Good morning! The new Premier League season is well underway and the second gameweek has already begun with a rare Friday night fixture seeing Manchester United maintain their winning start at the expense of Aston Villa last night. Saturday's action starts at St Mary's, where Southampton and Everton go head to head in the early kickoff having both recorded 2-2 draws on the opening weekend. First things first, let's have a look at the team news...

TEAM NEWS: The headline news from the home camp is that Shane Long, scorer of the equalising goal against Newcastle last time out, has earned himself a start this time around in place of Jay Rodriguez, who himself made his return to action at St James' Park after 16 months out. That is Southampton's only change, and Everton make just the one too as Arouna Kone, who also scored an equaliser on the opening weekend, replaces Mirallas in the starting XI. Full team news for both sides on the way...

SOUTHAMPTON STARTING XI: Stekelenburg; Cedric, Yoshida, Fonte, Targett; S Davis, Wanyama, Tadic; Mane, Long, Pellè

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS: Gazzaniga, Rodriguez, Romeu, Martina, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Juanmi

EVERTON STARTING XI: Howard; Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway; Barry, Cleverley, McCarthy, Barkley; Kone, Lukaku

EVERTON SUBS: Robles, Mirallas, Naismith, Besic, Deulofeu, Osman, Browning

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well for Southampton there are no real surprises as Long is the only change. The forward has earned his place in the starting lineup with his goal last time out, and he will be desperate to take his chance now. There is a fair amount of competition for places up top at Southampton, particularly with the return of Rodriguez, and Long has not always been a regular starter, so this is a very good opportunity for him. Rodriguez, on the other hand, will be disappointed to only make the bench having come through his return from injury unscathed.

Despite Long's inclusion, the focal point of the Southampton attack will continue to be Graziano Pelle. The Italian started his Southampton career brilliantly this time last year before tailing off somewhat in the middle of the season. However, having ended a 14-match drought he has now netted five times in his last eight Premier League games, while 11 of his 13 league goals in England have come here at St Mary's. Having already opened his account for the season, he will be keen to build on that in the early stages of the campaign.

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The loss of Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield was a big blow for Southampton this summer, and the man intended to replace him - Jordy Clasie - remains sidelined for the next couple of weeks. That means that Davis joins Wanyama and Tadic in the midfield, with the latter expected to whip a number of crosses into the box towards the head of Pelle today. Mane will also be a threat from the wide positions, although he will be hoping that his finishing is better than it was on Sunday, when he missed a couple of good late chances to seal the points.

Southampton have a lengthy injury list already this season, and among them is goalkeeper Fraser Forster. Stekelenburg retains his place between the sticks as a result, while club captain Jose Fonte, who has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, also continues in the heart of the defence. Cedric has the task of replacing Nathaniel Clyne on the right side and, although that is no easy task, he made a promising start against Newcastle with a decent performance.

As for Everton, the big news for them is that Arouna Kone is handed a start in place of Kevin Mirallas, who picked up a slight ankle knock against Watford and is only deemed fit enough for the bench. Much like Long, Kone came off the bench to score the equaliser on the opening weekend and as such has been rewarded with a starting role. It is safe to say that his Everton career is yet to really kick off, but with a goal and an assist already under his belt he will be pleased with his start to this campaign.

Alongside Kone up top will be Romelu Lukaku, a player who arrived at Goodison Park for a big fee but has failed to really hit top form yet. There is no doubt that, when on form, he can be nigh-on unplayable, but the Belgian has just four goals in his last 23 Premier League appearances and the Toffees need a better return than that if they are to regain their place amongst the challengers for European football this season.

They will also probably need a big season for Ross Barkley, who was in and out of the starting XI last season. He grabbed a very good goal on the opening day of the campaign and Everton fans will be desperate to see him return to the sort of form that got so many tongues wagging in 2013-14. Behind him is a trio of Barry, Cleverley and McCarthy, all of whom will look to provide a solid base for those in front of them to build off.

