missed three weeks of action with a hamstring strain picked up in the Champions League last-16 first leg against Barcelona.

He admitted this week that he is wary of rushing back so as not to jeopardise his World Cup hopes, but reports on Thursday claimed that he was poised to be named in the 18 for the visit of the Saints.

In his absence, City's other forwards have scored only three times in eight games, although Yaya Toure's exploits in front of goal have kept them firmly in touch at the top of the table.

Manuel Pellegrini's side are four points behind new Premier League leaders Liverpool, having played two games fewer and knowing that a second championship in two years is still theirs for the taking.

Their opponents at the Etihad Stadium this weekend have had to deal with another week of speculation linking their boss and biggest names with moves away from Southampton in the summer.

Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly become Tottenham Hotspur's number one managerial target, while Liverpool maintain an interest in Luke Shaw and are believed to have joined the race for Adam Lallana.

Both will put these rumours to one side to start for the Saints in Manchester, but Maya Yoshida, Nathaniel Clyne and Kelvin Davis are missing, while Victor Wanyama faces a late fitness test.

Pochettino therefore may name an unchanged XI from the one that thrashed Newcastle United 4-0 at St Mary's Stadium, where Jay Rodriguez scored twice to enhance his England World Cup hopes.

Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin is also hopeful of making it to Brazil, but may have to be content with a place on the bench, with James Ward-Prowse retained in midfield alongside Steven Davis and Jack Cork.

With the recovering Aguero yet to reach full fitness, Edin Dzeko is likely to continue as City's lone striker, with support coming from a trio of attacking midfielders and Toure in an initial holding role.

James Milner may be recalled at the expense of Jesus Navas, should Pellegrini want to give Pablo Zabaleta some extra defensive protection against the marauding runs of Shaw down the Saints left.

Victory would take the visitors to within three points of English champions Manchester United, who are seventh in the table, but City have only lost once domestically at Eastlands all season.

Recent form

Man City: DWWWLL

Southampton: WLWWLL

Possible starting lineups

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Kompany, Clichy; Toure, Fernandinho; Milner, Silva, Nasri; Dzeko

Southampton: Boruc; Chambers, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Davis, Cork, Ward-Prowse; Lallana, Rodriguez, Lambert

Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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SPORTS: Man Utd 1 - 1 Southampton

Manchester United were dramatically held to a home draw as Southampton grabbed a late equaliser to cancel out Robin van Persie's first-half strike.

Just one minute of normal time remained when Saints captain Adam Lallana diverted a stabbed effort from Dejan Lovren into the net at a corner. It was tough on the champions, who had hit the crossbar twice and had Adnan Januzaj’s fierce shot from 25 yards well saved by Artur Boruc.

Januzaj, the centre of attention on the day he signed a five-year United contract, was quiet until the 18-year-old helped to set up the Reds' goal on 26 minutes. Wayne Rooney latched onto the teenager’s immaculate through ball, but after Saints keeper Artur Boruc blocked the shot, van Persie was on hand, jinking to the left around the Polish international before rolling the ball into the far corner of the net. Rooney was close to doubling the lead within two minutes, rattling the crossbar with a smart shot on the turn inside the area. The Saints impressed with their passing game, and they could have scored had striker Dani Osvaldo packed more power into his close-range shot at David De Gea.

The woodwork denied van Persie in a lively spell just after the hour mark when he hit the bar with a header from a corner, and seconds later Boruc denied Januzaj the chance of another spectacular goal when he punched away the Belgian-born youngster’s long-range shot. Van Persie was inches away from touching in a Rooney cross on 72 minutes, and substitute Danny Welbeck could have put Rooney in for a chance but for a superbly-timed tackle from Morgan Schneiderlin. Mauricio Pochettino’s visitors looked increasingly threatening and De Gea had saves to make before Lallana struck. Five minutes of injury time arrived but United could not find another breakthrough in reply.


Culled From Manutd.com

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SPORTS: Southampton 2 - 0 Swansea City

Saints Stay In Top Four!
Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez strikes secured Southampton a third successive Premier League victory, albeit in somewhat fortuitous fashion against Swansea.

The clash between two sides known for their attractive style lived up the billing, with play flowing from end to end in a pulsating encounter at St Mary's.

Swansea dominated proceedings after Lallana's first-half strike, only for substitute Rodriguez to make the most of slack defending to secure a 2-0 win for Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The result was harsh on Michael Laudrup's side, who showed no signs of a hangover from Thursday's Europa League clash against St Gallen as they pressed from the outset.

After Lallana latched onto a neat ball from Steven Davis to put Saints ahead, Artur Boruc was forced into fine saves to stop Michu and Wilfried Bony levelling.

Nathan Dyer also hit the inside of the post as half-time approached, with Swansea continuing in the ascendancy after the break.

However, Southampton kept the Welsh side at bay to earn a fifth clean sheet of the term, with Rodriguez slotting home seven minutes from time after seeing a Victor Wanyama goal dubiously ruled out.

It was harsh scoreline on a Swansea side that made five changes from the win over St Gallen.

One of those to come in was Saints academy graduate Dyer, who burst down the right flank early on only to be blocked off by Dejan Lovren.

Jonjo Shelvey tested Boruc soon after as Swansea controlled the early tempo, but Saints soon settled into their stride.

Michel Vorm was fortunate to avoid punishment after appearing to handle outside the box under pressure, before Dani Osvaldo wriggled free and fired into the side netting from an acute angle.

An intelligent Rickie Lambert pass just evaded Lallana as Saints continued to threaten, finding the breakthrough in the 19th minute.

Morgan Schneiderlin cushioned a header back to Davis, whose delicate chipped pass found Lallana and the Saints captained rifled home.

It was just the hosts' second goal from open play this season, but they almost had another soon after as Lallana came close to latching onto a Lambert knock back.

The match was now flowing from end to end and Swansea were testing the Southampton defence with increasing regularity.

Jose Fonte had to react quickly to head behind a threatening Wayne Routledge cross, before Boruc fantastically denied a header from Michu, wearing a protective scrum cap after receiving a head injury on Thursday.

The Polish goalkeeper was again called into action to thwart hopeful efforts from Shelvey and Bony, as well as smother a low Dyer cross.

Lambert saw a long-range free-kick parried away when Saints returned to the attack, only for Swansea to come agonisingly close to levelling.

Dyer collected a clever backheel from Bony and had time to hit a left-footed strike that hit the inside of the post and flew across the goal before going out for a goal kick.

Davis and Lambert had attempts for Saints, only for Swansea to again threaten as a Dyer cross found Bony, whose powerful header was just pushed around the post by Boruc.

Shelvey, Dyer and Bony all had efforts early in the second half as Swansea continued in the ascendancy after Jose Canas was booked for a lunge on Osvaldo.

Saints were struggling to deal with the hosts' possession game and Lovren was given a yellow card for bringing down Bony on the edge of the box.

Shelvey floated the resulting free-kick just over, with James Ward-Prowse replacing Osvaldo as Pochettino looked to stem the flow.

The change appeared to work as Swansea attacked with less regularity and Saints managed to secure a better foothold on the game.

The hosts thought they had made it 2-0 in the 76th minute when Wanyama prodded home a Ward-Prowse's corner, which should not have been awarded in the first place.

The Kenyan raced to the corner in celebration, only for the goal to be ruled out by referee Mike Dean to the puzzlement of those inside St Mary's.

The home fans did not have to wait long for a second, though.

Chico failed to deal with a ball over the top and Rodriguez took advantage, grabbing possession and slotting home to secure three points.


Culled from espnfc.com

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