 IT may not have the same immediate resonance as Adrian Heath at Oxford, but Tomasz Radzinski's injury-time winner on Saturday could prove to have a similarly defining impact on Everton's future. For a whole generation of Blues supporters, success such as the period sparked by that famous late goal at the Manor Ground some 20 years ago has seemed a lifetime away, consigned to years-old videos and fast-fading newspaper cuttings. So even the most optimistic could not have forseen Everton's present lofty position. Most would have settled for a season of consolidation and gradual improvement after too many years toying with relegation; Champions League football a mere pipedream. A glance at the Premiership table this morning suggests it is anything but. Only goal difference separates David Moyes' men from that vital final qualifying berth and with it an invitation to join Europe's finest clubs. Consolidation has made way for expectation. And what is more, after Saturday's last-gasp, richly-deserved win over Southampton, both supporters and play-ers are now beginning to genuinely believe that, never mind a UEFA Cup spot, Everton can claim that elusive fourth place. It was such belief that carried the Blues through to a victory that had appeared agonisingly out of reach against a Saints side which rode their luck and, thanks to Antti Niemi, were driven by the best display from a visiting goalkeeper at Goodison for many a year. That three points were ultimately gleaned once more underlined the tremendous will to succeed that Moyes has engendered in his squad. They simply refused to accept defeat and kept battering on the door until the visitors had no option but to yield. This attitude was typified by Radzinski (above right). Both frustrated and frustrating for the majority of the game, the Canadian international refused to be affected by some wayward finishing and downright bad luck and was rewarded with two well-taken and potentially priceless goals. The first, seven minutes from time, owed much to the precocious talent of Wayne Rooney, who was making his Goodison return following his four-match ban. England's youngest-ever international curled a teasing, inswinging cross from the left that was just asking for Radzinski - probably the smallest player on the pitch - to leap unmarked and head into the corner. Radzinski, of course, is the one player most under threat from Rooney's rise to prominence. But as he pointed out after the game, there has been evidence to suggest that the two players can even reside in the same 11. And indeed, rather than be intimidated by his younger rival, Radzinski has responded by producing his best form since arriving from Anderlecht in the summer of 2001. He has also benefited from Moyes policy of keeping faith with in-form players. There are no favourites and this has increased the competition for places among the squad - the strength of the substitutes' bench on Saturday giving an illustration of how this policy is working. Everyone wants to play in a side doing as well as Everton are, but no-one is guaranteed a place. Radzinski's winner was all his own work. With the game in the final of three minutes' stoppage time, Southampton dallied over their attempts to play down the clock deep in Everton's half and gifted possession to Richard Wright. In an instant the goalkeeper belted the ball downfield, and a poor defensive clearance found Thomas Gravesen in the centre circle, who quickly fed Radzinski on the right flank into space. With barely seconds remaining, there was little option but to go it alone. Radzinski had rattled the frame of Niemi's goal earlier after speeding into the area from a similar right-wing position. This time, however, he made no mistake with a blistering effort which flew into the top corner from an angle so difficult it forced most observers to look twice before believing that Radzinski had actually scored. It was some goal, and one which people are likely to point to if the Blues can qualify for the Champions League. Its immediate impact was to put nine points between themselves and Southampton, another side harbouring realistic hopes of European qualification. While Radzinski was rightly taking the plaudits, credit, too, must go to Moyes. Everton were surprisingly subdued and slow-witted during a first period which saw a scarcely better Southampton move ahead thanks to James Beattie's 33rd-minute lob after Alessandro Pistone had played him onside from Matt Oakley's pass. The Blues boss was compelled to make changes which proved inspirational. | 
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