Everton v Sunderland was the FA Cup draw neither side wanted

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Both points sit equal on 33 points in the league- and on form it is difficult to predict a winner.

Everton and Sunderland would both been hoping for a kind draw which would almost guarantee them a semi-final spot and a trip to Wembley.

Sadly for supporters, in this years quarter-final draw, there are no gimmes.

Even Stevenage have earned their way into the pot, well-deserving of a draw and replay with Tottenham.

But both Everton and Sunderland would have been hoping to avoid each other.

Both are very much in-form, and each side have beaten Premier League leaders Manchester City since the turn of the year.

Sunderland followed that up with a win against Arsenal on Saturday evening, while Chelsea were another Champions League contender to fall to Everton the previous weekend.

In fact you could almost argue that both sides thrive on their plucky underdog status, and would both have fancied a home tie with Liverpool, rather than playing each other.

Both David Moyes and Martin O’Neill are regarded among the league’s best managers, and have been for many a year.

If either could add the FA Cup to their portfolio, their stature in the game would only increase further.

David Moyes of course has got close before, losing the 2009 FA Cup Final to Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea, while Martin O’Neill is a Carling Cup winner at the old Wembley with Leicester City.

While Evertonians may have rather avoided Sunderland, they can hardly argue with their home record against the Black Cats.

Sunderland fans have far more to fear, failing to win at Goodison Park since 1996, and have not beaten the Toffees in any competition since 2001.

Yet no Everton supporter will be getting complacent about their winning record.

With an FA Cup semi-final spot at stake, there will be no better time for Martin O’Neill’s side to break the hoodoo.

Both Manchester sides, Arsenal, and Newcastle, are already out the cup, and Chelsea face a tricky away tie to Birmingham.

This may be a winning year for one of these two sides, but they will have to earn it.

Full FA Cup draw:

Chelsea/Birmingham v Leicester

Everton v Sunderland

Liverpool v Stoke

Tottenham/Stevenage v Bolton

Who do you think will win the FA Cup?

image: © Ronnie Macdonald