Cahill eases Everton into FA Cup quarter-finals

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill scored the decisive goal as Everton booked their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

Cahill struck with 14 minutes remaining to put the fifth round result beyond doubt at Goodison Park after Mikel Arteta’s penalty had put Everton ahead for the second time.

Teenage midfielder Jack Rodwell gave Everton the perfect start as he scored his first goal for David Moyes’ team in the fourth minute.

Cahill met Arteta’s corner with a bullet header that Stiliyan Petrov could only clear off the line to Rodwell, who lashed the loose ball back into the net from close range.

Villa equalised when Tony Hibbert chopped down Gabriel Agbonlahor in the eighth minute and James Milner’s low penalty trickled under Tim Howard.

Everton, who last reached the quarter-finals in 2002, went back in front in the 24th minute through another penalty. This time Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell brought down Victor Anichebe and Arteta stroked home the spot-kick.

Cahill sealed the win after 76 minutes when he sprayed a pass wide to Anichebe and burst into the area to finish the striker’s return pass with a scuffed shot.

Chelsea are the only other team definitely into the last eight after beating Watford 3-1 on Saturday.

Blackburn rescued a 2-2 draw with Coventry, West Ham drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough, Fulham were held to a 1-1 draw at Swansea and Hull were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Sheffield United.

Manchester United travel to Derby in Sunday’s late match.