Everton 3-0 Southampton: Enner Valencia inspires Toffees to Goodison Park success
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Enner Valencia came off the bench, to start an important new year for Everton in style.
The Blues have a new investor in Farhad Moshiri who has promised not only to invest hundreds of millions in the team, but also start the build of a new stadium in 2017 if at all possible, to suggest a new dawn for the club.
Yet it was a player who cost Everton nothing – in the form of a loan deal – who stole the headlines and condemned Southampton to defeat, when he fired home from close range just 10 minutes after coming on, and then won a penalty to confirm victory.
(Photo: PA Wire)
It was one of the few bright periods of a tense game. First Fraser Forster saved Romelu Lukaku's header brilliantly, but was unlucky to see it flick off the big Everton striker and fall to the West Ham striker, who bundled the ball home.
Then Maya Yoshida came through the back of Valencia on the edge of the box as the striker controlled, and Leighton Baines converted in style.
(Photo: REUTERS)
(Photo: REUTERS)
Even the previously disappointing Romelu Lukaku got in on the act when he scored a third on the stroke of full time, as Saints' Christmas programme caught up with them.
Here are five things we learned.
1. Saints miss Van Dijk
(Photo: REUTERS)
Southampton are solid but unremarkable this season, which is no wonder, given they almost automatically lose their best players, once they show any form.
Van Dijk was missing here, and in the end, they paid the price for his absence.
2. Rodriguez back in form
(Photo: Clive Brunskill)
It's beginning to look a lot like Rodriguez.
Jay has suffered incredible torment with injuries after so many struggles with injury.
It has taken him six months, but his old instinct is back, and 2017 could see him return to the England fold.
3. Davies shines for Toffees
(Photo: PA Wire)
Everton's kids have promise, but the Premier League is a tough crowd to break.
Tom Davies looks energetic and neat in the middle, but in these days when the money is available to buy quality, the competition is hot.
4. Williams getting back to his best
(Photo: REUTERS)
Ashley Williams is a fine buy for the Blues, even if his best years are probably behind him.
He changes partner virtually every week, and had to nurse the struggling Funes Mori here, but his is a leader and that is important.
5. Festive period takes its toll
(Photo: REUTERS)
Is it any wonder teams look listless in the New Year, after a programme of so many games over the festive period.
Yes, they did it in the past, but they didn't run 15km a game back then, or have the athleticism of today. It needs changing.
Player ratings
Everton
Joel 6 - Little to do in first half, and made important save late on
Coleman 7 - Usual amount of energy, and impressively kept it going
Williams 7 - Led by example with strong showing at heart of defence
Funes Mori 6 - Given trouble by Rodriguez but battled to stick to task
Baines 7 - So consistent and also showed great urgency going forward
Gueye 7 - Last game for a while, and didn't disappoint with commitment
Davies 6 - Looked at home in hurly burly of Premier League, one to watch
Calvert-Lewin 5 - Sadly, didn't have time to make mark after early injury
Barkley 7 - MOTM. Again showed signs that his struggles are not so difficult
Lennon 6 - Did great job covering running back, less influence up front
Lukaku 6 - His laconic appearance causes frustration amongst the fans
Subs: Mirallas 6 (Calvert-Lewin 12), Valencia 6 (Lennon 62), Barry 6 (Barkley 85)
(Photo: Getty Images)
(Photo: Clive Brunskill)
Southampton
Forster 6 - Not troubled much in sterile game, unlucky to be beaten twice
Cedric 5 - Unlucky to bash head in hoarding, and carried off early
Fonte 7 - Led by example with intelligent display at the back
Yoshida 6 - Difficult job deputising van Dijk, but solid enough in defence
McQueen 6 - Big powerful lad who looks like will develop into real talent
Ward-Prowse 6 - Tidy display in the heart of midfield, needs to kick on now
Romeu 6 - Hard work and unflashy in the middle in dour central battle
Clasie 6 - Little man with big heart, also has ability to control game's pace
Redmond 6 - One outstanding chance in first half, but headed wide
Rodriguez 7 - Looks like he is slowly coming back to top pre-injury levels
Tadic 6 - Saw so little of ball but on rare occasions had flashes of quality
Subs: Stephens 6 (Cedric 6), Boufal 6 (Tadic 67), Long 6 (Clasie 78)