Richarlison scored with Everton's only shot on target to clinch a 1-0 win against stuttering Southampton and seal a first Premier League home win at Goodison Park this calendar year. 

The Brazilian burst through the Saints' back line after just nine minutes, collecting a Gylfi Sigurdsson pass in his stride before rounding keeper Fraser Forster to score the only goal of a game lacking in quality and clear-cut chances. 

Late in the second half, Moussa Djenepo fired high and wide across the face of Everton's goal when hitting the target appeared to be the easier option and Jordan Pickford was alert enough to save a scooped shot from a grounded Jannik Vestergaard, Southampton's only effort on target over the 90 minutes. 

The Saints have lost eight of their last nine league games and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl was a frustrated figure after the game. 

"The goal is a long ball, we don’t defend it well," he said. "That’s it from Everton. They had a few chances from set pieces.  

The will to win, to score, is not there at the moment - Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl

"We at the moment cannot score, that is the problem. We had chances today but the last pass, the will to win, to score, is not there at the moment. It’s not the same team that played in the first half of the season. 

"The guys did OK in the second half, we tried to have a high energy level and to push back, but the goals are missing at the moment and without goals it’s tough to win games."

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti declared himself "really pleased" with the result.

"We were focused, defensively did really well, we had a good combination in front," said Ancelotti. "The performance was good and we deserved to win. 

"We have the luck that we have two fantastic strikers with different characteristics, and they are really effective up front. 

"When you are 1-0 up, the last minute is always the same. The opponent puts a lot of power in the last minutes and we have to control it. We controlled it well. 

"They had practically only one opportunity and they shot wide. Pickford was good in goal, really secure. I’m really pleased."

Read on for all the top facts and stats from a win that keeps Everton's hope of a place in Europe alive. 

Did you know?

Everton scored with the first shot of the game for the fourth time in the Premier League this season. Only Manchester City can match that. 

By netting the winner, Richarlison has now scored in three consecutive Premier League appearances for Everton for the first time since December 2019. 

It was Richarlison's fourth goal against Southampton, matching his career best established against Wolves and Leicester. 

Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse was making his 83rd consecutive Premier League appearance, which is presently the longest run by any outfield player in the competition. Only Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is on a longer streak with 102.

Southampton's defeat means they have lost five consecutive away matches in the Premier League for the first time since May 2015 under Ronald Koeman. They have also won just one point from the last 27 on offer (P9 W0 D1 L8).