Hasenhüttl wants Everton repeat
Ralph Hasenhüttl wants Southampton to replicate their last two performances against Everton when the two sides go head to head again on Monday night.
It will be the third meeting in eight months, with Saints performing well to draw 1-1 at Goodison Park towards the end of last season, before running out 2-0 winners in October when Everton arrived at St Mary’s as Premier League leaders.
The boss was quick to point out circumstances have since changed, with Saints out of form and without a host of key players, while Everton are full of confidence after winning at Anfield for the first time since 1999.
“This was one of our best away games last season, after the lockdown,” Hasenhüttl said of his side’s last trip to Goodison.
“The first 35 minutes were the best we played last season, and this season the home game against them was also one of our better ones – very dominating.
“We are not in the best shape – that is the difference. We are not with the best team on the pitch, but we still believe in what we are doing and we must find the right tactic and the right behaviour to get something there.”
Hasenhüttl admitted it can be difficult for teams to scale the same heights immediately after such a significant victory as Everton achieved over their city rivals last time out.
“When you look on our side it can be, because our last [league] game we won was against Liverpool,” he pointed out. “Since then, no one, so if you want to take us as an example it can definitely be like that.
“It’s tough to win a Premier League game in any way, and we always speak about if you are in a good shape or not so good shape, and having more chance to win, but a Premier League game is always tight and a chance for both teams to win.
“We go there without all the history, but looking forward and enjoying what we are doing.”
