Cahill settles thriller

Cahill had missed the start of the season with a broken metatarsal that blighted him for much of the last campaign. But he marked his surprise inclusion by striking the decisive blow, heading home Mikel Arteta's corner in the 76th minute.

Everton looked like they would cruise to victory when goals either side of half-time from Yakubu and Victor Anichebe put them firmly in the driving seat. But Stoke fought back and restored parity through Seyi Olofinjana and Phil Jagielka's own goal.

Yakubu put Everton ahead with the Merseysiders' first shot on target of the first half.

A pass by Arteta to Cahill created confusion inside the Stoke penalty area. Cahill laid the ball into Yakubu's path and he coolly steered it into the bottom corner.

Five minutes into the second half Everton doubled their advantage through Anichebe. Arteta won a free-kick 25 yards out on the right of the area and curled the ball with his right foot into the box where Anichebe's glancing header to the far post beat Thomas Sorensen.

But Everton's two-goal lead lasted just three minutes before it was halved by Olofinjana. Rory Delap's long throw was punched downwards by Tim Howard and the ball deflected into the path of Olofinjana, who volleyed powerfully past the goalkeeper from just beyond the penalty spot.

Stoke were level in the 62nd minute when another throw launched into the box by Delap flicked off the head of Jagielka at the near post and beyond Howard.

And when Cahill's run to the near post was not tracked by the Stoke defence he headed home the winning goal.