Southampton 1-0 Everton: Adam Armstrong scores late winner to hand Saints their first victory of the season – after VAR ruled out Beto equaliser
Adam Armstrong’s late winner gave Southampton their first Premier League win of the season in a dramatic final at St Mary’s.
Armstrong gave The Saints the lead after 85 minutes, moments after Everton substitute Beto had hit the crossbar.
And the visitors knew their luck had been tried when Beto thought he had leveled two minutes from time, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check.
Everton will be feeling desperate at the end of their five-match unbeaten run after dominating the second half, but for under-fire Southampton manager Russell Martin the result could be a life-saver with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also making key saves would make.
Given their predicament at the bottom of the table, the home side were disappointed not to have a shot on target in the first half, although Taylor Harwood-Bellis missed with a close-range header and Cameron Archer dragged a shot wide when put through. Flynn Downes.
Adam Armstrong gave Southampton their first Premier League win of the season
The 27-year-old rode away in celebration after finding the back of the net late in the evening
Armstrong produced a composed finish to beat Jordan Pickford and seal all three points
But the only work Everton number 1 Jordan Pickford had to do was push an Armstrong cross out of danger before anyone could get a tap on the far post.
The visitors improved in the second half. Ashley Young, making his 400th Premier League start, set up Orel Mangala, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Ramsdale.
The former Arsenal keeper then turned Michael Keane’s shot onto the post and clawed away Jesper Lindstrom’s free-kick towards the top corner.
Martin tried to change the narrative by sending in 18-year-old prodigy Tyler Dibling, and he and Kyle Walker-Peters began to find joy combining on the right.
However, they enjoyed their fair share of luck as Beto guided James Tarkowski’s cross into the woodwork and Saints went to the other end to score.
Sugawara’s intelligent low cross found Armstrong on the edge of the penalty area and he scored his first Premier League goal of the season.
Even then, Everton rallied again and thought they were level when Beto controlled and fired a finish past Ramsdale.
It was an incredibly tight offside move. When it all went in Southampton’s favour, Everton’s players were on their knees at the final whistle.