BLUES BACK CAHILL AFTER GOAL CELEBRATION

Everton have defended Tim Cahill's controversial goal celebration
By Daniel Gregory 03/03/08

Everton have moved quickly to defend Tim Cahill after the Aussie midfielder was widely criticised for his goal celebration against Portsmouth yesterday.

Cahill crossed his wrists to symbolise being put in handcuffs, after his older brother Sean was jailed for six years after an assault which left his victim partially blind.

“It was very emotional for me. My family means a lot to me but so does this club.”

Although the family of the victim may be slightly offended by the gesture, I see no reason why Cahill should be criticised by anyone else for what was quite simply a show of support for a family member.

Cahill said: “It was for my older brother, everyone knows my situation. I just wanted to get a message to him.

“It was very emotional for me. My family means a lot to me but so does this club.”

The Aussie midfield ace made a timely return to form in the crucial 3-1 win over Pompey, scoring the second to put the toffees back in the lead at a crucial point in the game. Cahill's form has been crticised in some quarters of Goodison recently, but the former Millwall man put an end to any worries with a solid performance and a crucial goal, typically starting the move in his own half, before arriving late in the box with a strong header that left England number One David James with no chance.