Defensively they have been weakened by the loss of Leighton Baines to injury for the next few months, meaning that Galloway is likely to get an extended run in the side. In the middle of the back four they also look a little light after both Distin and Alcaraz left the club this summer, and with the future of John Stones still uncertain, that will be a real area of concern for the Toffees. Stones has established himself as one of the brightest young prospects in the country, and losing him to Chelsea would be a major blow for Martinez.

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For Southampton, the target this season will be to replicate, and if possible improve on, their success from the last campaign. It is hard to imagine that some were tipping them for relegation at this point last season following a summer of upheaval in which they lost a number of key players as well as their manager. Ronald Koeman has done a very good job at St Mary's, however, and they go into the 2015-16 campaign expected to push for Europe.

They ended last season seventh in the table, just two points off Liverpool in the end. They were 10 points off a top-four place, but it shouldn't be forgotten that they were right in amongst the Champions League places for much of the campaign. A lot of their success was built on a sturdy defence, with only champions Chelsea conceding fewer goals than the Saints throughout the course of the season.

Koeman will be glad to return to St Mary's for the first home game of the new season as his side were very impressive in front of their own fans in 2014-15. Only the top four had a better home record than the Saints, who lost just four times and picked up 37 points here. They also conceded just 13 goals - only Chelsea had fewer at home - while their tally of 37 goals for was more than the champions managed. Indeed, only the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal scored more on their own patch.

Despite all of their success last season, they didn't end the campaign too well. They go into today's match having only managed one win in their last seven Premier League outings, with four of those ending in defeat. The solitary victory was a substantial one as they thrashed Aston Villa 6-1 in what was their last home league game, but in general is was an underwhelming end to an otherwise successful term for the Saints.

As previously mentioned, though, their home form was very good and, even when their general form faltered, they more often than not kept picking up points on their own patch. They are unbeaten in their last five home league games, with four of those ending in victories. The six against Villa also means that they now have 12 in their last four in front of their own fans, where they have not been beaten in the league since February 22, when Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners.

Their 2-2 draw against Newcastle on the opening weekend was neither a disastrous nor particularly encouraging start, although it should be noted that they had the chances to win the match late on. Mane missed a couple of decent opportunities to steal all three points after Long had already headed them level. Pelle opened the scoring for the Saints, but goals from Cisse and Wijnaldum saw the Magpies turn things around.

Everton also kicked things off with a 2-2 draw but, while Southampton fans won't be too discouraged by their result, Everton's was slightly different. It is always difficult to face newly promoted sides on the opening day of the season, but the Toffees would still have been expecting all three points at home to Watford. Instead, they were forced to come from behind twice, with Kone rescuing the point just four minutes from time.

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The result and performance did nothing to alleviate the growing concerns on the blue half of Merseyside. They have had a low-key transfer window to put it kindly, with Holgate and Deulofeu the only new signings, although even the latter is making a return to Goodison Park. Cleverley has also joined on a permanent basis, but in general the Everton that starts this season is very similar to the Everton that disappointed in the 2014-15 campaign.

Things could get even worse for the Toffees before the deadline on September 1 too. Chelsea seem intent on getting John Stones, and should Everton receive an offer that is too good to turn down then they will not only lose a bright young centre-back, but also find themselves even lighter in that department. Holgate's arrival should bulk up that area of the field a little, but it would still be a major blow if they were to lose Stones this summer.

Indeed, the window has not been a good one for Everton in terms of the activity of other teams too. The Toffees will have ambitions of pushing for European football again this term, but the likes of Swansea, Stoke, Crystal Palace and today's opponents Southampton will all fancy their chances too. Stoke and Palace in particular have really strengthened well this summer, and if Everton aren't careful then they could find themselves falling away from that middle pack.

