SOUTHAMPTON: Charlie Austin scored after only 41 seconds to give Southampton a 1-0 victory over Everton on Sunday on a miserable return for former manager Ronald Koeman.

Southampton comfortably outplayed Everton, which has won only one of its last eight Premier League games in Koeman's first season in charge.

From kick-off, the hosts created space for Cedric Soares to cross on the right wing. When Everton struggled to clear, winger Josh Sims opened his debut by teeing the ball up for Austin and the striker calmly headed into the back of the net from directly in front of goal.

"As a kid I came through the academy at Southampton so playing in front of all the fans and them singing my name was a dream. It's everything you wish for," the 19-year-old Sims said after his man-of-the-match performance.

"It was a mixture of nervousness and excitement but I was really excited. I knew I was in the squad, but as soon as I found out I was starting I got tips from the lads and they told me to do what I do best."

Southampton climbed to 10th place — two points behind Everton — as it recovered from losing at Sparta Prague in the Europa League on Thursday.