Everton 1 Millwall 0Everton have broken into new territory. Millwall, admirably resilient but eventually overcome, fall some way short of the calibre of Villarreal, Dinamo Bucharest or even Middlesbrough but, where David Moyes's side endured elimination from the Champions League, Uefa Cup and League Cup to those opponents at the first hurdle this term, the side languishing in 23rd place in the Championship proved more accommodating last night.
Progress beyond their first appearance in a cup competition was something for Everton to celebrate with gusto, even if the daunting prospect of a visit from Chelsea awaits in the fourth round. The champions will hardly be quaking given that this victory relied more on persistence than panache. Only 18 minutes remained when James Beattie wriggled free to the touchline to square for Tim Cahill, sliding in with Alan Dunne, to loop the hosts ahead against his former club.
Phil Neville, again from Beattie's centre, struck the post moments later just as his team-mate Kevin Kilbane had when the tie had been in the balance. Everton would have preferred to have secured simpler passage, but progress was all that mattered.
If Burton's trip to Old Trafford had caught the romantics' imagination, this was the tie of last night's replays always likelier to test Premiership survival instincts. The visitors had actually won their last two cup visits to these parts, an exhilarating 4-2 success under Mick McCarthy 11 years ago and an FA Cup fourth- round triumph in 1973.
Everton laboured here. Andy Marshall suffocated James Beattie's close-range attempt, with Matt Lawrence forcing Tim Cahill to steer Mikel Arteta's cross wide, though clear opportunities were infrequent. Instead, the lack of a predatory presence in the six-yard box to convert those centres fizzed into dangerous areas by Phil Neville and Tony Hibbert early on was another reminder of the striker Everton lack.
Marcus Bent has been sold to Charlton with Duncan Ferguson ill and absent. Blackburn's Paul Dickov, the latest to be linked, may prove unavailable at the fee demanded while Valeri Bozhinov, a young Bulgarian who might have been available on loan from Fiorentina, is expected to land at Bayern Munich instead. Indeed, Everton's negotiations with the Italian club are likely to extend no further than over Per Kroldrup's potential sale back to Serie A.
The Dane emerged from the bench after 33 minutes here to make his first Goodison Park appearance - his only other run-out was in the 4-0 drubbing at Aston Villa last month - since his £5 million move from Udinese last summer with David Weir retired with blood gushing from a head wound. His presence served to stiffen a rearguard which had shipped opportunities to Alan Dunne and Jody Morris, with the hosts tense and utterly unable to impose any quality.
What they lacked most was tempo to unsettle the visitors. They did at least offer bite after the restart, Osman twisting away from Zak Whitbread and centring for Cahill to nod goalwards, with Marshall pawing up and away. The Australian midfielder was trickier on the charge with Everton gleaning more joy marauding from deep as Millwall retreated further into defence.
Milwall's initial endeavour was becalmed as Everton flew at them. Yet the sight of Marshall spilling Osman's bobbling drive only for Kilbane to chip a simple rebound horribly over the bar prompted wailing frustration in the stands. The Irish international dragged a shot wide moments later before thumping Arteta's corner against the post, with each missed opportunity adding to the tension until Cahill squeezed his reward.
EVERTON: Martyn, Hibbert, Weir (Kroldrup 33), Ferrari, Nuno Valente, Osman, Arteta, Neville, Cahill, Kilbane (McFadden 86), Beattie. Subs not used: Wright, Naysmith, Anichebe. Goals: Cahill 72.
MILLWALL: Marshall, Robinson, Lawrence, Whitbread, Morris (Cogan 77), Dunne, Elliott, Livermore, Craig (Braniff 89), May, Williams. Subs not used: Healy, Pooley, Hendry. Booked: Robinson, Livermore.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
