Stuart Armstrong and Shane Long scored rare Premier League goals to give Southampton a deserved 2-0 win over a disappointing Everton at St Mary's
Southampton, now unbeaten in nine home league games, took the lead when Armstrong finished off a bright attacking move seven minutes into the second half (52), before substitute Long headed in to secure the points with his first touch (84)
Both players ended long Premier League goal droughts
 Armstrong's previous strike came in April 2021, while Long last scored in February 2020
The result continues Southampton's fine run
 They are unbeaten in four Premier League games and have lost just once in 11 matches in all competitions
 Ralph Hasenhuttl's side stay 10th
Despite some promising build-up play early on from Everton, they never looked like threatening in the final third
 Southampton dominated in every area of the field, registering 19 shots in total
 The visitors failed to have one on target
Frank Lampard thought he had generated lift-off with a 3-0 home thumping of Leeds last weekend, but the former Chelsea boss will need no telling that this loss - and a disappointing performance overall - leaves his team still flirting with a relegation battle
 They stay 16th, four points above the drop zone
"I think it's really clear isn't it? The position we're in in the table is clear, it's not something we have to debate," Lampard said when asked if Everton are in a genuine tussle to stay up
"As a team and staff we just have to work on getting results to improve our position
"When we won last week things looked a lot better and we've lost today and it looks worse
"Everton started brightly but Southampton soon took control of the game, stifling their opponents with a far more aggressive midfield approach
 James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu's mix of industry and ingenuity, as well as Kyle Walker-Peters' enthusiasm down the left flank, restricted the away side to very little after the opening 15 minutes
Allan was booked for a desperate scything challenge in a bid to assert some authority for the visitors, then conceded a dangerous free-kick on the edge of his own area
 Ward-Prowse hit the target with a trademark whipped strike, but Jordan Pickford was able to tip the ball around the post
Tino Livramento was as stunned as the home crowd to see his flick rebuffed at point-blank range by Pickford next, from Ward-Prowse's smart corner
 Jan Bednarek then met Romeu's teasing cross with a thumping header, but Pickford was there again to save before the offside flag went up
The opening of the half fell to Walker-Peters, who picked his spot and drilled goalwards
 His rasping strike beat Pickford but skimmed the outside of the post
Dominic Calvert-Lewin nodded home straight after the break as Everton started quickly again, but the England striker was comfortably offside
Southampton kept their heads though and Armstrong's measured finish finally rewarded their dominance
 Everton lost the ball in midfield and Romeu drove forward before passing to Che Adams
 The Scotland forward then laid the ball off to his international team-mate who drilled home a smart finish to beat Pickford at his near post
The hosts could easily have doubled their lead moments later, but Adams' flick from Ward-Prowse's inch-perfect ball nestled straight into the Everton goalkeeper's gloves
Mohamed Elyounoussi nodded another unplayable Ward-Prowse free-kick onto the crossbar with Pickford standing no chance, as Southampton sought to sustain their control
 Their dominance never wavered, and late replacement Long nodded home a match-sealing second with his first touch after replacing Armando Broja, who impressed again
The three points see Southampton cement themselves in 10th place in the Premier League table and after the match,  hailed his team's extra gear
"This win was much harder than it might seem in the result," he said
"The first half was very tough against an opponent full of energy
"We played against the wind in the first half, and we couldn't speed up the game after winning the ball
"But the belief is absolutely there, we are convinced in our qualities and we were able to bring that quality in the second half
"We had another gear in the second half, after the first goal you could see a difference
"We were more dominant in the second half and this is exactly the way we want to play
"Everton slipped to their second defeat in three league encounters under new boss , who insists his side must accept and embrace their relegation battle
"I don't think we have to deny our position
 Our league position explains a lot and is one of the reasons I'm here," he said
"It's my job to find the reasons why this has happened
"When we have been great we have backed ourselves, but the minute games turn against us there can be a mentality issue for the players
"And I can totally understand confidence issues, but the only way to come out of that is through work and application
"We are focused on the job in hand
 We have to have a belief in what we're doing, the home games have shown that
"It's just very clear what's in front of us
 There's never a magic wand, but we're very understanding of the situation
"We've addressed a lot in terms of the way we want to play, but there's still things you can't change instantly
"Today was really eye-opening in the second half, of where we are and where we want to get to
"It felt like reverting to type a little bit after we conceded, and I want to change that
 So, there's lots to learn for us
"Back at left-back following the return of Tino Livramento, Kyle Walker-Peters was Southampton's standout performer and will feel unfortunate to have left St Mary's without a goal
The 24-year-old's attacking performance was superb
 Everton could not find a way to stop his relentless runs forward and had it not been for an inspired Jordan Pickford - and the post - he would be walking away with his name on the scoresheet
Walker-Peters arrived at Southampton on an initial loan deal from Tottenham in January 2020 before his move was made permanent that summer on a five-year contract
It was excellent business from Southampton
 He has elevated his game to new levels under Ralph Hasenhuttl and is now an established Premier League full-back
:Southampton are reaping the rewards of sticking with manager Ralph Hasenhuttl
The Austrian has overseen two 9-0 Premier League defeats since taking charge at the end of 2018, but Saturday's convincing win over Everton saw his side extend their unbeaten run in the league to four matches
 In all competitions, they have lost just once in 11
Apart from the opening 10 minutes, Southampton dominated and could have scored more had it not been for an inspired Jordan Pickford in goal
 The hosts had 19 shots, with 11 of those on target
"The belief is absolutely there, we are convinced in our qualities," said Hasenhuttl
Saturday's victory came after an impressive win at Tottenham and draws against both Manchester clubs
 Southampton are growing in confidence and undoubtedly on an upward trajectory
 They are playing some of the best football in the division
:Everton boss Frank Lampard thought he had generated lift-off with last weekend's 3-0 home win over Leeds in his third match in charge, but he will not need reminding that his side's dismal showing at Southampton on Saturday keeps them well and truly in a relegation battle
"I think it's really clear isn't it? The position we're in in the table is clear, it's not something we have to debate," he said afterwards
Despite starting brightly at St Mary's, his side never really looked like scoring