STOKE-ON-TRENT // Tim Cahill returned from six months out injured to head the winning goal that clinched Everton's 3-2 victory at Stoke at the Britannia Stadium. The 28-year-old Australia midfielder, who broke his foot in March, surged away from his marker to meet Mikel Arteta's corner in the 77th minute after Everton had allowed the Premier League newcomers to claw back a two-goal deficit. After a torrid first half, Yakubu put Everton ahead five minutes before half time and totally against the run of play before Victor Anichebe doubled the advantage six minutes after the break.
But Rory Delap inspired Stoke's deserved comeback with two trademark long-distance throw-ins that enabled Seyi Olofinjana to volley over the line in the 55th minute before the Potteries side's equaliser came courtesy of the ball skimming off the Everton defender Phil Jagielka's head in the 63rd minute to level the scores. Stoke were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Leon Cort handled the ball inside the box under pressure from Yakubu in the 74th minute.
Neither the referee or his assistant spotted the infringement, much to the annoyance of the Toffees boss David Moyes, whose subsequent protests were deemed excessive by the referee Alan Wiley who dismissed him to the stands. Moyes would have felt a sense of justice two minutes later when Cahill headed home Arteta's corner at the near post to restore Everton's lead. *AP