Ronald Koeman was defeated on his first return to Southampton and had to watch on as Josh Sims, a teenage debutant he deemed not good enough, outshone everyone in his Everton side and on the pitch.
Charlie Austin netted the match-winning goal — his ninth of the season — but winger Sims stole the plaudits for his performance. By the time he was substituted in the 84th minute, the Southampton crowd's early acerbic reaction to their former manager, who walked out on them in the summer lured by a £6million-per-year contract and a substantial transfer kitty, were left far behind as they gave the latest youngster to step up from the academy a standing ovation.