EVERTON AT ST MARY'S

Not feeling good about this......and it's not helped by being live on BT Sports, I don't think we have had a good result when shown by them.

Can we get 3 points???

I find it hard to believe there are only 3 games to play this season, it still feels to me like we have just started, must be the shortest season ever!

Like you Mike not a good feeling about this primarily due to our lack of cutting edge at the moment and inability to score, I would settle for a 1 -1 draw but think we might lose 2 - 1, as Lukaku always scores against us

Fingers crossed on this one.

Well Pete, fingers crossed worked. After the debacle against Cardiff Saints got back to winning ways with an excellent team performance against a strong Everton side. Despite both goals being own goals that should not detract from an all round good performance in particular a dominant midfield.
No Schneiderlin so saw Cork and Wanyama in the middle which most thought would not work and think Pochitino will have to rethink after this game. Both were excellent and seemed to complement each other.

Everton took the kick off but saints quickly won the ball, Lallana neatly turned to lose his man, played the ball to Cork who slipped down the channel for Lambert who seeing Gallagher in the middle of the box crossed only for a fine diving header by Alacraz inside the near post with Howard rooted to the spot.

Great start and saints continued to have possession but the threat was there from Everton with Lukaku taking an early shot but lacked control and sailed high over the bar. Fairly open game with both sides trying to score , Everton nearly got in behind the back but Shaw came in with a great saving tackle to block the cross. Cork had a shot which was comfortable for Howard yet passed up a better opportunity later in the half. Saints nearly got the second with great play again down the saints left side involving Shaw and lambert who got to the by-line and cut the ball right back to find Davis on edge of box who under pressure tried to place with outside of his foot and went wide.

Saints got the second when Cline went down the right side beat his man and hit a decent cross and Coleman got caught stuck and planted a soft header back past Howard. Just goes to show get the ball in the box with a decent cross and anything can happen. Cue chants "We've got your back four, we've got your back four, who needs Rodrigues. we've got your back four" Lovren had a header saved then lallana worked his magic in the box jinxed into space to chip the ball which clearly hit a hand yet referee with great view ruled no penalty, we had an earlier hand ball not given which was slightly harsher but don't know what we have to do to win a penalty these days.

saints were comfortable until half time, Gallagher drawing a foul and booking for Barry.

Shaw made a decent run and cross but Cork coming in from right side made a hash of it. Saints again came close to a goal following a free kick about 20 yards out, Lambert stepped up and kept low past the wall but hit the post having beaten Howard. Everton then had a close call for a penalty, Osman who came on at half time went down from a tackle by Lovren in front of us. certainly Lovren played the man not the ball though it did look like Osman was starting to fall before any contact, ref saw it that way and booked Osmand for diving. Think if had been the other way around I would have been unhappy if not given for Saints. Saints then had third appeal for handball turned down when lallana neatly controlled in the area and looked like ball was blocked with a hand but only a corner given. Baines who have to say looked second best to Shaw today hit a deep cross and Boruc left to go wide but seemed very close to dropping in, had a huge grin when collecting the ball from Everton fans so think may well have misjudged! several surging runs by Shaw could have lead to more, same as previous weeks, quiet going forward first half running down by Kingsland but second half much more aggressive going forward along the Itchen stand, where coincidentally Hodgson was sitting!!

Some good keep ball in last 5 minutes by Saints, Ward-Prowse had a decent chance but blocked by Howard and even Guly came on for last few minutes but even he couldn't mess this one up.

Boruc 7 not a lot to do couple of saves from free kicks and crosses but did well
Shaw 8 very strong second half and must have impressed Hodgson with Baines on the pitch as well. Shaw won today
Fonte 7 strong and kept it simple
Lovren 7 looked solid against Lukaku nearly gave away a penalty
Cline 8 really good game going forward and defensively must have impressed Hodgson
Davis 7 non stop running another great game
Wanyama 8 a beast of a performance strong in the tackle and was quicker in his passing, one of his best games
Cork 9 Outstanding today great distribution and stronger in the challenge
Lallana 8 lots of trickery and think he is in seat 2a on the flight to Brazil
Lambert 8 Excellent all round game linking play, crossing , just wish he had shot on cple of occasions when had chance
Gallagher 7 no clear chance at goal but some good runs and will be learning all the time

Subs
ward Prowse 6 plenty of running around and at least had a decent shot on target
Reed 6 on a for a little while lots of energy
Guly 6 last few minutes nearly created a chance for himself

so 2 games left and looks like 8th place should be ours, Newcastle 6 points behind and have to play away to Arsenal and Liverpool

Watched on BT Sports and must say it was great to see Saints thoroughly deserve the win.....and not throw away a half-time lead.

Clyne was named the channel's Man of the Match, both he and Cork must have done themselves a lot of good with Hodgson watching.....pity just too late for the World Cup.

After the game Lallana was asked about a possible transfer and said he would have to sit down in the summer to think about things........wish he could have said that he wanted to stay!

Tino was asked a similar question about possible transfers, and pointedly ignored the question humorously....he seems a great chap.

Thanks once again Matty. A great result.

Think Lallana just wants to know who is manager, I think he can see how he has improved from a player with potential to one challenging as an England starter, under a manger who at first always subbed him. If Poch stays then so will Lallana.

to late I'm afraid for Cork but Cline must be on his thoughts if anyone picks up an injury, for me I would take Cline over Johnson any day of the week