Southampton beat Everton on Ronald Koeman's St Mary's return

It was an unhappy return to St Mary's for Ronald Koeman as Everton were beaten 1-0 by former club Southampton.

Southampton took the lead after just 44 seconds when a Cedric Soares cross was not cleared and 19-year-old debutant Josh Sims squared for Charlie Austin to nod in.

Sims looked at home in the Premier League and Everton struggled to cope as he floated around the pitch.

Unlike their opponents the Toffees hadn't played in midweek but looked lethargic for long stretches and did not make Fraser Forster make a save until the 93rd minute.

The win moves Saints to tenth and they are now just two points behind Everton, who sit in seventh with 19 points.

Southampton’s production line is thriving again. One of the criticisms of Koeman’s tenure as Saints boss was that he was too reluctant to give young players opportunities, but the same can’t be said about Clause Puel. He sprung a surprise here by giving Sims his debut but the faith was repaid, with the assist just one of many standout moments in an impressive display. In previous weeks the likes of Sam McQueen, Jake Hesketh and Jack Stephens – as well as other youngsters – have also been given opportunities with fixtures piling up. There may not be another Gareth Bale coming through, but there’s certainly talent there and Southampton now have a manager who’s willing to trust it.

Cedric Soares (Southampton). Sims of course stood out, but Cedric's last two matches have been the best two of his Southampton career. He was sound defensively, keeping Bolasie quiet, and really stood out going forward. He put in a number of excellent crosses, most notably for the goal, and linked up well with Sims in particular as Everton were unable to cope with his marauding runs forward.

1 – GOAL! Southampton 1-0 Everton (Austin). What a start for Saints! Cedric's cross isn't cleared and Sims squares for Austin to tap in from close range!

17 – CHANCE! Redmond dinks a cross in for Sims who's in space eight yards out but doesn't put his header near enough to the corner and Stekelenburg saves.

26 – CHANCE! Coleman makes inroads down the right and then pulls it back for Gueye by the penalty spot but the Senegalese midfielder skies the shot.

49 – CHANCE! A good Ward-Prowse corner runs to Hojbjerg at the far post, who skips past a defender then thunders a shot off the near post.

78 – CHANCE! Stekelenburg fumbles a Ward-Prowse shot and Austin takes the rebound wide before squaring to Ward-Prowse who can't convert from close range.

89 – CHANCE! Valencia's glancing header, from a Mirallas cross, goes inches wide.

Southampton: Forster 6, Cedric 8, Fonte 7, Van Dijk 7, Bertrand 6, Romeu 6, Ward-Prowse 8, Hojbjerg 7, Redmond 6, Sims 8, Austin 6. Subs: Clasie 6, McQueen 5, Long 6.

Everton: Stekelenburg 6, Baines 5, Jagielka 6, Williams 6, Coleman 7, Gueye 6, Barry 6, Lennon 4, Barkley 5, Bolasie 6, Lukaku 5. Subs: Deulofeu 5, Mirallas 6, Valencia 6.

Austin’s goal was the first header Saints have scored in the Premier League this campaign.

Southampton have allowed their opponents only 31 shots on target this season, the fewest in the league.

Everton have taken just five points from their last eight games.