All eyes were on Southampton's manager Glenn Hoddle at The Dell as speculation mounts about his future - but it was his team who earned the applause from the capacity crowd.

Hoddle may have to do some serious thinking over whether he wants to be in the running to take over from George Graham as Spurs manager.

But he cleared his mind long enough to join in the clapping as Saints completed a club record seven matches without conceding a goal to make their claims for a place in next season's European competition all the more credible.

Hoddle spent the first half of a largely anonymous match in the directors' box alongside Saints chairman Rupert Lowe.

But he received a standing ovation at the start of the second half when he made his way along the touchline to a more familiar position in the dugout.

Fans chanted his name to persuade him not to leave Southampton, and his players did him proud too with a battling performance in a match settled by an outstanding individual goal from Jo Tessem.

The Norwegian broke through a statuesque Everton defence in the 57th minute, and although his shot was partially blocked by goalkeeper Paul Gerrard the ball rolled into the net for his sixth of the season.

Hoddle had endured some disappointing finishing from his team - with Matt Oakley, Mark Draper and Marian Pahars all going close.

Only after Southampton had gone ahead did disappointing Everton spark into life.

They forced six corners in as many minutes but only seriously threatened Paul Jones in the Southampton goal on one occasion.

That was in the 70th minute when Thomas Gravesen took a corner on the right and Duncan Ferguson got in a header which was pushed to safety at full stretch by the Welsh international.

Everton's revival coincided with the appearance slimline Paul Gascoigne in the 71st minute as a replacement for Niclas Alexandersson.

Gascoigne added some much-needed urgency to the Everton midfield and at last provided some support to the isolated figure of Ferguson in attack.

Scot Gemmill almost equalised in the 75th minute when he raced into the Southampton box and lifted a shot over the on-rushing Jones, but James Beattie got back to concede a corner.

Gemmill also went close to breaking Southampton's long run without conceding a goal in the first half - but his diving header flew narrowly wide.

Everton manager Walter Smith also sent on Alessandro Pistone and David Unsworth near the end in a bid to force an equaliser. But Southampton's defence, in which Dean Richards was outstanding, held firm.

Referee Mark Halsey booked Southampton's Wayne Bridge for a foul in the 81st minute when Everton's pressure was at its fiercest.

Halsey also cautioned Pistone in injury time for failing to retreat for a free-kick.

Hoddle made only one change in the second half, sending on club captain Jason Dodd in place on Tahar El Khalej to shore up the defence as Everton's pressure grew more intense.

All eyes were on Southampton's manager Glenn Hoddle at The Dell as speculation mounts about his future - but it was his team who earned the applause from the capacity crowd.

Hoddle may have to do some serious thinking over whether he wants to be in the running to take over from George Graham as Spurs manager.

But he cleared his mind long enough to join in the clapping as Saints completed a club record seven matches without conceding a goal to make their claims for a place in next season's European competition all the more credible.

Hoddle spent the first half of a largely anonymous match in the directors' box alongside Saints chairman Rupert Lowe.

But he received a standing ovation at the start of the second half when he made his way along the touchline to a more familiar position in the dugout.

Fans chanted his name to persuade him not to leave Southampton, and his players did him proud too with a battling performance in a match settled by an outstanding individual goal from Jo Tessem.

The Norwegian broke through a statuesque Everton defence in the 57th minute, and although his shot was partially blocked by goalkeeper Paul Gerrard the ball rolled into the net for his sixth of the season.

Hoddle had endured some disappointing finishing from his team - with Matt Oakley, Mark Draper and Marian Pahars all going close.

Only after Southampton had gone ahead did disappointing Everton spark into life.

They forced six corners in as many minutes but only seriously threatened Paul Jones in the Southampton goal on one occasion.

That was in the 70th minute when Thomas Gravesen took a corner on the right and Duncan Ferguson got in a header which was pushed to safety at full stretch by the Welsh international.

Everton's revival coincided with the appearance slimline Paul Gascoigne in the 71st minute as a replacement for Niclas Alexandersson.

Gascoigne added some much-needed urgency to the Everton midfield and at last provided some support to the isolated figure of Ferguson in attack.

Scot Gemmill almost equalised in the 75th minute when he raced into the Southampton box and lifted a shot over the on-rushing Jones, but James Beattie got back to concede a corner.

Gemmill also went close to breaking Southampton's long run without conceding a goal in the first half - but his diving header flew narrowly wide.

Everton manager Walter Smith also sent on Alessandro Pistone and David Unsworth near the end in a bid to force an equaliser. But Southampton's defence, in which Dean Richards was outstanding, held firm.

Referee Mark Halsey booked Southampton's Wayne Bridge for a foul in the 81st minute when Everton's pressure was at its fiercest.

Halsey also cautioned Pistone in injury time for failing to retreat for a free-kick.

Hoddle made only one change in the second half, sending on club captain Jason Dodd in place on Tahar El Khalej to shore up the defence as Everton's pressure grew more intense.