Everton 3, Larissa 1

Oct 25 2007

Tim Cahill scripted his return to perfection with a trademark goal to hand Everton a half-time advantage in their UEFA Cup Group A encounter against Greek outfit Larissa.

The Australian, making his first start since the beginning of March, greeted Leon Osman’s low cross with a delightful diving header in the 14th minute.

Cahill almost made it 2-0 five minutes before the break but visiting goalkeeper Stefanos Kotsolis made a smart stop to avert the danger.

Since the original injury, sustained at Sheffield United on March 3, Cahill’s only senior action had been for his country in the summer’s Asia Cup.

Cahill’s inclusion one of five changes to the side controversially beaten 2-1 by Merseyside rivals Liverpool on Saturday.

Larissa, who bundled Blackburn out of the UEFA Cup in the previous round, included former Everton striker Ibrahima Bakayoko in their starting line-up.

The Ivory Coast striker first arrived on Merseyside in October 1998 for £4.5million from Montpellier but joined Marseille the following summer after failing to impress.

The Greeks' small band of travelling supporters outsung the home fans in the early stages as the Toffees struggled to find any rhythm.

Cahill almost came to life in the fifth minute as he tried to latch onto Steven Pienaar’s downward header from Tony Hibbert’s deep cross.

But he was closed down immediately and the visitors began to gain a foothold on proceedings with their slick passing.

Indeed, they should have led in the ninth minute when Cleyton Alexandre Silva connected with a wicked low cross from the right - only to sidefoot his effort weakly wide.

Moments later Bakayoko fleetingly threatened with a menacing run and shot from 18 yards which drew a vital block from recalled left-back Leighton Baines.

Everton were soon ahead courtesy of a predatory Cahill effort in the 13th minute.

Leon Osman and Mikel Arteta worked a one-two from a corner on the left and Osman’s whipped cross was greeted with a diving header from Cahill.

It was classic Cahill and the Australian celebrated with a trademark sparring session with a corner flag.

The relief at scoring his first goal since last October against Arsenal was plain for all to see.

It should have been 2-0 in the 21st minute after more good work from the Everton goalscorer.

Neat footwork from Pienaar down the right flank allowed the South African to find Cahill with a short pass deep in Larissa territory.

The former Millwall man could have shot himself but opted to pass to James McFadden, but his scuffed effort was easily collected by visiting goalkeeper Kotsolis.

Joleon Lescott then accidentally clashed heads with Bakayoko moments later and found himself in the referee’s notebook on the half hour after a foul on Georgios Galitsios.

With McFadden left to plough a lone furrow in attack, Everton had little physical presence in attack but the twinkle-toed menace of Arteta and Cahill offered plenty attacking threat.

In the 39th minute a deep free-kick from Arteta was volleyed wide by Lescott at the far post.

A minute later, Cahill fired goalwards from 20 yards for a shot which Kotsolis turned away for a corner.

Everton needed just five minutes to extend their advantage thanks to Osman's brilliant effort.

The architect was Cahill, whose outstanding pass sent Baines clear down the left flank.

He whipped in a low cross which Pienaar flicked with his backheel into the path of Osman 20 yards of goal.

The midfielder needed no second invitation to slam the ball into the top corner from 22 yards and give Kotsolis no chance whatsoever.

But the Greeks continued to battle and with minutes remaining Everton paid for their over-confidence.

Lescott was dispossessed inside his own 18-yard box by Cleyton, who glided past the England defender and also saw off Joseph Yobo before striking a low shot past Tim Howard.

The Greeks, to their credit, continued to battle and with 25 minutes remaining they were rewarded.

Lescott was dispossessed inside his own 18-yard box by Cleyton.

The striker showed admirable pace to glide past the England defender before leaving Joseph Yobo for dead and striking a low shot past Tim Howard.

That set the tone for a period of sustained Larissa pressure but Anichebe eased home fears in the 85th minute with a superb run and shot from inside the visiting penalty area to seal an ultimately comfortable win.