Pochettino's Saints debut ends in stalemate

Mauricio Pochettino's first match as manager of Southampton ended in a goalless draw at home to Everton at St Mary's on Monday. The result moved Southampton four points clear of the bottom three in the English Premier League and left Everton three points adrift of the top four and a place in next season's Champions League. "I just want to thank the players, they've been very good to me in the three days I have been working with them," former Argentina international Pochettino, speaking through an interpreter, told Sky Sports. "And the supporters have been very good to me. SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom (AFP) - (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino's first match as manager of Southampton ended in a goalless draw at home to Everton at St Mary's on Monday. The result moved Southampton four points clear of the bottom three in the English Premier League and left Everton three points adrift of the top four and a place in next season's Champions League. "I just want to thank the players, they've been very good to me in the three days I have been working with them," former Argentina international Pochettino, speaking through an interpreter, told Sky Sports. "And the supporters have been very good to me. His exit as manager came with Southampton, who struggled at the start of the season, in the middle of an encouraging run of results which had seen them lose just twice in their last 12 league matches. Pochettino was brought in by Southampton executive chairman Nicola Cortese despite having been sacked by Espanyol in November with the Spanish side bottom of La Liga. Saints dominated the first half but failed to score. Jason Puncheon's low shot was deflected just wide of the post, before Ramirez forced a smart save from Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard in the 13th minute. Rickie Lambert beat Howard with a 25-yard free-kick only for the ball to hit the keeper's right post and later on the striker's header was cleared off the line by Nikica Jelavic and Leighton Baines. Lambert then powered another header just wide. Everton came into the match in the second half with Marouane Fellaini twice denied by Saints keeper Artur Boruc in quick succession. Toffees substitute Victor Anichebe made his presence felt after replacing the injured Seamus Coleman just before the hour. Anichebe powered through the Saints defence and squared the ball to Jelavic only for the Croatian to miss his kick from just a few yards out. Nigeria forward Anichebe was then denied from close range by a fine one-handed save from Boruc. "I was frustrated with how we played and frustrated in the second half that we did not get the goal," said Everton manager David Moyes, the third longest serving manager in the Premier League who should celebrate 11 years in charge in March. "Southampton have played well in recent weeks and they continued that form. We got better in the second half. In the end they had the better of the first half and we probably had the better of the second. "Their team has done well and Nigel Adkins (has done) really well. "His players did well against Chelsea and they did well tonight. They are not a bad side are Southampton." From AFP