Cahill says pressure is on the Reds
Tim Cahill believes the pressure is now on Liverpool to catch Everton in the race for fourth place in the Premiership this season.
The 25-year-old played a key role in the Toffees’ best performance of the season last weekend, the 3-1 win at Aston Villa.
Rivals Liverpool lost in the Carling Cup final to Chelsea yesterday, meaning the gap between the two is now eight points although Rafael Benitez’ side have a game in hand.
Cahill returned from suspension to score the opening goal at Villa Park and believes his team-mates are thriving at being the front-runners for the final Champions League place.
He said: “The win puts pressure on other teams after what was definitely the best performance of the season.”
In the 12 years of the Premier League, the average points needed for fourth spot is 67, which means Everton need to win five of their final 10 games to be virtually certain of qualifying for Europe’s top competition.
“You can say that we are thriving on the pressure at the moment but we have really got no choice,” he added.
“If you want yourself up there knocking about with the big boys then you have got to play well. If you play well and give yourself a chance then fair enough but if it is not enough then it’s not enough. All we know is that we are very honest lads and we work hard for each other.
“I suppose it was just one of those days on Saturday when everything falls for you. On other days that does not always happen, I am just happy to be on the winning team.
“I am currently loving it. Who would not enjoy playing in the Premier League? It is a different step up from the First Division and when you play in big stadiums like Villa Park it is an absolute pleasure to be a part of it.
“There was a lot of pressure on us to get a result. We went to Villa Park, we were strong and we took it to them.
“It just goes to show how far we have come and how well we have played and if it stays like this, then it is why you play football – it’s fantastic.
“We were very organised and difficult to break down. A lot of the lads worked very hard but I think we have been difficult to break down all season and it was important that we bounced back from some poor results of late. It is great to be on the winning team.”
The pressure will mount again on Liverpool on Saturday when they have a tough away match against Newcastle, their first outing since the shattering experience of losing in Cardiff.
If Benitez’ side fail to win, Everton can take full advantage at home to struggling Blackburn the following day.
Cahill added: “We just have to take it one game at a time and get the most we can out of it. Next weekend we have got Blackburn and again we will be playing for a result.”
Meanwhile, Everton have agreed a deal to sign Cambridge United’s teenage keeper John Ruddy at the end of the season.
The 18-year-old had a trial at Manchester United earlier this season and has attracted attention from Arsenal and Celtic.
But he has opted for Goodison Park and will sign for an undisclosed fee in the summer.
Everton still have veteran Nigel Martyn, Richard Wright and Scottish youngster Iain Turner. Although Martyn has signed a one-year extension to his contract, he is not expected to be at Everton for more than the next couple of years.
Ruddy has played 29 times for Cambridge this season and is also an England Under-19 international.
