Moyes backs Cahill as player of the year

Tim Cahill’s performances as an emergency striker have been good enough to put him in contention for England’s player-of-the-year awards, Everton boss David Moyes believes.

Everton’s injury woes have resulted in the Australian midfielder regularly being pressed into a forward role and he has responded with some vital goals for the Merseysiders.

“I think Tim is all about the spirit he gives to the team and his all round play,” Moyes said. “It’s not always just his form in the game, it?s what he gives to the team and what he gives to the club.

“Maybe people in time will look at Tim and see him as a player who is worthy of that top spot (player of the season).”

Cristiano Ronaldo won both the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and English Football Writers player of the year awards for last season.

Ronaldo’s mixed form in the first half of the season suggests he may not retain the awards with his team-mates Nemanja Vidic and Edwin van der Sar among the front-runners to succeed him.