Of course, it is dangerous to draw an conclusions so early in the season, but Martinez was starting to feel the wrath of the fans a little last season, and the fixture computer has not been kind to his hopes of making a bright start this time around. Watford at home on the opening day was about as good as they could have hoped for, but their next eight matches see them take on Man City, Tottenham, Chelsea, Swansea, West Brom, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal. Including today's opponents, that means they face eight of last season's top 10 in their next nine games, with the only exception a tricky trip to The Hawthorns.

If they are to improve on last season's 11th-placed finish then their away form will be a good place to start. They only won five of their 19 away fixtures last term, while only five teams conceded more goals on their travels. Indeed, they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League away games, although they did end the campaign with victory at West Ham. That means that another win today would give them consecutive league wins on the road for the first time since March-April 2014.

The gap between these two sides last term was 13 points, and Everton should use today as an early acid test of where their European credentials lie right now. They were a whopping 23 points adrift of the Champions League places in 2014-15 which, considering they pushed Arsenal all the way for a top-four place the season before that, is a major slump for Roberto Martinez's side.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at St Mary's, which means that it is time for a prediction! Both sides have similar ambitions this season, but Southampton look a lot closer to achieving those at the moment, it must be said. For Everton, they have a horrid run of fixtures coming up and points on the board are desperately needed, but I can't see them winning this one. I'm going to go for a 2-1 home victory.

In a rare occurrence, we were in a agreement with that prediction on the Sports Mole sofa this week. Have a look what we had to say in our video preview of this match below:

Everton have not had the best of times at St Mary's in recent years, it must be said. They were beaten 3-0 here in the corresponding fixture last term, with Lukaku opening the scoring with an own goal - Everton's third in their last two visits. They are without a win in their last six trips to face Southampton, and have failed to even score in their last three.

I haven't given Everton fans much cause for optimism so far, so here is some: The Toffees did win the most recent meeting between these two sides, with Phil Jagielka getting the only goal of the game at Goodison Park in April. Another three points this afternoon would be a huge boost for Martinez early in the season.

Everton, though, have not won at Southampton since April 2002, so they will need to end a 13-year wait if they are to claim what would be something of a surprise victory. Anyway, the players are out on the pitch and we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff now.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! We're underway at St Mary's, with Everton sporting a quite frankly horrendous green away kit.

An early scare for Everton as Targett whips a cross in towards Pelle, who cushions his header into the path of Long. The former Hull man looks like getting there, but Stones steps in to make a vital interception.

It is Southampton who has started the brighter here, and there is already a concern on Everton's right with Kone's tracking. Targett is getting forward whenever possible, and it will be interesting to see whether Kone is disciplined enough to follow him back.

Half a chance for the hosts as they catch Everton out with a quick throw down the right. The cross is hoisted into the box again towards Pelle, but the Italian can't connect with his volley well enough and the danger passes.

YELLOW CARD! Brilliant from Lukaku as he picks up the ball on the halfway line before turning and powering forward on the counter. He is only stopped by a sliding challenge by Targett which was right on the edge of the box, but Michael Oliver is right to award a free kick rather than a penalty. A yellow card also follows for Targett.

The resulting free kick comes to nothing as Barkley's effort hits the wall and goes behind for a corner, which is dealt with by the hosts.

This has been better from Everton in the last five minutes or so. They were a little slow to get going but are now very much in this game.

Half a chance for the Saints as a combination of Long and Coleman poke the ball down the left channel for Mane, who races onto it but finds himself with an impossible angle. He manages to get something on it, but the opportunity passes without danger for Everton.

CHANCE! Another decent opening for the hosts, but Jagielka makes a fine block to deny Tadic. Southampton seemed to want the ball more in a couple of 50-50 challenges, and Davis eventually floats a cross to Pelle at the back post. He nods it down to Tadic, but his volley is stopped by the Everton defender.

CHANCE! Pelle is really causing problems for Everton now, but he really should do better here. Tadic ducks inside Galloway before whipping a fine cross into the box, and Pelle has found a yard of space between two Everton defenders. He is backtracking but it is still a very good chance, and the Italian should at least hit the target. He doesn't get enough on his header, however, and can only glance it wide.

