Early Charlie Austin goal helps Southampton overcome Everton

Southampton have claimed their first Premier League victory in five matches as Charlie Austin's early header gave Claude Puel's side a 1-0 win over Everton at St Mary's Stadium.

The Saints took the lead on Sunday after just 41 seconds through Austin, who was perfectly positioned on the goalline to head home Josh Sims's cross after a scramble in the Toffees' box.

Ronald Koeman's players enjoyed a prolonged spell of possession after conceding, but before long the pendulum swung back the way of Southampton, with Sims heading straight at Maarten Stekelenburg on the quarter-hour mark and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg enjoying a number of chances.

At the break the hosts remained in the lead, and they continued to impress after the restart, Hojbjerg firing against the Everton post and Austin forcing a save from Stekelenburg, although Yannick Bolasie did come close for Everton just before the hour.

Both sides traded numerous chances in the second half but one goal is all that would separate the two at the final whistle as Koeman suffered a losing return to his old club.