Tim Cahill puts one past mate Mark Schwarzer

TIM CAHILL compounded a miserable day for long-time Socceroos teammate Mark Schwarzer by poking a low volley past him as Everton crushed Fulham 4-0 in the English Premier League.

After coming on as a second half substitute for Darron Gibson, Cahill latched onto a scooped pass from Steven Pienaar in the 60th minute to round out an impressive Saturday afternoon for the hosts at Goodison Park.

Cahill celebrated his third goal of a testing season in customary fashion, pummelling the corner flag.

In his eighth season with Everton the 32-year-old Australian remains highly regarded by manager David Moyes but is no longer such a central figure.

He has played more in the midfield this campaign than in recent seasons, with striker Nikica Jelavic carrying the load up forward since his arrival in January.

The in-form Croatian scored a double against Fulham to improve his scoring record to nine goals in seven matches as Everton continued another late season surge.

With their clubs sitting comfortably in the top half of the table, Cahill and Schwarzer can almost afford to allow their minds to start drifting towards the off-season.

It is not so simple for compatriot Chris Herd at Aston Villa.

Villa’s 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion means his club remain just three points above the drop zone although with a better goal difference than the sides below them.

Dutch-based Brett Holman, who has signed on to play with Aston Villa next season, will no doubt be keeping an eye on their progress.

The Birmingham club host Tottenham before their final match of the season at Norwich.

Meanwhile Socceroos defender Rhys Williams may have played his last match for English Championship club Middlesbrough after they missed out on the promotion playoffs.

They lost 2-1 at Watford on the final day and were unable to catch sixth-placed Cardiff City.

Williams was subject to a STG6 million ($A9.41 million) bid from EPL side Bolton during the January transfer window.

With Bolton in the thick of a relegation dogfight this season, the 23-year-old opted not to push for a change of club.

Meanwhile in Germany, Mitchell Langerak enjoyed a rare outing for Borussia Dortmund after the club wrapped up their second straight Bundesliga title this month.

They won 5-2 at relegated Kaiserslautern.

Forgotten Socceroo Nikita Rukavytsya’s club Hertha Berlin is in serious danger of slipping straight back into the German second division following a 4-0 loss at Schalke.

To earn a playoff spot for next season’s Bundesliga, they must win their final match and hope that Cologne don’t collect maximum points.

Cologne host heavyweights Bayern Munich in the final round while Hertha Berlin take on mid-table TSG Hoffenheim in the capital. – AAP