Gazza lifts Everton

Tomasz Radzinski battles with Claus Lundekvam

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Everton 2-0 Southampton

Paul Gascoigne sparked Everton to victory over Southampton.

The former England man's half-time introduction as a substitute inspired an Everton side that claimed only their second Premiership win in seven matches.

Although Gascoigne played little material part in Everton's two goals, his presence acted as a catalyst for the Toffees.

  Key moments

18 mins: Simonsen denies first Telfer and then Lundekvam

45mins: Gascoigne and Pembridge introduced as substitutes

54 mins: Radzinski fires Everton ahead

72mins: Gravesen misses chance to wrap up points

76mins: Gravesen blocks Svensson header on line

86 mins: Pembridge scores Everton's second

It was Walter Smith's other half-time substitute, Mark Pembridge, who made the bigger contribution.

He broke up a Southampton attack deep in his own half on 49 minutes and cleared the ball downfield.

Steve Watson astutely touched the ball into of Tomasz Radzinski.

As the Canadian cut in from the left touchline Paul Williams failed to close him down and he was allowed to go on and tuck his shot past the advancing Paul Jones.

Pembridge sealed the points on 86 minutes, timing his run to perfection to connect with Thomas Gravesen's cross.

Gazza is happy to be back in action

But Gascoigne had the crowd on its feet with one trademark run as he thrust at the heart of the Southampton defence.

Everton wasted chances to wrap up the points earlier than they did.

On 70 minutes Radzinski and Gemmill opened up the Southampton defence for Gravesen.

The Dane opted for subtlety instead of power in clipping the ball over the advancing Jones but that allowed Wayne Bridge to race back and head the ball off the line.

As Southampton pushed for an equaliser, Gravesen was again clear of an under-manned defence three minutes later, only to slice his shot wide.

But he made amends for his wastefulness in front of goal on 76 minutes by blocking Anders Svensson's header on the goal-line.

I have to fight for my place and I might not be playing next week. But I don't mind

Paul Gascoigne

Everton's second-half performance earned them the points.

But the result was tough on Southampton, who failed to haul themselves out of the bottom three.

They were certainly the better side in the first-half, where Matthew Oakley and Anders Svensson got a grip in midfield.

But Southampton's attractive approach play was spoiled by a poor end product.

Alan Stubbs and David Weir dealt competently and confidently with the aerial threat posed by James Beattie.

We were the better team in the first-half but when Everton sent out their hungry team we were found out

Gordon Strachan

Everton goalkeeper Steve Simonsen kept his side alive on 18 minutes with two good reaction saves in less than 60 seconds.

He first leaped to his left to palm away a powerful 20-yard effort from Paul Telfer.

The resulting corner was only half-cleared to Telfer whose cross was met eight yards out by Claus Lundekvam.

He was denied his first goal for the Saints as Simonsen arched backwards to save.

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Everton: Simonsen, Pistone, Stubbs, Weir, Naysmith, Alexandersson, Gravesen, Gemmill, Unsworth, Radzinski, Watson. Subs: Gerrard, Pembridge, Gascoigne, Moore, Xavier.

Southampton: Jones, Dodd, Bridge, Lundekvam, Williams, Telfer, Marsden, Oakley, Svensson, Beattie, Pahars. Subs: Davies, Moss, Delap, El Khalej, Petrescu.

Referee: J Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).