Everton may have lost against Southampton but on-loan Danish star Jesper Lindstrom, while down, was far from out.
For starters, the Napoli winger was delighted not to be the first player hooked by Toffees boss Sean Dyche – as has happened previously this term. Which, in turn, suggested he had delivered a decent display – despite it not being enough to prevent the visitors’ five-game unbeaten streak ending at Southampton.
Hence, his relative satisfaction as he explained if staying on the field as long as possible is the aim each weekend, securing a permanent switch to Merseyside is a long-term one. Speaking after the 1-0 defeat, he was able to take some personal positives.
Lindstrom, 24, said: “For the season I’m here, then we’ll see what happens. I have to show I’m good enough to stay.
“I’ve had more starts here than in the whole of the last year at Napoli. Of course, the more minutes is better confidence-wise for me.
(Image: Antonio Balasco/KONTROLAB)
“I’m happy I didn’t get subbed first because but my first half wasn’t good enough. In the second, I stepped up and made some good crosses and chances.”
But for Saints stopper Aaron Ramsdale, Lindstrom would have scored with a free-kick after the break. He groaned: “I told him he had long fingertips and he just smiled.”
The defeat leaves Everton slumped in 16th place in the Premier League table on nine points, just four points clear of 18th place Ipswich Town and the relegation zone. Southampton meanwhile are in 19th, on four points.