SAVE! The hosts are starting to build the pressure on Everton now and Howard is called into his first save of the day. It is a routine one for the American, though, with Targett's powerful long-range effort straight at the keeper.

Better from Everton as they keep hold of the ball for a sustained period inside the Southampton half - the first time that has really happened this afternoon. Still no chances for the visitors, though.

CHANCE! Big chance for Southampton! Everton give the ball away inside their own half and Southampton immediately pounce, with the ball being fed to Mane down the left channel. He only has Howard to beat, but his powerful low drive is well saved by Howard.

Out of nothing, Everton take the lead with a classic counter-attacking goal! It came from a Southampton corner, with the visitors breaking quickly up the right flank. Kone raced on to a through-ball before lifting a fine cross to the back post for Lukaku, who sent his header in off the crossbar. Very good cross, and not a bad finish either. First blood to the Toffees!

That goal came around 40 seconds after Howard had denied Mane at the other end. Southampton will need to pick themselves up now as they have been the better team so far, only to be undone with Everton's first real sight of goal.

SAVE! Everton smell blood here and they go in search of a second in quick succession. McCarthy shows good tenacity and strength to shrug off a challenge from Yoshida on his way to the touchline, but his attempted cross/shot is beaten away at the near post by Stekelenburg.

That goal has really given Everton a boost here. They suddenly look a lot more comfortable on the ball and are controlling the tempo of the match right now. Southampton can't get into this one at the moment.

CHANCES! Everton have two huge chances in a matter of seconds to double their lead! It was great work from Lukaku again as he turns his man before sliding a pass into the area that finds Barkley running onto it unmarked. The midfielder really should do better as he side-foots an effort straight at the keeper from inside the box, while Cleverley can only put the rebound wide. Both really should have scored there.

Will Everton live to rue those misses? They are very much on top right now but will be eager to make the most of this spell. You can be sure that Southampton will work their way back into the match eventually, but right now they can't get any sort of momentum going.

Better from the hosts as they calm things down and keep the ball, regaining a foothold in the game. They have not threatened at all since Everton's opening goal.

CHANCE! Good chance for the hosts from a corner as Wanyama finds himself unmarked inside the area. He rises unchallenged and gets a full head to it, but puts his effort too high. He should have done better there.

Painful one for Stones as he lands heavily from an aerial challenge. Fortunately for Everton he only appears to be winded rather than anything serious, but it was certainly an awkward landing for the youngster.

YELLOW CARD! The second card of the game goes the way of Pelle, who just dragged Coleman back as the full-back burst past him. There wasn't much in it, but those cynical challenges will always draw a caution.

Mane is making some bright runs down the left channel, but he messes this one up, completely mis-controlling the ball in a good position. That gives Stones the chance to come across, and he strong-arms the Southampton attacker off the ball.

Poor from Davis as he wastes a good attacking platform by giving the ball straight to Coleman when looking for Targett down the left flank. He immediately tried to win the ball back, but it spins out for a goal kick and Everton get the ball back.

Pelle caused problems with his movement earlier in this half, but he is getting no change from Stones and Jagielka now. This time he tries to get a volley on a Tadic cross, but is just levered out the way and can only get a stud to the ball.

Everton double their lead right on the stroke of half time, and it is Lukaku once again! The Belgian starts the move inside his own half and immediately bursts forward looking to get in support. Barkley carries the ball towards the edge of the box before slipping the pass back to Lukaku, who sweeps it home into the bottom corner. More brilliant play from the striker, who really looks to be up for this one today.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

YELLOW CARD! Barkley picks up a card right on the stroke of half time for a mistimed sliding challenge on Mane.

Michael Oliver brings an end to the first half, and the opening 45 minutes very much belonged to Everton. They go into the break with a 2-0 lead away to Southampton, and the hosts now have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid defeat in their first home league game of the season. In truth, they haven't shown many signs of being able to haul themselves back into this one in the second half.

