Toffees dreaming of Europe

EVERTON’S Champions League dreams remain on track thanks to last night’s 1-0 victory over a Southampton side anxiously looking on the other end of the Premier League table.

Richarlison scored for the third-successive match inside the first 10 minutes to move Carlo Ancelotti’s side within two points of fourth-placed West Ham with a match in hand.

But while their worst home run since 1958 was brought to an end, the pain for Saints continued with just one draw and eight defeats in their last nine league matches, leaving them seven points above the bottom three and wondering just where their next win will come from.

On present and past form it was unlikely to be Goodison Park where Everton are unbeaten against them in the league since 1997, but considering their hosts’ poor home form – three successive defeats – they may have had an opportunity had they been able to carve out some half-decent chances.

Their only real opportunity fell to Moussa Djenepo in the final 10 minutes – and he blazed wide when well placed – but it was an escape for Everton, who faded after having a second goal ruled out for offside.

Richarlison’s ninthminute finish was only his fifth in the league this season but, since the start of last season, Joao Pedro (30) and Paris St Germain’s Neymar (19) are the only Brazilians to score more goals in the top five European leagues than him.

Gareth Bale scored twice against Burnley on Sunday.