Everton turned the ball into their own net twice to give Southampton a 2-0 win at St Mary's Stadium in the Premier League this afternoon.

The home side were ahead less than a minute into the match when Antolin Alcaraz headed the ball into his own net from a Rickie Lambert cross.

Lambert almost set up a second for Southampton later in the first half, but Steven Davies smashed his effort wide from the striker's delivery.

However, the hosts were able to extend their advantage before the break when a cross from Nathaniel Clyne cleared two defenders before dropping to Seamus Coleman, who deflected it past Tim Howard.

Everton had plenty of possession at the start of the second half as they tried to get back into the match, but created few chances.

Lambert almost had a third for the home side on the hour mark with a free kick from 25 yards out, but his powerful strike was kept out by the post.

Romelu Lukaku almost got one back for the Toffees just a couple of minutes later as he tried to head in from an Aidan McGeady cross, but he nodded it straight to Artur Boruc.

Everton continued to apply the pressure late on with a Leighton Baines cross almost catching out Boruc, before James McCarthy appealed for a penalty after tangling with Dejan Lovren.

James Ward-Prowse tried to end Everton's hope of a comeback with a drilled effort from the edge of the box at the start of stoppage time, but Howard comfortably parried it away.

Southampton seemed content to keep possession and see out the win inside the final five minutes while Everton frantically tried to win the ball back to give themselves some late hope, but they could not find a way through.

The result leaves Everton a point behind Arsenal in the race for the final Champions League place having played a game more, while Southampton remain eighth.