Soccer News

Everton held by battling Sunderland in FA Cup quarter-final

By Ben James Mar 17, 2012, 16:11 GMT

London - Everton and Sunderland battled out a 1-1 draw in the first of the weekend's four FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

Phil Bardsley put Sunderland in front after 12 minutes at Goodison Park but Tim Cahill equalized 11 minutes later and the two sides eventually had to settle for a replay.

Everton had the better of the match in general and it took a stunning double save from Simon Mignolet from Johnny Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic to keep them out.

Royston Drenthe also hit the woodwork for Everton, leaving captain Phil Neville disappointed after 90 minutes.

'We had home advantage and we wanted to win,' Neville said. 'We didn't start the game well, but we came into it at the end.

'I'm disappointed we didn't play more a little bit. Maybe the occasion got to us a little bit early on and we didn't make the most of our chances.'

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill said he thought his side deserved to force a replay.

'It was a very difficult place for us to come,' he said. 'I thought we started off very well and got a great goal. Of course the equaliser knocked us back a bit and I think after it could have gone either way.

'The game is very much in the balance. We have home advantage but that doesn't mean anything, Everton are very, very strong.'

Later on Saturday, Tottenham Hotspur host Bolton Wanderers while on Sunday, Chelsea welcome Leicester to Stamford Bridge and Liverpool entertain Stoke City.

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