TIM CAHILL IS ONE OF THOSE SELECT few who own a Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the fastest and most expensive production car in the world, which is fitting because the Everton midfield player is turning into a rare commodity. Not all of David Moyes’s signings at Everton have come off but Cahill remains arguably the best piece of business done by a manager in the Premiership since the turn of the Millennium.

A finely taken header against Newcastle United at St James’ Park yesterday helped to maintain Everton’s unbeaten start to the season and took Cahill’s goal tally to four in six matches, and 24 in 84 appearances since his £1.5 million move from Millwall in July 2004.

Goalscoring midfield players are at a premium, but Moyes believes that he has one with few equals in Cahill, who is flourishing playing in a more advanced midfield role behind Andrew Johnson. “He is one of the best at getting into the box,” the Everton manager said. “He can play in the middle of the park, in between the striker and the midfield or right up top.

“I think he is as good as anyone in the business at getting in the box and on the end of balls. He is robust and wholehearted and does a good job for us.”

Cahill has carried over his form for Australia during the World Cup finals in Germany into this season and has been the main reason, along with Johnson, why Everton are proving such stern opposition. Against Newcastle, Cahill was characteristically full of cunning and running and when Mikel Arteta floated in a cross to the back post in the 41st minute, Titus Bramble and Craig Moore should have known better than to allow Cahill to steal in unmarked and nod home.

“It’s just good to get on the end of those chances,” Cahill said, but it is difficult to downplay his importance to a team growing with confidence with every week that passes.

Johnson, in particular, appears to be taking great delight from having Cahill’s marauding presence behind him. The England striker was twice sent clear by the Australian early in the second half and, given time and fine tuning, the partnership promises to serve Everton well.

He may own a Bugatti, but Cahill is rapidly becoming a Rolls-Royce of a player.