Everton's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dealt a severe blow on Saturday thanks to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
The hosts took the lead inside the opening minute as Rickie Lambert's cross was headed into his own net by Antolin Alcaraz.
Everton then shot themselves in the foot for a second time on 16 minutes when Seamus Coleman nodded the ball past Tim Howard.
Read Sports Mole's minute-by-minute report below to find out how all of the action unfolded at St Mary's Stadium.
Hello there and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League encounter between Southampton and Everton at St Mary's Stadium. We should have some team news through for you shortly...
There's plenty at stake for Everton today as they look to remain in the hunt for Champions League qualification. The Toffees, who beat Manchester United 2-0 last weekend, will move above Arsenal into fourth place if they avoid defeat on the South Coast.
SOUTHAMPTON: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Wanyama, Cork, S Davis, Lallana (c); Lambert, Gallagher
SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Chambers, Hooiveld, Targett, Reed
Southampton make two changes to their starting XI following last weekend's 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, with Jack Cork and Sam Gallagher getting the nod from Mauricio Pochettino. Morgan Schneiderlin misses out through injury, while James Ward-Prowse drops to the bench.
EVERTON: Howard; Coleman, Baines, Stones, Alcaraz; Barry, McCarthy, Naismith, Barkley; Lukaku, Deulofeu
EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Hibbert, McGeady, Osman, Garbutt, Browning, Ledson
Everton also opt to make two changes after their 2-0 win against Manchester United last Sunday. Sylvain Distin and Kevin Mirallas are both unavailable through injury, so Antolin Alcaraz and Gerard Deulofeu both come into the side. Leon Osman and Aiden McGeady are among the substitutes.
While Everton still have lots to play for this season, the same can't be said of Southampton. The Saints are likely to finish in eighth place in the table following a disappointing three-match winless run in the Premier League. That said, they will be eager to get back to winning ways this afternoon. With talk of manager Mauricio Pochettino leaving in the summer, the club should be keen to keep a positive atmosphere around the place.
Recent form:
SOUTHAMPTON: WLWLLD
EVERTON: WWWWLW
Everton's recent form in the Premier League has been nothing short of sensational. The Toffees have won eight out of their last nine matches. The only defeat in that time came against Crystal Palace on April 16 when they suffered a surprise 3-2 loss at Goodison Park. How costly could that defeat prove to be at the end of the season? Roberto Martinez will be hoping not that much.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez speaking with the club's official website about his admiration for opposite number Mauricio Pochettino: "I have huge admiration, huge. Mauricio came in at a difficult time where Southampton had had a very successful period of two promotions with the previous management team, but he embraced the good work that Nigel (Adkins) did and transformed the team.
"It's a team that plays with a real bravery, they condense the spaces, they press very dynamic and they have got really good quality in the young players that have been given strong roles.
"It's been very impressive how they always get good performances against the top sides, especially at home. They always get good results against the top teams. I think that shows you that the team plays with incredible swagger, with incredible intelligence in the way that they are set up tactically and they make it very difficult."
HEAD TO HEAD: It's Everton who have the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 40 games compared to Southampton's 22. The sides have also played out 18 draws. The Toffees have also had the upper hand in recent years, going unbeaten in their last eight matches versus the Saints. In that time the Merseysiders have won four and drawn four. Southampton's last triumph against Everton came back in September 2002 when they won 1-0 here at St Mary's Stadium.
This season's reverse fixture at Goodison Park saw Everton run out 2-1 winners. Gaston Ramirez had cancelled out Seamus Coleman's opener before Romelu Lukaku popped up with 15 minutes left to secure the points for the hosts.
REFEREE WATCH: Today's official is Michael Oliver, who has handed out 88 yellow cards and three red cards in 24 games this season.
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino speaking ahead of the game: "Ever since we have been here, for a year and five months, we have installed a style and I think Everton have only played our style for a year.
"I think we did it before them, playing this way. We have similar styles and it would be a brilliant achievement if they were to get a top-four place.
"The fact that my club is compared to Everton is an honour and we are going to try and win a game against a very good side."
One fascinating battle in this afternoon's match is likely to be that between Adam Lallana and Ross Barkley. Both players look certain to be part of the England squad for this summer's World Cup, but a big performance today could see one of them stake a claim for being in the starting lineup for the first game against Italy on June 14.
