Everton’s unbeaten start to the season ended with a defeat at Southampton.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side fell behind on 27 minutes through James Ward-Prowse’s well-taken opener before Che Adams’ deflected effort doubled the hosts’ lead.

A miserable afternoon was compounded by a sending off for Lucas Digne later in the second half after his robust challenge on Kyle Walker-Peters.

The Blues remain Premier League leaders but are now only separated from second-placed Liverpool by goal difference following their 2-0 reversal.

Here were the key talking points from St Mary’s Stadium:

Fringe players fail to impress

 

It was always going to be tougher for Everton without Coleman and Richarlison, two of their most impressive performers so far this term.

But in their absence, their deputies failed to make much of a case for an extended run in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting XI.

With Coleman and Jonjoe Kenny both injured, Ben Godfrey again deputised at right-back, as he did in place of Coleman at last weekend’s Merseyside derby.

But playing out of position, he struggled to cope with Nathan Redmond, and failed to stop Danny Ings’ cross to Che Adams for Southampton’s second.

Alex Iwobi, who has rarely looked most effective out wide, toiled in the left-wing role usually occupied by Richarlison before being withdrawn at half-time.

And while Bernard offered a slight improvement from the bench in the second half, it was nothing close to the impressions offered by the absent Brazilian.

It also came as no surprise that Dominic Calvert-Lewin failed to score in his first Premier League game this season without Richarlison complimenting him.

Young stars have chance to shine

 

Lucas Digne’s sending-off for a poor challenge seemed a little harsh but where one door has closed for an Everton player, it could open for others.

Unless the Blues’ appeal succeeds, Digne isset to miss the next three matches, which should present Niels Nkounkou with a Premier League debut.

The 19-year-old made a strong impression in last month’s Carabao Cup ties and was as fearless venturing forward as he was solid in his defensive work.

How such a talent will cope with top-flight football will be at least exciting.

The same applies to Anthony Gordon, who was instantly brighter than Iwobi had been for Everton at St Mary’s when he appeared from the bench.

Gordon has impressed not only in those EFL Cup clashes but in Premier League cameos since making his full first team debut in late June.

With Iwobi and Bernard not looking the best fits in Richarlison’s favoured position, the teenager seems the most logical replacement at left-wing.

It might be time Ancelotti started putting round pegs in round holes.

Break killed Blues’ momentum

 

Everton went into the recent international break on top of the league as well as the world, but that halt to league action seems to have derailed them.

Allan notably struggled against Southampton and the midfield enforcer still doesn’t seem to have returned to full fitness after his recent groin injury.

Nor did the talismanic James Rodriguez, who had barely trained this week after picking up an early knock during the 2-2 draw with Liverpool.

Before the break, Everton resembled a well-oiled machine; able to go from back to front in an instant with every member of the squad aware of their respective role.

But through a mixture of fatigue, injuries and suspensions, the Blues looked disjointed for much of their recent top flight encounters over the past week.

It’s taken six weeks but Ancelotti now looks to have his first headache of the new season.

Positives underlines leaders’ progress

 

A dismal day on the South Coast has made it more important than ever this season for Evertonians to retain a sense of perspective.

Ancelotti’s inherited squad ended last term in 12th having endured one of their most dismal campaigns in recent memory with a worst finish since 2004.

To go from there to topping the early league table with 14 goals in six games is a reflection of the enormous progress made so quickly under the Italan.

Defeats like this were so frequent that they were not going to disappear entirely, and in some ways, this performance may serve as much of a reality check as anything else – but Everton at least remain top of the table.

With winnable games against Newcastle, Manchester United and Fulham on the horizon, all is far from lost for Ancelotti’s side despite this disappointment.