Tim Cahill believes Everton must add quality to their side and retain the services of the current squad if they are to build upon their FA Cup final appearance.

The Socceroos midfielder had a quiet game as The Toffees lost 2-1 to the London club despite taking the lead through the quickest ever Cup final goal from Louis Saha after 25 seconds.

Goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard ultimately turned the game in Guus Hiddink’s side’s favour.

Though distraught at his second final defeat, five years after his Millwall side lost to Manchester United, Cahill had the perspective to take pride in the Liverpool outfit’s achievements in the 2008-09 season.

He is now desperate for his current employers to take the leap up from being England’s fifth club and ensure their 14-year wait for a major trophy does not go on much longer.

“We have a lot to be proud of, we beat a lot of good teams to get here and we finished fifth in the Premier League,” said Cahill.

“We had a lot of youngsters on the bench as well. Credit to the manager. (Jack) Rodwell, (Dan) Gosling, (Jose) Baxter and (James) Vaughan who came on … we’ve got a lot of fresh talent.

“I just hope to God all the players stay together and next season we kick on with some investment and some new faces.

“I’m very proud of the lads, of the football club, the chairman and the gaffer and especially the fans, for what we’ve achieved with such a small squad and all the injuries we’ve inherited.”

The lack of injured talisman Mikel Arteta was particularly critical for Everton in England’s showpiece game as they struggled to keep the ball throughout, leading to Cahill remaining on the periphery of the game.

Unfortunately the moment when the 29-year-old Australian came closest to affecting the game’s outcome, his block of Alex’s clearance and subsequent shot at goal from 25 yards just after the hour mark, led to him picking up a knock on his left hip which limited his movement thereafter.

Although he did not have the impact on proceedings that had been hoped for by the Everton fans who brought to the game banners such as “King Cahill” and “Jesus Saves … but Cahill nets the rebound”, they will have appreciated him being the last player to leave the field after he had thanked them for their support.

It typified Cahill’s devotion to the cause of whichever team he represents, be that former club Millwall – who he watched lose at Wembley in the League One play-off final the previous weekend – Everton or Australia.

“I’m very passionate about the football club I play for,” added Cahill.

“Last time I played in the Cup Final was with Millwall – it’s a club very close to my heart. I was gutted they didn’t go up and it’s the same for Everton.”

On a personal level, Cahill can take some solace on completely surpassing the goals he set himself ahead of a season he initially thought would simply be a tune-up for the following 12 months.

A persistent foot injury curtailed him in 2007/2008 and also delayed by a month the beginning of his latest campaign which he began with very low expectations.

“My ultimate aim this year was just to be fit and get my goals and have a massive season next year,” said Cahill.

“I’m very happy this season to have played 30-to-40 games.”

© AP 2012

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