Tim Cahill is hoping history repeats itself after describing Monday's 2-0 victory over Manchester City as Everton's 'best performance of the season'.

The victory at the City of Manchester Stadium allowed the Toffees to reclaim fourth spot in the Premier League and open a three-point margin over Merseyside rivals Liverpool as the race for a place in next season's UEFA Champions League gathers pace.

In 2005 Everton beat Liverpool to fourth place and Cahill, who set up Yakubu Aiyegbeni for Everton's opener against City, sees similarities between that season and the current campaign and admits he is 'desperate' for Champions League football.

"The similarities between now and then are that we have a team full of players who want to play for this football club and who will do everything they can to get into the team," Cahill told the Liverpool Echo.

"Personally, I think this performance was up there with the very best we've had this season.

"We were under a lot of pressure beforehand, but we got on with it and played. The back four were absolutely tremendous.

"We aren't thinking about what anyone else is doing. Liverpool had a great result (3-2 against Middlesbrough on Saturday), but we have had one ourselves now and we are absolutely desperate to get that fourth place."