FA Cup joy for Sunderland would be Euro nightmare for Newcastle It goes without saying that Newcastle United supporters would prefer Sunderland not to progress in the FA Cup this evening. Traditional rivalry, and Football Law, dictates that cup demises and relegation are to be wished upon your rivals at the start of every season, and of course Tyne and Wear sides are no different. But this year, indeed tonight, there is far more at stake. Europe is on the line. Up for the cup: Sunderland will have a trip to Wembley to look forward to if they beat Everton at the Stadium of Light There are several permutations involving league places, cup winners and even bookings (Swansea are due to qualify via the fair play criteria) which will decide who will represent the Barclays Premier League in Europe next season. Top four of course go into the Champions League. Although even that gets a little extra-complicated if Chelsea win this year’s competition and finish fifth as England would still only be permitted four entrants. It means Arsenal or Spurs could finish fourth and still not qualify for UEFA’s big one. So it would be the little brother for them, joining League Cup winners Liverpool who may be having their league difficulties – which Newcastle will hope to exacerbate on Sunday - but Kenny Dalglish’s side, who await the winner of tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final replay at the Stadium of Light, have already got their Europa League place. A place is reserved for the FA Cup winners too (or in Sunderland’s case the finalists). And here’s where it might get very interesting... Newcastle could go 11 points clear of Liverpool if they beat them at home this weekend. A victory over their former manager Dalglish would surely just about guarantee sixth place at least for Newcastle and their supporters who became rather familiar with European competition under their previous managers, including Dalglish. On target: Newcastle have a European finish in their sights this season Although the current boss Alan Pardew may have written off his team’s Champions League credentials at the weekend, they are looking a very good bet for the Europa League. Or are they? Sunderland may be 10 points behind their local rivals, but they could pip them to the final place. Now Sunderland only have the small matter of victories over the two Merseyside teams to overcome to clinch a place against Chelsea or Tottenham for the May 5 final (same date as their last triumph in 1973 coincidentally). But if they do reach the FA Cup Final, they will return to Europe for the first time since Bobby Kerr lifted the trophy too. And that means it is Newcastle who could miss out. As Sunderland have never managed to win against Everton with David Moyes in charge, and in fact have to go back to the Peter Reid era for their last victory over them, they are hardly guaranteed progress to the semi-finals just because they have managed to bring the tie back to Wearside. O’Neill was being ultra-cautious when he met the media yesterday and he knows that the incentive of a Mersey derby at Wembley, with all that’s at stake, and all the history and memories that will evoke, will be a major motivational force for Moyes and his player tonight. The 6,000 travelling Blues fans will also add to a cracking atmosphere. Future's bright: Alan Pardew has assembled an exciting team 'I’m sure I don’t need to remind the supporters that Everton will be tough,' said the Sunderland boss. 'Our record isn’t great against them and we have to take that into consideration. We’ve just got to go for it and try to win the match. We might get beaten, but we’ll certainly go for it.' Lee Cattermole is certain to return for the home side, which will be harsh on David Vaughan, Jack Colback or Craig Gardner, who one would expect to step down for the captain who is available after his four-match ban. John O’Shea and Kieran Richardson are definitely out but Phil Bardsley and Seb Larsson come back into contention. With more than 43,000 anticipated, and so much at stake for both clubs, it is geared up to be a fascinating contest and electrifying night. O’Neill is certainly looking forward to it. 'I think there’s something pretty special about it when you get to this stage of the competition,’ he said. On the spot: O'Neill has had his side practising penalties in case their quarter-final replay against Everton goes the distance 'You can try and say it’s just another game, but I’m not so sure it is. It’s pretty special. 'I think you can get caught up in the atmosphere, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. We want to try and get through, the fans have been excited about it. 'If you had said to me back in December you’ll have 40 points at the end of the season I would have gladly taken it, so to have 40 points in March and to have a chance of reaching the semi-final of the FA Cup, is wonderful
It's true I do not want you to reach the final but at the end of the day if Everton reach the final the end result would be the same. At the end of the day the result tonight doesn't matter, it's the result vs Liverpool at Wembley that I'll be interested in.
i have, so you will be cheering us on tonight, north east club and all that, but not against the bin dippers correct.
My point is that this result tonight doesn't mean anything to me. I'll be cheering for Liverpool in the Semi final, as that's the result that really matters for our push for Europe. If Liverpool get to the final, then 6th place will be enough to get us through. Even if you get to the final, if you hadn't noticed, we are joint 5th in the table, and Chelsea are looking less than convincing. I'm fully convinced that we could finish above them this season in 5th place which would mean Europa League no matter what.
It will all end in tears for you, now you know it makes sense listen to your uncle Roge and save yersell some grief
lol we will see. I'm sure if you do get to the final and get into Europe you'll be ****ing furiously and claiming you've had the better season and you're still NE's best club and all that ****e. I'm just happy with with how high we've finished. We attracted a lot of brilliant players when finishing 12th in the table and lower, so I'm excited to think about the players we could attract this summer and what we could achieve next season. We'll just have to see what happens
But Tash we have had the better season since Bruce left, forget Bruce and compare from MON start Vs Pardew we are much better, and if he had been here at the start we would be already in all cups and CL he he he he he he he he
hey tash are you a rep whore like your compatriots, is so give me some instead of taking it away like the backstabbers you don't like on your board do with me. it will be reciprocated.
lmao. Kyrgiakos plays for sunderland, wtf? when did that happen? Jelavic is a great player btw. Can't believe you think you can win this. Everton has beaten you every year 2 times for the last 4 years haven't they?
give ower man, dont know about travelsick, but your making me feel sick hearing that, are you trying to be a Jona for us ...ha ha
