Tessem magic beats Blues

Wayne Bridge beats Nicolas Alexandersson to the ball

Southampton 1-0 Everton

Southampton's Jo Tessem produced a fine individual goal of pace and skill to extend the Saints run of clean sheets in the Premiership to seven with a 1-0 victory over Everton.

Everton battled valiantly throughout but could not cope with the constant threat of the Norwegian international - playing just behind James Beattie.

Twelve minutes into the second half Tessem advanced from the half way line, jinked past Richard Gough and David Weir and slipped the ball calmly under the advancing Paul Gerrard.

It was a good win for us against Everton and I just want to enjoy that - what happens at other clubs has nothing to do with me

  Glen Hoddle
Southampton manager

Everton were poor in the first half but with the introduction of Gascoigne in the second half produced by far their best football, only to look more vunerable on the counter attack.

Possession football

The recalled Duncan Ferguson gave Everton false hope in the opening minutes.

The Scottish striker was instrumental in a move that resulted in Thomas Gravesen firing over from 25 yards.

If that was a signal of the relegtaion threatened Merseysider's intentions, none came.

Southampton settled and dominated possession.

Dean Richards, instrumental from the back, carried the ball out of defence and fed Beattie with his back to goal.

Bridge was a constant threat

Wayne Bridge, advancing down the left to great affect, crossed across the face of goal with Marian Pahars just short of making a telling touch.

Tessem was a constant threat behind Beattie and was regularly losing his markers.

Richard Gough, David Weir and Abel Xavier, playing in front of the back four, didn't seem to know whose responsibility the Norwegain was.

With the Saints now dominating possession and Bridge a constant menace from his left back role, Gerrard was being called into action to field crosses from both flanks.

Mark Pembridge and Scot Gemmill were busy in Everton's midfield but could rarely string a move of consequence together.

A rare Everton move in the 31st minute led to Ferguson spreading play to Gravesen wide down the left. The Danish internaional produced a great cross and Gemmill got in front of his marker to head just wide.

Jones had yet to make a save of note.

The half came to an end with a sign of things to come.

We didn't put them under enough pressure or try to impose ourselves

  Walter Smith
Everton manager

Everton failed to clear a Pahars cross and the ball fell to Beattie.

The striker chose to sidefoot the volley and Gerrard produced the only significant save of the half - getting down low to his left to parry.

Better to come

Twelve minutes in to the second half Tessem produced the magic that won the game, producing a cool finish to complement his dazzling run.

Tessem then underlined his influence with another fine run down the right - this time producing a fine cross for the advancing Pahars at the far post.

The Latvian international somehow put the ball wide when it seemed easier to score.

Everton were by no means beaten but where a goal would come from was anyone's guess. A set piece seemed their best hope.

Gravesen's corner from the right met Ferguson's head, only for Jones to produce his first save of significant note.

Gascoigne entered the fray on 70 mins and his delivery from dead ball situations was at least a threat.

With Gravesen now operating down the right and Gascoigne instigating more movement ahead of him, Everton pushed for an equaliser.

But yellow cards for Bridge and Beattie told the story of a Saints side determined to continue their fine run of form.

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Southampton: Jones, Lundekvam, Richards, El Khalej, Petrescu, Bridge, Oakley, Draper, Tessem, Pahars, Beattie. Subs: Moss, Le Tissier, Rosler, Dodd, Kachloul.

Everton: Gerrard, Steve Watson, Gough, Weir, Ball, Xavier, Gravesen, Gemmill, Pembridge, Ferguson, Alexandersson. Subs: Simonsen, Pistone, Gascoigne, Unsworth, Tal.

Referee: M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City)