Southampton suffered their first defeat of the season, as they lost 2-1 against Everton at Goodison Park.
Hughes opted to start with a 4-4-2; Jannik Vestergaard had to withdraw from the squad due to injury, Danny Ings made his full debut starting alongside Charlie Austin and James Ward-Prowse came in for Stuart Armstrong who still carried a knock from last week’s encounter against Burnley.
Just 10 minutes in, the Saints had the first chance of the game as Nathan Redmond was brought down by Idrissa Gueye. The resulting free kick, taken by Ward-Prowse was beautifully whipped into the box, and an unmarked Austin couldn’t guide the ball into the net.
Five minutes later, however, the Toffees took the lead from a training ground routine, catching the Saints backline off-guard. Leighton Baines took a free kick short to former Saint Morgan Schneiderlin, who then played Theo Walcott through, who dinked the ball over Alex McCarthy.
Then 25 minutes in, Southampton should have been level as a long shot from Cedric, was spilt by Jordan Pickford and fell at the feet of Ings for the rebound into a gaping net, but Pickford recovered superbly to deny him.
Just past the half-hour mark, Everton scored another as a Walcott cross from the right-hand side was met by Richarlison, who headed the ball down into the corner past McCarthy.
Southampton improved during the second half and pulled one back within eight minutes. A Ward-Prowse corner was flicked on by Mario Lemina and Ings found himself in the right position to tap the ball into the net.
Mark Hughes claimed after the game that Pickford should have seen red for his challenge on Ings. The ball was played over the top and Ings and Pickford were both going to the ball, Pickford got there first, but the follow-through caught Ings in the back, tearing his shirt apart and injuring the Englishman.
Southampton welcome Leicester City to St Mary’s in their next Premier League outing.