Lukaku has been the standout player of that opening 45 minutes, grabbing both goals for the Toffees and showing signs of being back to his best. The opener was a vintage counter-attacking goal that saw Everton break from a Southampton corner down the right flank. It was Kone who supplied the cross, lifting the ball to the back post where Lukaku sent a clever header in off the crossbar, despite the ball being slightly behind him.

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The second came from another counter, with Lukaku both starting and finishing the move. He lent the ball to Barkley before busting a gut to get up in support of the midfielder. Barkley recognised that run and slid the pass in to the Belgian, who swept the ball into the bottom corner.

Things could have been a lot different at this stage of the match but for a Tim Howard save less than a minute before the opening goal. The Everton keeper denied Mane from a tight angle with a good low stop, and from the resulting corner Everton broke and got the first goal. That header changed the course of the match, with Everton dominating from that point on.

Indeed, it could have been even better for the visitors had either Barkley or Cleverley snapped up chances shortly before the half-hour mark. It was Barkley who squandered the initial opening with a tame finish having been found by Lukaku inside the box, while Cleverley could only fire the rebound wide when he probably should have done better.

Southampton had actually been on top in the game before Everton's opener, with Pelle causing problems and both Mane and Tadic being denied in good positions. The first goal just seemed to knock the stuffing out of the hosts, though, and they have really struggled to get back into the game after falling behind. Having said that, Wanyama did squander a clear header from a corner with the score at 1-0 to the Toffees, so Southampton have certainly had the chances to get themselves back into this one.

KICKOFF: Southampton get us back underway for the second half, and there is news of a change for the hosts. Oriol Romeu, signed from Chelsea this week, comes on for his debut, with Tadic making way at the break.

Good start to the second half from Southampton as they earn an early corner. Three Southampton players attack the ball but it is Wanyama again who gets his head to it, nodding his effort wide of the target.

Whatever Koeman said at half time, it seems to have worked. Some clever flicks in and around the box almost open up a chance for Pelle, but he is quickly closed down and the shot is blocked.

YELLOW CARD! Romeu is quick to make his mark! He dives in to a rather nasty challenge on Barkley and is correctly shown a yellow card by Michael Oliver.

Everton have not been able to get going at all in this second half so far. The priority for them now is just to weather this storm and not give Southampton any further encouragement by conceding a goal. This is a crucial period of the match.

CHANCE! Big chance for Southampton, but Pelle's shot goes straight at Howard! Mane's cross was initially too high for the Italian striker, but a defensive error sees the ball bounce back to him. He unleashes a sweetly struck volley and, in fairness, can't do much more than he does do, but Howard is well-placed to make the stop.

The visitors are on the back foot right now and have been since the start of this second half. They are holding firm as things stand, however, limiting the Saints to just that Pelle chance since the break so far.

A sign of Southampton's dominance at the moment is that Lukaku, who terrorised the defence at times in the opening 45 minutes, is yet to touch the ball in this second half. Everton remain in control in terms of the scoreline, but they need to get the Belgian a little more involved again.

Galloway races forward before being stopped in his tracks by Romeu, who needs to be careful having already been booked. It isn't worthy of a second yellow, but it was a needless risk from the debutant.

Strong play from Pelle in the area as he holds Stones off to take the ball down and spin. He can't quite get the shot away, however, and the ball spins to safety for the visitors.

Painful one for Cedric as he goes up for an aerial challenge with Barry, who wins it but catches the Southampton full-back with an arm. It was a physical challenge for sure, and Cedric certainly felt it, but there didn't appear to be any malice involved.

Everton look content to settle for this right now, and you can't blame them. There is no need for risks from the visitors' point of view, and they certainly aren't taking any. Lukaku is looking a little isolated, it must be said, but their priority is on defence now.

Everton make a rare break forward and Lukaku gets an even rarer touch in this second half, racing on to a lofted through-ball down the right. He feeds his pass into the middle, but it is right in between both Kone and Barkley.

