MATCH REPORT: EVERTON 3-1 SOUTHAMPTON

Photo credit: Lindsey Parnaby (AFP/Getty Images)

Everton came from behind to win 3-1 over Southampton and start their new campaign in positive fashion.

New signing Adam Armstrong had fired the Saints in front on 22 minutes, but Richarlison responded minutes after the break before Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin strikes secured victory for the Toffees.

It was the first match in front of a full Goodison Park since March 2020 and was also the first match in charge for Rafael Benitez after his controversial appointment earlier in the summer.

After a shaky first 45 minutes, a change in system in the second half saw the hosts dominate and take home three well-earned points.

A Michael Keane error had allowed Armstrong, signed for £15m from Blackburn Rovers, through on goal and he calmly beat Euro 2020 hero Jordan Pickford to give his new side the lead that they maintained until half-time.

Everton found their rhythm in the second half and equalised just two minutes in with a close-range strike from Richarlison, fresh from winning Olympic gold just a week before.

The Blues continued to threaten the Southampton goal but it took until the 76^th minute for them to finally go ahead with a ferocious hit from the edge of the area from Doucoure.

The match was then wrapped up five minutes later when top scorer for the Toffees last season Calvert-Lewin met Richarlison’s driven cross with a diving header.

Goodison Park was in full voice as Everton continued their impressive opening day record that has seen them avoid beginning the season with a defeat since 2011.

It was a big day for Benitez who has many critics to defy due to his past with his new side’s greatest rivals but leading performances like that will get the Evertonians backing him in no time.