With only five wins in thirty five visits to Goodison, Saints fans weren't too optimistic about taking on an Everton side looking to get into Europe.
They were right to be concerned. Southampton were outmatched in nearly every department, and the game was eventually reduced to watching wave after wave of attack from the home side.
Saints never really got into the game and they were always second best in challenges. Clearly Everton wanted the win, while Saints quickly ran out of ideas.
After Oakley's awkward twenty five yard effort after five minutes, Everton's Steve Watson caused all manner of problems.
Watson had to watch in dismay as shot after shot was blocked by the Saints defence.
After ten minutes, Everton were clearly on top as Radzinski's pace also began to cause problems.
One thing that Southampton can take away from the game is their defending. For long spells in the first half the back four were excellent. However, without support, there's only so long that level of play can be sustained.
There were far more negatives than positives for the visitors. James Beattie had a very long range effort go wide, and had a few words for Fabrice Fernandes when the Frenchman failed to offer support in the box.
This toothless midfield is a real problem. For all Fernandes' trickery defenders are now able to deal with him effectively. Away from home, Anders Svensson drops back and effectively takes himself out of the attack. This puts Saints on the back foot and they simply haven't the steel or skill to cope. On the left, Prutton looks a good player, but he's a far cry from Chris Marsden's influence on the team.
It was a huge surprise, therefore, that it was Southampton who took the lead on thirty two minutes. The Everton defence tried and failed to play the England international offside. Beattie in acres of space placed a delicate lob over Richard Wright.
That Beattie should convert practically his only chance so well, is testament to his character. He spent most of the game by himself and although Ormerod tries hard, he's not Premiership material yet.
The goal gave Saints a more positive approach. Ormerod saw a couple of chances blocked and he was clearly fouled on the edge of the area by Stubbs. Oakley and Svensson also saw opportunities go wide.
Saints had a shooting opportunity at the end of the half. However so low is Brett Ormerod's confidence that he felt he had to pass to an offside James Beattie rather than shoot himself. Brett became the second player to receive some harsh words from Beattie.
Everton must have went into half time, wondering how they could possibly have gone behind. They cam out for the second half intent on ensuring that they would restore the scoreline to something more appropriate to the displays of the two sides.
Saints spent practically the whole half in their penalty box. Where Everton could pick out long balls, Southampton could only hit and hope. Where Everton would play direct, simple passes, Southampton had to watch Fernandes run in circles before giving the ball away.
With no one to release the pressure, Saints were always likely to concede. Only the brilliance of Antii Niemi kept the ball out of the Saints net for as long as it did.
Radzinski had the better of Michael Svensson who had a few lapses in concentration as the game wore on. The Canadian's shot on fifty minutes was one of Niemi's easier saves. The Finnish international had to make a fantastic one handed save to prevent Neysmith from getting the equaliser two minutes later.
Another one handed save was required from an Everton corner after fifty five minutes.
While Saints defence just about kept the home side at bay, their attack had a three minute spell where they could have extended the lead. Fabrice Fernandes got his only decent ball of the day from open play came from the left across to Beattie whose volley, although perfectly timed, was stopped by Wright.
After Ormerod's shot was blocked by the Everton defence, Fernandes put in an excellent corner. Beattie header had to be cleared off the line.
Seeing the sudden danger that Southampton posed, David Moyes had no hesitation inn changing his personnel. On came Campbell and Graveson for McBride and Le Tie.
Graveson had taken Saints apart in previous games, but he was reduced to a few off target shots. He was instrumental in ensuring that Saints were not allowed to get forward. Campbell caused the Saints defence all sorts of problems, pulling players off their markers, and creating plenty of chances for his team mates.
After another fingertip save form Niemi, Strachan brought Tessem on for Ormerod. A lightweight striker being taken off by someone pretending to be a striker. While Strachan perhaps thought that someone to hold the ball up in forward positions was the answer, Saints problems lay just ahead of their defence, so the change made no difference to the flow of the game.
Everton continued to pile on the pressure. Campbell saw a shot go over the bar and then Wayne Rooney was introduced. With Campbell and Watson already causing serious problems, Rooney was simply just too much for Saints to deal with. Radzinski hit the post on sixty five minutes and Rooney had a shot straight at Niemi.
In an effort to strengthen the defence, Strachan brought on Jason Dodd for Fernandes. This moved Paul Telfer into the midfield. While the idea was excellent, Dodd simply didn't have enough match sharpness to counter so many Everton threats and he was second best in many of Rooney's attacks. A better option would have been to push Dodd forward into the midfield slot while Telfer continued to hold the fort at the back.
After that change it was one Everton attack after another. Rooney, Radzinski, Campbell and Graveson all had chances but Saints managed to hold on.
It took until the eighty second minute for Everton to get back on level terms. Having been given plenty of room by Dodd, Rooney's cross perfectly picked out Radzinski in the centre. Radzinski was able to power a header past Niemi because he was also given far too much space by Michael Svensson.
Having had to endure so much pressure, only to concede a goal Saints went to pieces an Everton looked as though they would go on to win. Saints still couldn't get the ball clear and looked pretty clueless. Yet Everton couldn't seem to make another breakthrough. Jason Dodd did well to prevent Rooney scoring at the far post. With a minute to go, Saints found themselves in the corner of Everton's half.
Saints, sadly looked inept at running the clock down. Mix ups over throw ins, no clear plan and cheaply giving the ball away all contributed to Saints downfall.
When Southampton contrived to give the ball away through Prutton, Everton broke up the park in injury time. Slack marking allowed Radzinski to get a powerful shot in on goal which flew past Niemi at his near post.
It was bitterly disappointing for Saints fans but no less that the impressive Everton display deserved.
While Saints fans will have spent most of the match with a sick feeling of tension in their stomachs at being in the lead, Everton fans will be pleased that their side kept going and going until the victory was secured.
Saints man of the match was Antii Niemi, with Claus in second. Matt Oakley had a good first half before the rest of the Saints midfield posted missing around him.