The Australia international midfielder put months of frustration behind him at the Britannia Stadium, heading home Mikel Arteta's corner at the near post in the 76th minute.

Having been sidelined with a broken metatarsal since March, the 28-year-old was a surprise inclusion in David Moyes' starting line-up.

But it proved to be a masterstroke on Moyes' part, and Cahill was pleased to repay his manager's faith.

Now he hopes to help Everton get this season's European campaign off to a flying start when Belgian club Standard Liege visit Goodison Park on Thursday.

"I am delighted but really I am just glad to be a part of the squad again," said Cahill.

"It was a surprise to start, but if the manager is going to ask me if I am up for starting then there is no way that I am going to say no.

"I didn't expect to play. All I did was keep myself fit and work really hard in training. I wanted to give the manager the option of being able to play me if I was needed.

"I am fortunate that the manager has that belief in me. Then it was down to me to take the opportunity on the pitch.

"I felt like one of the new lads as I had not played in such a long time."

Cahill added: "Now we are looking forward to another European adventure. Standard Liege are a very good team but we are doing our homework on them and hopefully we can get the campaign off to a good start."