Putting the focus on their own performance in the Merseyside FA Cup semi-final could be the key to success
David Moyes's embargo lifted at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night and Everton could finally discuss their appointment with Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. But Tim Cahill preferred not to. "Let's not worry about tomorrow. Let's just focus on this feeling. It is an amazing feeling." Born in Australia, spoken like a man raised on the Gwladys Street.
Everton produced the finest display of their season to sweep aside Sunderland in the sixth-round replay and to confirm a first Merseyside derby at the national stadium for 23 years. The intensity from a Moyes team did not surprise, nor should the quality in a side containing in defence the astute John Heitinga (who Everton wish to tie to a new long-term contract), the polished Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman in midfield and, in Nikica Jelavic, the goalscoring threat Everton have craved since Yakubu Ayegbeni ruptured his achilles tendon at Tottenham Hotspur in November 2008. What stunned a delirious, impassioned 6,000-plus travelling support, however, was its timing.
Rarely in recent years, with the prize within reach, have Everton delivered to a man and enabled their support to savour such an important victory with a cigar rather than on the rack. They will need a repeat of the composure, the adventure and the tactics that shattered Martin O'Neill's team to overcome another facet of their DNA on 14 April.
All Merseyside derbies matter, as Moyes can testify following the criticism he received for making six changes for the recent 3-0 defeat at Anfield with the home quarter-final against Sunderland in mind. But some matter more than others. Liverpool win them. The 1971 FA Cup semi-final, when defeat hastened the rapid demise of Harry Catterick's champions; the 1977 FA Cup semi-final replay, which still invites Evertonians of a certain vintage to bore people to tears about the referee, Clive Thomas; the 1984 Milk Cup final replay and the 1986 and 1989 FA Cup finals gave only one half of Merseyside cause for celebration. Good luck finding a blue to redress the balance with tales of their success in the 1906 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park.
Everton's poor record in the showpiece derby predates Moyes and the financial gulf that the Premier League has helped accelerate between the clubs. In their defence, it is worth noting that in 1977, 1984 and 1986 Everton faced a Liverpool team that finished the season as European champions, league champions or both. But not any more, although it has been levelled at Moyes that he views Liverpool in such reverential terms when crossing Stanley Park.
The Everton manager admitted recently that Liverpool have proven the toughest opponent of his 10 years in charge at Goodison Park and labelled Kenny Dalglish's team favourites for the semi-final in the immediate aftermath of the Sunderland win. His argument has merit after two defeats in two league meetings this season and given the global appeal that saved Liverpool from the near-ruination of the Tom Hicks and George Gillett era and, under Fenway Sports Group, has allowed Dalglish to spend £113m on new players since January 2011 compared to £5.5m at Everton in the same period. We shall leave the skewed net spend argument – which again favours Moyes – for another time, or to Rafael Benítez on Football Focus when he should have been congratulating the Everton manager on a decade in the job.
Too often, though, the financial disparity between Everton and Liverpool has been presented by Moyes before a derby has kicked off. It may be legitimate, it may be fact, but it is not always conducive to galvanising the underdog. Tactically, at least at Anfield, where the Everton manager has not won in 11 visits, there has also been too much respect shown to Liverpool's strengths when, as his own team confirmed on Wearside and Roberto Martínez illustrated with Wigan Athletic on Saturday, it is better to concentrate on one's own.
"This performance is up there with the best of them because of what it means to the fans, the players and the club and where we want to take it," said Cahill. "At the start of the season, the reports were indifferent and there were a lot of people down about the club. But we've had such a turnaround and, as I've said time and time again, the players love Everton and that's what has made a difference.
"I have enjoyed some great experiences with this club and this is up there at the best. In my career I will be looking back to nights like this, because this changes the season. We have to keep our feet firmly on the floor and don't get carried away. Yes, the semi-final and final are at Wembley, but the carrot [the FA Cup] is there itself. Liverpool is a massive game, but when you look ahead of the next game then you start making mistakes. We are too experienced to start worrying what Liverpool are doing. They are a great team and have spent a lot of money and have a good manager. But this is all about us."