Everton dedicate win to Gomes

in the first half. We did not score again and after they equalised we showed a strong reaction and personality to keep going. I am pleased to see them do that.”

Everton had not won on the road since beating West Ham in March, while Saints were back at St Mary’s for the first time since their 9- 0 defeat to Leicester. And the hosts made a nightmare start when Tom Davies headed the visitors in front with only four minutes played – his first goal since May 2018.

Saints barely laid a glove on Everton in the first half and the Toffees would have been further in front but for Cenk Tosun failing to hit the target with a header from five yards.

Home boss Hasenhuttl called Sofiane Boufal from the bench at half-time and the Moroccan made an instant impact.

His powerful run and cross teed up Danny Ings to net the equaliser from close range in the 50th minute.

Silva could have been forgiven for feeling a sense of deja-vu after seeing his side throw away a lead in their last away game at Brighton.

But Everton slowly re-took control, with Gylfi Sigurdsson denied by a fingertip save from keeper Alex Mccarthy and Tosun dragging a shot across the face of goal.

Richarlison restored the Merseysiders’ lead with a neat cushioned volley after the impressive Djibril Sidibe had crossed from the right.

Saints huffed and puffed but never really looked like forcing their way back into the game for a second time.

Angry home me fans reacted to the full- time ime whistle by throwing scarves that had been handed ed out by the club as freebies on to the pitch.

Hasenhuttl uttl retains the backing of the board, but cut a dejected ed figure with Southampton ton one place off the bottom m of the table.

The Saints nts manager said: “It is understandable erstandable that everybody is down.

“We will be strong and must generate erate belief in what we are doing.

This is my job.

“I am here for facing such ch situations and for or us to be strong.”