Half-Time Report: Own goals give Southampton lead

A brace of own goals have given Southampton a 2-0 lead over Everton at St Mary's in the Premier League this lunchtime.

The Saints were ahead less a minute into the match when Rickie Lambert sent a cross into the box, which Antolin Alcaraz headed past his own keeper.

Romelu Lukaku had a chance to get the Toffees back on level terms just a couple of minutes later, but he sliced his finish just high from the edge of the box.

After an end-to-end spell with few clear-cut chances, Lambert came close to setting up a second for the home side when he sent a through-ball forward for Steven Davis, but he smashed his finish wide.

Southampton did manage to extend their advantage shortly after though, when a Nathaniel Clyne cross into the box cleared two defenders before falling to Seamus Coleman, who deflected the ball past Tim Howard for the second own goal of the day.

The home side wanted a penalty shortly before the break when an Adam Lallana cross hit the hand of John Stones, but the referee dismissed their appeals.