LONDON (Reuters) – Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino began his reign at the struggling Premier League club with an impressive 0-0 draw against fifth-placed Everton on Monday, three days after taking over from the sacked Nigel Adkins.

Southampton were much the better side in the first half as in-form striker Rickie Lambert hit the woodwork with a bending free kick and narrowly failed to score with two trademark headers.

Southampton's new Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino shouts orders during the English Premier League soccer match against Everton at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton January 21, 2013. Southampton sacked manager Nigel Adkins on Friday and replaced him with Pochettino in a surprise move that came just as their Premier League results were starting to improve. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh

Everton improved in the second half but also failed to convert chances as the home side clung on for a valuable draw.

Everton moved to 38 points, within three of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and four ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool while Southampton edged further away from the relegation zone to 23 points, four above the drop.

Former Argentina international Pochettino was controversially appointed manager despite Southampton’s improved recent form, including a 2-2 comeback draw from two goals down at European champions Chelsea on Wednesday, Adkins’s final game in charge.

(Writing by Tom Pilcher, Editing by Ed Osmond)

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