Tim Cahill left ecstatic after ‘phenomenal’ moment he saw in Everton v Liverpool
Tim Cahill was left ecstatic after what he witnessed in the Premier League draw between Everton and Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Toffees did themselves proud during the Merseyside derby and stole a point at the very end, but could have taken all three after a real battle.
Everton may have found themselves on the back foot for most of the second half, but, thanks to the resilience that David Moyes has instilled since taking over from Sean Dyche, everything worked out.
Despite the clashing of heads between Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones, of course.
It was the end of the game that was stuck in the mind of Cahill due to the way James Tarkowski managed to level the scores at 2-2.
Tim Cahill buzzing with Everton scenes v Liverpool
Under Dyche, the Toffees seemed to lack a clear vision and seemed to be heading for the drop zone, which, for a team of the Toffees’ stature would have been catastrophic, especially since they’re set to move into their new Bramley Moore-Dock stadium.
Speaking on the BBC’s Football Daily Podcast (12 February), Cahill shared his thoughts on the performance of his former team.
“That was a proper derby and it was like rolling back the years,” he said. “On the whole, it was played in a great way and there was a lot of passion and fight in the game.
“I know that it spilled over at the end but the game itself was very competitive with tackles flying in.
“What an end to the game, but also what a finish from James Tarkowski. That was a striker’s finish because it was an absolute rocket of a touch.
“Everton have come away feeling like they won the game. The VAR wait almost added to the atmosphere because it gave the fans another a chance to celebrate when the goal was given.
“A phenomenal end to the game.”
James Tarkowski will be in the Goodison Park history books
Of all Everton’s players this season, Tarkowski has arguably been one of the most consistent within the Merseyside outfit’s starting XI.
He’s once again managed to form a formidable partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite and has ensured that the Toffees’ defensive line is a tough nut to crack.
Thanks to his last-minute equaliser, the centre-back will have likely imprinted his name in the Goodison Park history books as he was the one who stopped Liverpool.
Only time will tell what the rest of the season has in store for Everton but if they continue playing as they did against Arne Slot’s men across the rest of the season, it’s hard to see how they’d end up in the Premier League relegation zone.
Which, when you look at their form in the Premier League from when Dyche was the man at the helm, is fairly impressive.