PREDICTION TIME: Today's match has all the makings of a cracker, with two teams who are known for their swashbuckling football coming up against each other. However, we here at Sports Mole can see Everton earning a narrow 2-1 win to keep their hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
The players are lined up in the tunnel, ready to walk out onto the pitch at St Mary's Stadium. The conditions are overcast on the South Coast this afternoon, though that should not stop either of these sides from entertaining.
KICKOFF! The teams are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Everton to get us underway. Here we go!
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 1-0 EVERTON (ALCARAZ, OWN GOAL)
What a start for Southampton as they take the lead inside the first minute through an own goal from Antolin Alcaraz! The Saints broke down the left with Lambert, whose cross was diverted past Howard by the head of Alcaraz. It's a nightmare for the Toffees.
CHANCE! Almost an equaliser for Everton as Lukaku meets Coleman's cross, but the Belgian can only shank his effort high over the crossbar from about 15 yards. You get the feeling that we're in for an entertaining afternoon.
Southampton are playing with a great tempo and intensity at the moment. They're not allowing Everton any time on the ball, chasing and hustling whenever they can. The visitors manage to win themselves a corner, though nothing comes of it.
It's the hosts who are still controlling the early stages of this match, though Everton are starting to show flashes of menace. Despite going behind inside the opening minute the Toffees don't look like they are in too much shock. Roberto Martinez's side have shown plenty of belief throughout the season, and they look as if they are ready to assert themselves a bit more.
There's some great end-to-end football being played right now, with the two sides showing no fear in going forward. However, Everton seem to have found there rhythm in the last few minutes, which could be ominous for Southampton.
While the football has been entertaining, the chances have been few and far between inside the opening stages. Both teams are looking hungry for goals, but there just hasn't been that killer instinct in the final third.
CHANCE! Almost 2-0 to Southampton following some great play from Lambert. The striker received the ball down the left once again before holding up play to allow Davis to run into space on the edge of the box. Lambert picked out his teammate with a perfectly-weighted pass, but Davis could only fire wide from 20 yards.
The momentum seems to be back with Southampton right now as they push hard for a second goal. Meanwhile, Everton are struggling to create anything at the other end of the pitch. The Toffees need to be a bit more incisive up front if they want to get back in this match.
Everton are having to show their defensive qualities at the moment, with Southampton mounting attack after attack. The visitors are finding it hard to dominate in midfield, an area that they are usually in control of.
Some danger in the Southampton penalty area there as Baines whipped in a superb free kick from the left. The visitors had plenty of bodies in the box, but the Saints did enough to clear the threat.
GOAL! SOUTHAMPTON 2-0 EVERTON (COLEMAN, OWN GOAL)
Would you believe it?! Southampton extend their lead with another own goal, this time from Seamus Coleman. Clyne's cross from the right went over the heads of two Everton defenders before bouncing off the head of Coleman and past Howard. It's cruel on the Irishman because he was not expecting the ball to reach him.
CHANCE! Southampton are dominating at the moment, and they nearly get a third when Lovren gets his head on a cross from the left. However, his effort is straight at Howard. Everton are going to need to improve dramatically if they want to take something from this game. They've been second best so far.
Everton win themselves a couple of corners in quick succession, though Baines's delivery on both occasions fails to cause Southampton any problems. A goal before the break would be ideal for the Toffees. It's looking unlikely, though it could change the whole dynamic of the match if they find the net in the next 10 minutes or so.
PENALTY APPEAL! Southampton want a penalty, claiming that the ball struck the arm of Stones. It certainly hit the youngster's arm as Lallana tried to cross the ball into the box, but he didn't have too much of an opportunity to get out of the way because he was so close. Probably the right call from referee Michael Oliver.
Not long to go in this first half, which has been dominated by Southampton. Their two goals may have come in fortunate circumstances, but there can be no denying that Mauricio Pochettino's side deserve to be ahead. They've been more creative and ambitious than their opponents so far.
BOOKING! Everton midfielder Gareth Barry is the first name in the book today for dragging down Gallagher with Southampton looking to break. Meanwhile, there will be just the one minute of added time.
HALF TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 2-0 EVERTON
Michael Oliver blows for the end of the half, with Southampton leading Everton 2-0 thanks to own goals from Antolin Alcaraz and Seamus Coleman. It's been a decent opening 45 minutes from the hosts, while the visitors have struggled.
Everton may claim that they've been unlucky with the nature of the goals that they've conceded, but Southampton are fully deserving of their lead. The Saints have been more energetic, enthusiastic and attack-minded. In contrast, Everton have been sloppy and well below par. Roberto Martinez is sure to be unhappy with what he's seen so far.
