Tim Cahill’s late goal leads Everton to victory

By: 21 | September 14th, 2008

Timmy Cahill’s header thirteen minutes before the end of regulation gave Everton an important victory over Stoke City at Britannia Stadium. It was the Aussie’s first start since a nasty break to his foot and his return will definitely add a spark to the Toffee’s attack.

Stoke continues to play unlike a recently promoted squad and seemed to be heading for a at least a draw. Yakubu (Aiyegbeni) opened the scoring four minutes before the half. It looked to be clear sailing when Victor Anichebe doubled the lead six minutes after the break when he re-directed a Mikel Arteta set piece. Stoke had other plans in front of their fans and scratched and clawed back in the match completely ruining my early celebration plans. Seyi George Olofinjana drew one back when a poor parry by Tim Howard dropped in-front of him and before you could say “all good things are blue” (get used to it), the ball was in the back of the net. The match was leveled when Rory Delap, with one of those unbelievable throw-ins of his, launched one into the box and it ker-plunked off Phil Jagielka into the goal. His throw-ins always are a marvel and it bit Everton today. Finally Timmy Cahill’s winner came thirteen minutes before the end of regulation when he headed Mikel Arteta’s corner in.

The match wasn’t without incident as a few minutes before the winning strike David Moyes was shown executive seating in the stands for disputing a hand-ball. Whether the FA chooses further disciplinary action is unclear so we’ll have to wait and see.

Everton: Tim Howard, Phil Neville , Joseph Yobo , Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Marouane Fellaini, Victor Anichebe (James Vaughan 90), Timmy Cahill (Jack Rodwell 81), Segundo Castillo , Mikel Arteta, Yakubu.
Subs Not Used: Nash, Baines, Nuno Valente, Kissock, Baxter.
Booked: Arteta.
Goals: Yakubu 41, Anichebe 51, Cahill 77.

Stoke City: Sorensen, Griffin, Sonko, Cort, Higginbotham, Lawrence (Cresswell 86), Abdoulaye Faye (Tonge 81), Olofinjana, Delap, Kitson (Sidibe 81), Fuller.
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Whelan, Shawcross, Wilkinson.
Booked: Fuller, Abdoulaye Faye.
Goals: Olofinjana 55, Jagielka 63 og.