Southampton avenged two heartbreaking losses against Leicester City and Manchester City by taking down Stoke 3-2 in a hard-fought League Cup victory before smothering Everton this weekend for their most impressive win of the season since they last beat the Toffees in the League Cup.
Russell Martin has been feeling the heat with the Saints battling in the relegation spots again upon their return to the Premier League, and this clean sheet victory over Everton feels like a massive gorilla off their back; it’s literally their first win of the 2024/25 league campaign.
The Saints, whose only other point this season was a tie against another newly-promoted side in Ipswich Town, won the game in the 85th courtesy of a goal from veteran forward Adam Armstrong.
Southampton will be riding high after the win, but there was some concern that veteran midfielder Adam Lallana, one of the club’s most important players and a talismanic figure, would potentially miss some time with injury after coming off for Joe Aribo in the 46th minute.
However, Southampton manager Russell Martin told reporters after the game that Lallana is fine:
“Nothing serious but he just felt his groin a little bit so we’ll assess that. He’s been massive for us with the way he takes the ball and is so brave. He’s a beautiful footballer to watch and he gave some brilliant moments today.”
Lallana only played one half for the Saints in this massive victory, but he was useful with a couple of fouls drawn and a dribble completed while completing a crisp 89 percent of his passes. He added a tackle won for good measure.
The silky-smooth dribbler is the most technically gifted player on Southampton and a real spark whenever he plays, whether it’s off the bench or in the starting lineup.
Lallana is slowing down at 36, so he’s only started three games compared to three off the bench in the Premier League. But he’s had two assists in that span. He’s been dynamite in the League Cup with 2.5 key passes and 1.3 dribbles completed per game without a single unsuccessful dribble.
It’s great to hear Martin give a largely reassuring update on the status of Lallana’s groin injury. Southampton can count on him being available next weekend as an option in another tough Premier League battle vs. Wolves.
