Cahill hails hero Howard

Everton midfielder Tim Cahill has heaped praise on goalkeeper Tim Howard after their 2-1 upset win over Manchester City on Monday.

The visitors at Eastlands took a two-goal lead in the opening half hour courtesy of a trademark Cahill header and a curling Leighton Baines strike, but had a massive task before them when striker Victor Anichebe was sent off midway through the second half.

City eventually scored when a Yaya Toure strike deflected in off Phil Jagielka for an own goal, but Cahill said that took nothing away from Howard’s performance between the posts.

“He’s been the man not just this season but all the other seasons as well. It’s what he brings to the team,” Cahill told Sky Sports.

“There’s times in games when we look to him to get us out of it and tonight he did that.”

Cahill said claiming the scalp of title contenders City was deserved reward for a run of good form that has not seen them convert goals into points.

“The achievement is massive for us. We knew we had to work hard but what’s been going on in the last couple of months, we’ve been working, playing some good football and not got the rewards,” the Australian said.

“But we’ve come to a stadium where it is hard to play and showed our mettle and played some good football too.”