SOUTHAMPTON (REUTERS) - Southampton beat English Premier League leaders Everton 2-0 at St Mary's Stadium on Sunday (Oct 25) as Carlo Ancelotti's side became the final club to lose a game this season.

Southampton took the lead in the 27th minute when James Ward-Prowse played a neat one-two with Danny Ings, who provided the through ball for his fellow Englishman to fire a shot past Jordan Pickford.

"We knew it was a good challenge for us, they came here unbeaten and we didn't like that feeling. Our confidence was high," Ward-Prowse told Sky Sports.

"We were aggressive, we believe in what we are doing and we have the quality to go and score goals... This gives us a lot of confidence, we weren't really troubled."

Ings turned provider again eight minutes later when he crossed from the left flank to find Che Adams at the far post and the unmarked striker took his time to pick his spot to beat Pickford with a strike that deflected off Gylfi Sigurdsson.

"We didn't play well, Southampton were better than us and they deserved to win," Ancelotti told Sky Sports.

"Sometimes you are not at your best, it came after a really good run for us. Now we have to look forward with the same spirit and belief. We tried to get back into the game, we had some good control after half time."

Everton remain top of the standings with 13 points from six games and a healthier goal difference than city rivals Liverpool, while Southampton moved up to fifth three points back.

With about 20 minutes to go, Everton were reduced to 10 men when defender Lucas Digne was sent off for a straight red card after he fouled Kyle Walker-Peters and Ancelotti could not bring on another defender having already made three substitutions.

The Italian manager confirmed that Everton would appeal against the decision but said Pickford escaping punishment for a potential season-ending tackle on Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk may have influenced the decision to punish them.

"The red card was a joke, it was not intentional. Maybe it was a yellow, for sure it was not violent conduct," he said.

"Maybe all this talk all week against Pickford, against Richarlison (who was sent off against Liverpool), affected the decision and if so it's not right, it's not fair."

Ancelotti also fired a stark warning to his squad with tough fixtures on the horizon. "I told the players winter is coming and we will have to react," he added.

Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl said: "It was a tough win against a strong side but we had good game management... It was one of our best performances at home.

"We played through the lines, the second goal was beautiful and we really calmed the game down. I didn't see a lot of chances for Everton today."