Southampton 1 Everton 0 WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Ronald Koeman’s return to Southampton ends in tears thanks to first minute Charlie Austin strike

RONALD KOEMAN'S return to Southampton for the first time since joining Everton was an unhappy one thanks to Charlie Austin's first minute header.

The goal after just 43 seconds owed a lot to 19-year-old debutant Josh Sims, who played a big role.

The ball was swung in to the box and falls for the young winger, who lifts the ball on to the head of Charlie Austin to nod home from point-blank range for his ninth of the season.

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Claude Puel's side were on top for most of the first half as the Toffees, on a poor run of form, struggled to influence the game - although Idrissa Gueye did blaze over from inside the box.

In the second half the Saints should have been 2-0 were it not for a magnificent save by Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg - on loan at St Mary's last season - who dived full length to keep Austin's header out.

Everton had few chances, Yannick Bolasie driving a fierce strike wide - before James Ward-Prowse should have put the game beyond doubt when Austin squared - but he did not get enough purchase.

Ward-Prowse was again denied brilliantly by Stekelenberg, but it did not matter as Saints held on to move up to 10th - while Everton stay in seventh place in the Premier League.

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FACTS, STATS, GOALS & LOLS

• Josh Sims, a 19 year-old winger, was handed his senior debut for Saints. He produced a storming performance, setting up the opener atfer just 41 seconds. The joke immediately was expect to see him sign for Liverpool in a couple of years time.
• Sims loves playing against the Dutch; he scored against Holland on his debuts for England U17's and U18's - and he scored against Dutchman Ronald Koeman today against Dutchman Maarten Stekelenberg.

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• Saints manager Claude Puel had urged supporters not to boo Ronald Koeman on his first visit back to St.Mary's following his controversial defection to Goodison Park in the summer. They didn't boo him....they chanted abuse from the kick-off.
• The honeymoon is over for Koeman. After a bright start the Toffees have only one win in seven matches.

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• Saints love scoring early against Everton. Charlie Austin's opener was their fastest goal in the Premier League since April 2014 when they scored against the Toffees in the 54th second.
• Everton did not have a single shot on target in the first-half with Romelu Lukaku left isolated.
• Koeman clearly didn't like what he had seen in the first half - he sent his players out early ahead of the second-half.

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• Romelu Lukaku has now failed to score in 14 of his last 18 top-flight appearances away from home.
• But for Maarten Stekelenburg, who kept nine clean sheets on loan at Southampton last season, the score-line could have been much higher. He parried away another header from Austin in the 57th minute and denied James Ward-Prowse late on.
• Ross Barkley had another game in which he was largely ineffectual - and was replaced after 73 minutes.

THE BIG PICTURE

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SOCIAL SAYS

WHAT THEY SAID

Debutant Josh Sims: "I just turned and hit it, luckily Charlie was there to score, I’m delighted for me and the team.

"I found out just before kick-off, as soon as I saw I was starting the lads gave me tips to tell me to do what I do best.

"It was a mix of nervousness and excitement – but it’s better to be nervous because I was concentrating more. I’m really happy.

"It’s everything you wish for on debut as a kid, I came through the academy so playing in front of the fans is a dream."

Southampton boss Claude Puel: "It’s a fantastic game for Josh, he played with a total freedom, he had a very good game and its interesting for his first Premier League game and we shall see for the future.

"It is interesting to find answers with all these injuries particularly with all these games to play, it is important to develop young players.