Cahill adds: “We’re past caring what people think of us. Others can feel what they like about what we do, but we’ve won and we’re there in the final.

“We’re on the verge of something here. We know it’s going to be a difficult game against good players, but this is exactly what you come into football for.”

Matters were threatening to transpire differently when Cahill ballooned Everton’s first penalty in the shoot-out over the crossbar.

The Australian had done exactly the same with his last penalty at club level when spurning the chance to complete a hat-trick playing for Millwall against West Ham United in 2004.

And though relieved it ultimately proved academic, Cahill is determined to atone for his mistake by netting the winner in the final next month.

“It feels amazing,” says the 29-year-old. “It’s always so disheartening when you miss a penalty but when you play with so many great players, you know they will get you out of it and I’m absolutely over the moon.

“It’s for the lads, the staff, the management, our supporters; you can see that we left everything out there for them and it is just a credit to this football club.

“We try so hard to achieve these goals.

“You look around the dressing room and you know there are players there who will pick up the pieces if a mistake is made. It’s crazy.

“I have been a long time at Everton and am someone who calls themselves a Blue.

“I’m very passionate about the club.

“I felt confident when I stepped up to take the penalty but sometime things go wrong. For a split second, I couldn’t hear anything or see anything. I could see the goal but everything around it went blank.

“Mentally I feel fine now but hopefully when it comes around to the cup final, I’ll score the winner and make up for it. But we are there.

“We’ve done it and I’m going to show how I can pick myself up.”

With the backing of those passionate supporters, Cahill and Everton must now believe anything is possible.