Beautiful from Pelle! He holds of his man before back-heeling the ball into the path of Mane, but the forward can't make the most of it.

CHANCE! Another chance from a corner for Southampton, and this time it falls to Pelle - the man they'd want. The Italian rises well and again is relatively unchallenged, but he nods it off target.

Good spell from Everton now as they get the ball in the Southampton half for a sustained period of time for the first time this half. They keep the pressure on with a couple of corners, but can't get the killer third goal.

A sign of frustration from Fonte as he reacts angrily to a rather innocuous scuffle with Lukaku. He runs towards the Belgian after conceding a corner and barges into him, but Oliver calms things down with a few words of warning.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: Long was given his chance from the start today, but he hasn't taken it. He makes way to be replaced by Jay Rodriguez.

Just under 15 minutes remaining here, and there aren't many signs of Southampton launching a dramatic late comeback. Four goals conceded in two games, having boasted such an impressive defensive record last term, will not please this man. Nor will today's performance in general.

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YELLOW CARD! McCarthy becomes the second Everton man in the book for a foul on Pelle, who used his body well to draw the challenge on the halfway line.

YELLOW CARD! He is quickly followed into the book by Davis, who barges into an airborne McCarthy from behind. That was pure frustration, and he can have no complaints at being cautioned.

SAVE! It could take something special to get Southampton back into this one, and Mane almost provides it here. He unleashes a powerful, dipping effort towards the top corner that Howard has to turn around the post with a diving save.

SOUTHAMPTON SUB: A third and final change for the hosts as James Ward-Prowse replaces Davis in midfield.

EVERTON SUB: Everton also make a chance with 10 minutes to go, and it is Kone who makes way to be replaced by Steven Naismith.

Wanyama isn't famed for his goalscoring ability, and his finishing has been off today. This time he earns a yard of space on the edge of the box, only to blast his effort well over the crossbar.

Just seven minutes left for Everton to hold out, and they have the ball up at the right end of the field as far as they are concerned.

Well, well, well, what a turn up this is! Everton take a three-goal lead at Southampton, and it is a really good finish from Barkley, who makes it two in two this season - already matching his tally from last term. The ball was worked across to the young midfielder inside the box, and he took one touch to take him inside before bending his effort into the far corner. Game well and truly over.

EVERTON SUB: Everton also make a chance with 10 minutes to go, and it is Kone who makes way to be replaced by Steven Naismith.

The visitors are starting to enjoy themselves now! Another break sees Lukaku take the ball beautifully on the turn before finding Barkley, who in turn slid it to Naismith. The Scot advances into the area, but two Southampton defenders come sliding in to dispossess him.

EVERTON SUBS: A late double change for the visitors as Tyias Browning comes on for Galloway, while the impressive Lukaku makes way for the return of Gerard Deulofeu.

There will be four minutes of added time before Southampton are put out of their misery here.

What a result this is for Everton. There was plenty of gloom surrounding the club following their underwhelming summer in the transfer window, but this will give them lots of confidence going into a very tough run of fixtures.

Job done for Everton as they recorded a very impressive 3-0 victory away to Southampton, who are still looking for their first victory of the season. It is safe to say that not many people would have been expecting this result, but Everton certainly deserve it and this will give them plenty of confidence that they can push on and return to the European race this season.

The main damage was done in the opening 45 minutes, with Lukaku the chief tormentor with both goals before the break. The first was a well-taken header on the counter-attack following a Kone cross, while he doubled his personal tally right on the stroke of half time by sweeping the ball into the bottom corner. Ross Barkley added the third late on for the visitors with a curled finish into the far corner that well and truly capped off a fine team performance.

That's all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for a remarkable match at St Mary's as Everton stun Southampton with a 3-0 victory - their first triumph away to the Saints for more than 13 years. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. There is plenty more football on offer with the 3pm games 15 minutes away from kickoff, and you can follow live coverage of every Premier League game with us. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!