Everton see red over Cahill dismissal

David Moyes revealed that Everton will this week attempt to overturn the red card issued to Tim Cahill during the 2-0 defeat to neighbours Liverpool.

Cahill's dismissal – the 17th sending off in 33 Premier League meetings between the Merseyside rivals – came ten minutes from time after the Australia star lunged at Liverpool's Xabi Alonso.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was left fuming by the challenge and claimed Cahill had “lost his head” as Everton battled to get back into the game after falling behind to two Fernando Torres goals.

But Moyes was adamant the punishment did not fit the the crime and with Cahill set to miss the Blues' next three league games, will now ask referee Mike Riley to review his decision.

The Everton manager said: “I don't think it's a sending off. I think it warranted a yellow card, not a red card.

“We will ask the referee to have another look at it because I don't think it was the worst tackle in the game today.

“I don't think anyone in the ground thought it was going to be a red card and so I thought it was because he hadn't walked to the referee. But that would have been two yellow cards.”

But Benitez claimed the two footed challenge could have caused a serious injury to his player.

The Spaniard said: “Xabi told me it could have been worse for him. I haven't seen the replay but I think Cahill lost his head because of a problem with Alvaro Arbeloa just a few moments earlier.”

Liverpool had the game wrapped up long before Cahill's dismissal and their clinial performance re-established them as serious title contenders after last week's frustrating home draw with lowly Stoke.

Benitez admitted the challenge now facing his side is to remain amongst the pacesetters and Torres' second and third goals of the season boosted the manager's belief that Liverpool can push the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea all the way this season.

The manager added:” Clearly we have players like Fernando who can play these kind of games and score these kind of goals.

“It means we can play with more confidence and to keep the ball because he is always a threat for defenders.

“We are at the top of the table. If we can stay there for a long time that will be really good.

“At least we have confidence now. We are playing well and you can see the team has a balance. We are strong in defence and when you are playing well you know you can beat anyone.”

Moyes admitted he was concerned by his own team's form after Everton made it three defeats from three home league games this season.

“Our start does worry me because it's the same group of players in the main that finished fifth last year but our performances haven't matched that.

“But when you're a manager you're going to have periods when there's low confidence or when you're not playing well, or you can't find a winning formula. So my job is to try and find that.”

Cahill's day might have turned out very differently if he had managed to convert a 14th-minute chance rather than miscuing just four yards out.

Everton would scarcely have deserved a lead however and, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso dominating in midfield, Liverpool should have put the game beyond reach long before Torres finally broke the deadlock.

Gerrard's weighted pass allowed Robbie Keane, played onside by a sleeping Joleon Lescott, to cross from the by-line and the ball dropped perfectly for Torres to volley past Howard just short of the hour.

Keane was also involved in the build-up to Liverpool's second although the critical pass came from Everton centreback Phil Jagielka, whose challenge on Dirk Kuyt succeeded only in diverting the ball into the path of Torres, who finished confidently from 12 yards.