Saints adopt an upbeat outlook

Southampton 2 Everton

STEPHEN BRENKLEY

Southampton 2 Everton 2

The way that Southampton tell it their glass is half-full. They have been beaten only twice in 11 League matches, usually make life difficult for opponents and Matthew Le Tissier is at last beginning to make a convincing case that form is temporary and class is permanent, not the other way round.

But before them lies the same glass half-empty. This shows that they have won only twice in 11 matches, have drawn four times at home, continue to have moments of costly ineptitude and that Le Tissier has scored only once since August.

It was an effervescent second half of changing fortune against Everton and maybe it was natural that it should be followed by Southampton's positive approach to lurking danger.

First came Gordon Watson, chipper about both result and his third goal of the season. "It was a point gained in the end," he said. "We've got five out of the last nine and the main thing is we haven't lost."

His manager, Dave Merrington was still more upbeat. Delighted with Le Tissier's contribution ("he's beginning to enjoy it again") he spoke of his admiration for his side. They were, he emphasised, six places off the bottom. However, this is also only three above a relegation place.

Everton by contrast have achieved that happy, stress-free state of mid- table security, the first time for four seasons, as Royle said, that they have not been looking over their shoulders.

Following a stultifyingly inadequate first half, Southampton scored 15 seconds after the interval, Le Tissier assisting. Proceedings brightened, never again to darken. Everton scored twice in four minutes through Graham Stuart, following up, and more thrillingly through Barry Horne's first League goal for two seasons. Jim Magilton's equaliser came from an unfamiliarly fierce volley. That people checked to make sure it was not Le Tissier was a compliment. Goals: Watson (46) 1-0; Stuart (53) 1-1; Horne (56) 1-2; Magilton (78) 2-2. Southampton (4-4-2): Beasant; Dodd, Hall, Monkou, Charlton; Le Tissier, Magilton, Venison, Walters (Oakley, 83); Watson, Shipperley. Substitutes not used: Maddison, Grobbelaar (gk). Everton (4-4-2): Southall; Jackson, Watson, Short, Hinchcliffe; Kanchelskis, Horne, Parkinson, Limpar (Rideout, 70); Stuart, Ferguson. Substitutes not used: Allen, Kearton (gk). Referee: D Elleray (Harrow). Bookings: Everton: Limpar. Man of the match: Kanchelskis. Attendance: 15,136.