Southampton travelled to Goodison Park on Tuesday night to face Everton in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Southampton and Everton are the only teams in the Premier League without a point after four matches with both sides having massive games coming up at the weekend.
Southampton face Ipswich Town at home on Saturday, whilst Everton travel to Leicester City so it was unsurprising that both Russell Martin and Sean Dyche made multiple changes to their sides.
Lesley Ugochukwu was the only Saint to retain his place in the starting line-up from the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the X result.
It was a tale of two set-pieces in the first-half as Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring from an Everton corner on 20 minutes before Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed an equaliser on 32 minutes from a Charlie Taylor free-kick.
Little happened in the second 45 minutes as the game adopted the feel of one both sides felt they could do without.
It was a poor game of football that really lacked quality and was reflective of the position the two sides find themselves in the league.
However, it will be Southampton who progress after Alex McCarthy saved Ashley Young’s spot kick to win the penalty shootout.
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Southampton player ratings vs Everton
Alex McCarthy – 7.5.
Made some important saves in the first-half to keep the score 1-0 until Harwood-Bellis equalised.
Bailed Southampton out with a brilliant save from Jesper Lindstrom early in the second-half and won the shootout with a strong drop.
James Bree – 7
Did his defensive work well up against a tricky customer in Iliman Ndiaye and positioned himself well to mop up Everton danger on a couple of occasions.
Not as adventurous as Yukianri Sugawara tends to be from right-back but looked tidy in possession and was always available for a pass.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis – 8.5
Harwood-Bellis was handed the captaincy as he looked to cement his place in the starting XI following Jack Stephens’ red card at the weekend.
- READ MORE: Southampton boss Russell Martin shares what ‘annoyed’ him most about Jack Stephens red card
Stepped up to draw Saints level with a good header from close range from a Charlie Taylor free-kick moments after a vital intervention to stop Everton going 2-0 up at the other end.
Would have been hurt to come out of the side on Saturday and proved he should be in the XI that starts against Ipswich on next match.
Nathan Wood – 7
Up against a tricky customer in Beto and matched the striker’s physicality well to show he is more than just a good player on the ball.
Charlie Taylor – 7
Perfect delivery for Harwood-Bellis’ goal as he deputised for Kyle Walker-Peters at left-back and showed his experience to defend well on multiple occasions.
Looks composed and provides Southampton with a safe pair of hands at full-back.
Lesley Ugochukwu – 5
Struggled in the first-half as he was unable to dictate the tempo from the holding position in the same way as Flynn Downes.
Grew into the game in the second-half but needs to neaten up his passing.
Adam Lallana – 6
Played alongside Ugochukwu in a double pivot and was neat and tidy as you would expect.
Set the standard and constantly demanded the ball whilst instructing those around him as he showed real leadership before being withdrawn at half-time for Mateus Fernandes.
Joe Aribo – 5
Returned to the side after dropping to the bench against United and did not do all too much to show he should regain his league spot.
Battled well but little of note on the ball.
Maxwel Cornet – 5
Struggled to get in the game on his first start for Southampton but looked to be positive when he did. A couple of wild efforts but Martin will hope the minutes have done Maxwel Cornet some good moving forward.
Adam Armstrong – 3
Handed an opportunity to show Martin he can lead the line for Southampton against Premier League opposition and failed to take it with an anonymous display.
Also surprisingly not handed the captain’s armband in the absence of Stephens given Armstrong skippered the side on multiple occasions last season.
Ryan Fraser – 4
Some very welcome minutes in the legs for Ryan Fraser who spent the summer training alone having been frozen out by Newcastle United but very little to show for the winger.
Missed a golden chance in the 56th minute after good work from Fernandes.
Substitutes:
Mateus Fernandes – 7
Injected some energy and creativity into the Southampton side and should start against Ipswich.
Flynn Downes – 5
Tyler Dibling – 7
Ben Brereton Diaz – 4
Ross Stewart – N/A