Cahill seals deal for Everton with winning goal

FT Stoke 2 Everton 3

Tim Cahill celebrated his return to Everton’s starting line-up with the winning goal against Stoke to settle a thrilling Barclays Premier League encounter at the Britannia Stadium.

Cahill had yet to feature this season as he had been sidelined by the broken metatarsal that kept him out for much of the last campaign but he marked his surprise inclusion by striking the decisive blow, heading home Mikel Arteta’s corner in the 76th minute.

Everton had taken a two-goal lead with strikes from Ayegbeni Yakubu and Victor Anichebe either side of half-time before Stoke fought back and restored parity through Seyi Olofinjana and Phil Jagielka’s own goal.

Stoke were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Leon Cort handled the ball inside the box under pressure from Yakubu in the 74th minute.

The offence clearly took place inside the area but Wiley awarded a free-kick on the edge.

The decision incensed David Moyes so much that the Everton manager was sent to the stands following his protests.

Moyes would have felt a sense of justice two minutes later when Cahill headed home Arteta’s corner at the near post to restore Everton’s lead.