LONDON: Everton's Brazilian striker Richarlison struck early to secure a 1-0 win over ailing Southampton in the Premier League on Monday and compound the problems for the free-falling visitors who have taken one point from the last 27 available.
Seventh-placed Everton is now level with Liverpool on 43 points with a game in hand and still very much in the hunt for the European places, while Southampton remains in 14th spot, seven points above the relegation zone.
Everton had the better of the few chances as they claimed a first home victory in six games at Goodison Park.
Richarlison provided a neat finish to Gylfi Sigurdsson's perfect through ball after nine minutes to secure the points after another toothless display from Ralph Hasenhuttl's side.
It was the fifth goal in as many games for Richarlison after a slump at the turn of the year, but it owed a lot to the vision of Sigurdsson, who filled the playmaker role vacated by the injured James Rodriguez.
Home defender Michael Keane had the ball in the net from a free-kick midway through the first half, but Mason Holgate was correctly ruled offside in the build-up and the goal ruled out.
Everton found plenty of space from free-kicks into the Saints box, and Keane twice lost his marker in the first 15 minutes of the second half but could not find the target.
As the game wore on and Everton sat back to protect their lead, Southampton finally created a couple of chances and may feel they should have come away with a point. Agencies
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