Ronald Koeman spoke before the game to ask for Southampton fans to respect him, however he showed little dignity in defeat that even Martin Keown on MOTD commented on.
In the run up to the game Ronald Koeman clearly knew that he would not get a warm welcome from Saints supporters.
‘I cannot change opinions and feelings of the Southampton fans - I hope they will respect me,’ Koeman said
‘We had a great time, and after my career I will look back and say I had a great time. Of course I understand the difference of opinions and reactions. I’m not afraid of that.
‘But it’s time to think about Everton. I made the choice to move and I’m happy what I’m doing."
Koeman was right, he did take Saints forward as a club, but that wasn't the issue and the statement suggested that the Dutchman knew that himself, as he stated it was he who made the choice to move and not Southampton FC who wanted him to stay and sign a new contract, something that Koeman himself declined to do saying that he was happy to work at St Mary's as he was at Feyenoord on a one year rolling contract, something that would enable him to leave fairly easily should his dream big jobs of the Dutch nationa team or Barcelona come up.
That all changes when Everton kept coming back with more offers and in fairness it took a big amount to make Koeman abandon his principles and take a job for the money and not the actual job itself.
In asking for Saints fans to show him respect, Koeman clearly felt uncomfortable about what had happened, almost apologetic and ever since that move I suspect that he has been trying to convince himself that he was doing the right thing and moving to a big club in a strong position rather than just taking the cash.
Saints fans showed him respect, in terms of vitriolic welcomes Koeman's came way down the scale of the ones that former managers like Harry Redknapp, Pochettino or Glenn Hoddle have received at St Mary's, yes there were a few abusive chants from the Northam End during the second half, but they were sporadic and in general Koeman received a mixed welcome rather than vitriolic.
But after the game Koeman could not bring himself to acknowledge Saints and in particular Josh Sims.
After being asked on television about Sims debut Koeman became very evasive saying that "Josh Sims is not my problem(sic) I am manager of Everton now he is Southampton's problem"
This was perhaps hitting at the true reason why although Saints were happy with what Koeman was doing in general, they were not happy with the way he was ignoring the up and coming players.
Indeed Koeman although loathe to mention Sims or anyone else by name was quick to defend his record of playing Saints up and coming talent.
"Maybe the question is to try something I will tell about Southampton what’s not OK.
"I think seven or eight under-21 players make his debut in the first team when I was manager. Think about that.”
This is a little distortion of the truth, yes in his first season several academy players did make appearances for the first team under Koeman, mainly in periods of injury in the squad some appearances were substantial, most were fleeting from the bench and of those youngsters who did make their debut's only Matt Targett got any real game time.
Last season in the Premier League only Matt Targett played many games (i'm discounting JWP who had played many games in the two seasons before Koeman arrived) and that was only because of injury to Ryan Bertrand.
In fact in 2015/16 apart from Targett the only other player to make a Premier League appearance was Harrison Reed who came on as a sub at Norwich for the final 10 minutes.
Now the picture is clearer as to why perhaps Koeman was not as big a fit to the Saints job as those without insider knowledge would think.
But it was Koeman's attitude to Saints that drew the wrath of Martin Keown on Match Of The Day, the former Arsenal defender stating that Koeman showed a complete lack of dignity and respect for Saints.
When questioned further Keown said that whilst Koeman might have felt it a loaded question there was no reason to be so uncharitable, a simple reply that it was nice to see Josh Sims make his debut and do well would have put the question to bed.
Sadly I think Koeman is unhappy at Everton, I think he knew from the start that he had betrayed his own principles and that up till last May he was a very honourable man who did have high morals and ethics, but they say that every man has his price and Ronald Koeman now knows that more than anyone and i think he is struggling to live with it.