Cahill, who has scored nine goals this season, wasted Everton's best chance of the game when he uncharacteristically headed Leighton Baines's cross wide from a tight angle at 1-0 down.

The Australian international now heads off to link up with the Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup and Everton boss David Moyes revealed his thoughts on his absence after the game.

"We've known that for as long as the calendar's been in place this season that we're going to lose Cahill," Moyes said.

"So he'll leave now but we're just thankful that we got him for a couple of games, the Australian manager has been great and left him with us for a few games so we're pleased about that."

Elsewhere, Mark Schwarzer took some good form into the Asian Cup with several good saves but it wasn't enough to prevent Fulham from losing 1-0 at Tottenham on Saturday.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes said after the game: "It (the Asian Cup) is in the international calendar so there's not a great deal we can do about it. Australia are well within their rights to ask Mark to come with them and he's obviously obligated to do that."

Meanwhile, Brett Emerton put in a full shift as Blackburn Rovers lost 3-0 at Sunderland on Saturday, while David Carney was an 83rd-minute substitute as Blackpool lost 1-0 at Manchester City.

Elsewhere, Chris Herd was an unused sub as Aston Villa clinched a dramatic 3-3 draw at Chelsea on Sunday, while Brad Jones was also left on the pine as Liverpool beat Bolton 2-1 on Saturday.

In England's Championship, Socceroo Neil Kilkenny came off the bench as a 56th-minute substitute and was involved in a dramatic late equaliser as Leeds drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough on Saturday.

For Boro, Scott McDonald started and played 78 minutes.

Elsewhere, Adam Federici played a full game as Reading lost 1-0 at promotion rivals Swansea City, while Trent McClenahan did not get a chance to press for an extended deal at Scunthorpe after he was an unused sub in their 3-0 loss at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

In England's League Two, Jamie Young put in a full shift as Aldershot won 2-1 at Barnet, while Shane Cansdell-Sherriff played a full game as Shrewsbury drew 0-0 at Burton Albion on Saturday.

In Portugal's League Cup, Jason Davidson was not in the Pacos Ferreira squad which won 3-2 at FC Arouca on Sunday.

In Japan's Emperor's Cup, Eddy Bosnar played a full game as Shimizu S-Pulse missed out on qualification for the 2011 AFC Champions League after a 2-1 loss to Kashima Antlers in the final on Saturday.