Cahill Brace Sends Everton Four Clear Of Arch Riva

Qantas Socceroo Tim Cahill has once again made the headlines with a brace of goals in Everton’s 4-0 defeat of Crystal Palace and extended their lead over Liverpool back to four points in the race for the fourth European Champions League place for next season.

Qantas Socceroo Tim Cahill has once again made the headlines with a brace of goals in Everton-s 4-0 defeat of Crystal Palace and extended their lead over Liverpool back to four points in the race for the fourth European Champions League place for next season.

Cahill (pictured right) struck twice soon after the half time break, to break the back of Palace-s resistance and once again highlight, just how much he means to this Everton side that many tipped for relegation at the start of the season.

His two goal effort however was overshadowed by his young teammate James Vaughan, who became the youngest ever goalscorer in Premiership history with his goal four minutes from the end to make the score 4-0. When he came off the bench for his first team, he also became the youngest ever player to don an Everton shirt.

It capped a good day for the Everton, who needed a win, after three straight losses had seen their handy break over Liverpool dwindled to one. However their arch rivals shock loss on Saturday at Manchester City, gave Everton every reason to feel confident against the relegation threatened Palace team that again was minus Qantas Socceroo Tony Popovic. 

Mikel Arteta gave Everton a 7th minute lead and Cahill added to that soon after the second half kick-off. Cahill pounced to spin and crash a volley into the roof of the net and then eight minutes later, he scored his customary goal with head after floating in at the back post to nod home a Kevin Kilbane cross.

Cahill has now scored ten goals for the season.

Meanwhile, fellow Qantas Socceroo Mark Bresciano made an impression of a different kind, lasting just six minutes on the field after coming on as a second half substitute in Parma-s important 3-1 win away at Reggina.

Bresciano received a yellow card within a minute of coming on and then another five minutes later to get his marching orders, although the Parma had the game wrapped up by then.

The win lifted Parma up to 15th place, but they are still only three points clear of the relegation zone with eight matches to play.

On Saturday, Qantas Socceroo Jason Culina continues to press his claims for more national team honours with a double in Twente Enschede won 2-1 against Heerenveen.

Culina-s two goals takes his season tally to 14 and kept Twente in 6th position, well in the hunt for a place in Europe next season.