Tim Cahill proved his fitness before the Socceroos' World Cup qualifier next week against Oman in Sydney by playing a full match for Everton in its controversial 2-0 loss to arch rivals Liverpool.
Cahill shook off a shin injury and made a lively start in the Merseyside derby before the striker was forced to drop back to a midfield position following team-mate Jack Rodwell's questionable 23rd minute send-off at Goodison Park.
Rodwell won the ball with a slide tackle on Luis Suarez but referee Martin Atkinson ensured he made the headlines by showing the youngster a red card.
Liverpool eventually wore down Everton in the unseasonably warm weather with second half goals to Andy Carroll and Suarez.
Cahill was still fuming over Rodwell's send-off post-match.
"Can't believe the run of bad luck we r having with big decisions," Cahill said on Twitter.
"It changed the game today."
Everton manager David Moyes has history with Atkinson - the fiery Scotsman was fined 8,000 pounds by the FA 12 months ago for confronting the official following a 3-3 home draw with Manchester United.
"I just thought the sending off ruined the game," Moyes said.
"You get lots of questions from people asking about derbies, tackles and sendings off but that wasn't even a bad tackle.
"I would have been disappointed had it been a free-kick and if he had got a yellow card I think people would have asked 'what's that for?'"
Cahill is set to fly out in the coming days for Friday night's friendly against Malaysia in Canberra and the October 11 World Cup qualifier against Oman in Sydney.
The Australian had looked dangerous in the early stages of Saturday's clash, climbing high to force Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina into a finger-tip save at the 10-minute mark.
However Rodwell's send-off forced Cahill to take on a more defensive role.
Meanwhile in the English Championship, Australia's number goalkeeper Adam Federici showed his quality by keeping compatriot Scott McDonald's Middlesbrough at bay in a 0-0 draw at Reading.
Federici produced a superb double save to deny McDonald and Marvin Emnes after both had appeared certain to score for the visiting side.
McDonald should have sealed the win for Middlesbrough with 20 minutes to go but fired wide of Federici's goal.
AAP
Tags: english-premier, english-lower, soccer, sport, england, australia First posted October 02, 2011 09:44:16
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