The wait is finally over for Southampton. It had been 23 games – a run that stretched back to March 2023 – since they last tasted victory in the Premier League and Russell Martin must have been wondering how much longer Dragan Solak’s patience would last.

Southampton’s Serbian owner made a rare appearance here and had watched his team once again flatter to deceive until the game’s decisive moment arrived five minutes from full-time. Everton substitute Beto had seen his header cannon off the crossbar before Southampton broke downfield and Adam Armstrong swept in Yuki Suguwara’s cross to send the home supporters into raptures.