A draw for Everton would see them return to fourth place in the table having played a game more than Arsenal. There's still hope for the Merseysiders, but they will need a goal early in the second half to get them up and running. Martinez has named a pretty inexperienced bench this afternoon, though the likes of Leon Osman and Aideny McGeady may be needed.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The players are back out, and it will be Southampton to kick us off for the second half. Everton have indeed made a change during the break as Leon Osman replaces Ross Barkley. Can the midfielder make a difference to his side's fortunes?
It's been a positive start to the second half for Everton, who nearly create a great opening through Deulofeu. The Spanish youngster was played through by Naismith, but the linesman raised his flag for offside. It looked like Deulofeu could have actually been onside.
That decent spell of possession for Everton during that past few minutes was short-lived because Southampton are back on top, at least for the time being. The Saints are using the width of the pitch brilliantly, stretching their opponents with some expansive football down both flanks.
Southampton look like they're not willing to sit back on their lead, though a lot of other teams would. Instead the home side are eager to extend their advantage and make it almost impossible for Everton to mount a comeback. The visitors might not be threatening at the moment, but they're still just about in this match.
SUBSTITUTION: A second change for Everton now as Aiden McGeady enters the action in place of Gerard Deulofeu. The Spaniard has shown flashes of what we all know he is capable of, but he's not been terribly effective for the Merseysiders this afternoon.
OFF THE POST! That was close for Southampton, who almost went 3-0 up through Lambert. The striker lined up a free kick from about 25 yards before firing against the post and behind. That was a fine hit from the England international.
BOOKING! A moment of embarrassment for Osman as he is booked for diving following a challenge from Lovren in the box. That really could have gone either way. The Everton midfielder looks mystified by the decision.
CHANCE! Oh, Lukaku should score! McGeady does well down the left before floating a brilliant cross into the box. Lukaku leaps higher than everyone else in the six-yard box, but he can only direct his header straight at Boruc. Everton are starting to crank up the pressure.
Everton certainly fancy their chances of getting back in this match. Even if a win might be out of their reach, they will be happy to take a point at this stage.
Southampton are struggling to get hold of the ball as we enter the final 20 minutes at St Mary's Stadium. Everton aren't doing a great deal with the ball, but they're making sure that the tempo of the game is dictated by them. Roberto Martinez is looking animated on the touchline, encouraging his players to keep fighting.
Time looks to be running out for Everton now, though a goal in the next five minutes or so would make things very interesting indeed. Southampton are currently having to defend a lot more, but there looks to be little chance of them losing their concentration.
CHANCE! Everton nearly pull a goal back in strange circumstances as Baines's cross almost creeps in at the far post. The wind took a hold of the ball there, giving Boruc no chance. Southampton make a change shortly after, with James Ward-Prowse replacing Sam Gallagher.
Just over 10 minutes plus stoppage time remaining at St Mary's Stadium, and it's still Everton who continue to be the bigger attacking threat. They're throwing everyone forward now in the hope that they can reduce the deficit. Whatever the result turns out to be, Roberto Martinez will be the first to admit that the Toffees have not done themselves justice this afternoon.
PENALTY APPEAL! Everton are wanting a penalty again as Lovren tussles with McCarthy inside the box, but Michael Oliver waves play on. That would have been harsh on Southampton had Lovren been penalised.
Southampton are doing their best just to keep the ball and frustrate Everton. The visitors continue to buzz about the pitch in search of possession, but it looks like it will be the Saints who come away with the points. Another change for the home side sees Adam Lallana replaced by youngster Harrison Reed.
Everton a trying to provide a late flourish, though it's all in vain. A win for Arsenal against Newcastle United on Monday night would see the Gunners move four points clear of the Toffees with two games left to play. A final swap for Southampton sees Steven Davis withdrawn for Guly do Prado.
There will be three minutes of added time...
FULL TIME: SOUTHAMPTON 2-0 EVERTON
So, there we have it. Everton's chances of qualifying for the Champions League have been dealt a severe blow thanks to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton. Antolin Alcaraz put the ball in his own net inside the first minute to give the hosts the lead before Seamus Coleman did the same thing 15 minutes later. The Saints may have been fortunate with the two goals that they scored, but they are fully deserving of the three points.
That's all for our live text coverage of this afternoon's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction right here on Sports Mole. We've also got commentaries from today's other Premier League games, so follow the link here and see what takes your fancy. Thanks for your company, and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!
