Koeman beaten on Saints return

Ronald Koeman endured an unhappy return to St Mary’s as Southampton beat Everton 1-0 on Super Sunday.

It took just 41 seconds for Southampton to take the lead as debutant Josh Sims crossed for Charlie Austin to head home from point-blank range.

And it proved to be the only goal of the game as Southampton, who spurned a number of second-half chances, held on to end a run of four league games without a win.

Victory moves Southampton into 10th and just two points behind Everton, who have won just one of their last eight league games, in seventh.

Southampton manager Claude Puel made seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday and he handed the 19-year-old Sims his full first-team debut.

Koeman, who managed Southampton for two years, recalled Gareth Barry in place of James McCarthy but his return to St Mary’s started in the worst possible fashion.

Sims was involved for the hosts, having an early shot blocked by Ashley Williams before a cross into the box fell at his feet and he lifted the ball onto the head of Austin, who headed home from close range to score his ninth goal of the season.

Southampton – and Sims – were brimming with confidence and in the 16th minute the debutant found himself unmarked in the box, but his header was tame and straight at …

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