Everton 1-0 Southampton: Richarlison’s ninth-minute winner sees hosts move within two points of Premier League top-four places

Everton closed the gap on the top-four spots to just two points, and with a game in hand, as they won 1-0 against Southampton on Monday night.

Richarlison scored the only goal of the match early in the first half in a one-sided Premier League affair at Goodison Park. It was also their first league win at home in six attempts.

Meanwhile, an out of form Southampton side failed to register a shot on target until the 90th minute as they now have gone nine-straight top-flight matches without a win.

The Toffees took the lead in the ninth minute when Gylfi Sigurdsson collected a loose ball in midfield and played an early pass through to Richarlison. The Brazilian did rest as he rounded Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster before putting the ball into an open net from a tight angle.

Everton thought they had doubled their lead midway through the second half when Michael Keane headed home a free-kick. However, VAR stepped in and overruled the goal as Keane was offside.

Southampton built up pressure towards the end of the first half but couldn’t capitalise on their momentum. This was best summarised by Danny Ings and Moussa Djenepo getting in each other’s way when trying to shoot at goal.

After a quiet opening to the second half the first big chance fell to the hosts again. Another free-kick was met by the head of Keane but his effort across goal wasn’t met by a team-mate and Southampton cleared their lines.

Southampton almost drew level in the closing moments but Djenepo fired a shot past the far post when played through in the penalty area.

The visitors wasted another good chance in injury time when Jannick Vestergaard saw his close-range shot saved by Jordan Pickford as Everton held on for the win.

The result sees Everton move within three points of the top four with a game in hand. They sit seventh on 43 points, two points behind fourth-placed West Ham.

For Southampton, the defeat leaves them just seven points above the relegation zone and in desperate need of a win.

By Evan Clem