The 30-year-old midfielder scored two headed goals for Everton in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

It was a pleasing return to the scoresheet for Cahill who had only scored once for the Toffees since January.

And Cahill contributes that return to form to plenty of hard work getting himself as fit as possible.

"I have tried to keep myself in peak condition and be the fittest player on the park so I can reflect that in my game," Cahill told evertontv.

"I work hard in training to make sure teams can't hold me and I look for space."

He added: "It is always pleasing to get goals. This season I have felt happy with what I have tried to do for the team so getting goals is the icing on the cake.

"At Villa I was clinical and I am pleased with my performance."

Cahill's teammate, American goalkeeper Tim Howard, also offered praise to the Australian for his contribution.

"He's a warrior, he's great to have on your team," Howard told evertontv.

"With him you get excited because you know he's going to compete and he's going to scrap. He's hard to play against and great to play with.

"He's great in front of goal. He gets his head on things; he's always around the box and got a nose for goal. He's greedy in that sense in a good way, and I'm just glad he got the two goals."