Cahill header stops Liverpool from going top

Australian midfielder Tim Cahill produced a trademark header to snatch a 1-1 draw for Everton and deny cross-town rival Liverpool top spot in the Premier League.

Liverpool looked set to overtake Manchester United when Steven Gerrard, captaining his club for the 250th time, broke the deadlock in Monday’s fiercely-contested Anfield derby clash with a superb long-range finish in the 68th minute.

But once again Cahill came to Everton’s rescue, evading his marker from an 87th minute free kick by Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta to head home the equaliser from three metres out.

It was Cahill’s fourth goal in Merseyside derbies and he’s the only player from outside the UK to have scored so many goals in games between the rivals.

The Socceroo star’s fifth Premier League goal of the season lifted him to equal top-scorer for Everton alongside Arteta and Yakubu.

It also extended his team’s unbeaten run to six games and kept them in sixth place, five points clear of Wigan.

“It is great for the team – it is good reward for the effort of the team,” Cahill said. “They worked very hard for that.”

There was no disguising the anguish it caused for Liverpool after their fifth draw at Anfield left them level on points with leader Manchester United but behind on goal difference.

Manchester United, Alex Ferguson’s defending champions, have a game in hand over Liverpool and have dropped just two points at home compared to Liverpool’s 10.

“We are very disappointed because with three minutes to go we were winning the game,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “We have lost two points at home, but we are still level on points with United.

“We have to be positive. It is a long race and we are in three competitions (the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup) and fighting for everything.”

Gerrard’s fierce strike past Tim Howard in the 68th minute looked to have settled the 209th Merseyside derby.

But with strikers Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane substituted by the time Cahill pounced, a late winner from lone striker Dirk Kuyt never looked likely.

Just 55 seconds had elapsed when Everton forced Pepe Reina into his first save, with Victor Anichebe bringing the ball down on his chest and unleashing a low volley.

Liverpool’s attempts at creativity were thwarted by Everton’s physical approach, with challenges on Gerrard by Phil Neville, Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta unpunished by referee Howard Webb. Dirk Kuyt, Robbie Keane and Martin Skrtel were also fouled without any bookings.

The Toffees posed little threat until a quick counterattack ended with Cahill’s header saved by Reina at the far post.

Liverpool’s best chance came after the half-hour mark when Torres – starting for the first time since November after hamstring troubles – latched onto Sami Hyypia’s deep ball and beat two defenders, but he chipped wide of the onrushing Howard.

While Liverpool dominated possession in the first period, Everton had more efforts on target.

The Reds sought to correct that after the break, with Albert Riera quickly letting fly from 25 metres with a shot that swerved wide.

Torres was appealing for a penalty inside two minutes when hauled down by Phil Jagielka.

Gerrard had a shot spilled by Howard and as Hyypia raced in to connect with the rebound, Leighton Baines made a decisive block.

Everton thought Webb should have awarded a penalty when Martin Skrtel tangled with Victor Anichebe in the 67th minute.