Everton get West Ham or Man Utd in the last four

, 14 March, 171comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton have been paired with the winners of the replay between Manchester United and West Ham United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup following this evening's draw.

The date of the replay between the Hammers and the Red Devils has yet to be confirmed and will not be scheduled until after the latter's Europa League second leg tie against Liverpool on Thursday.

The semi-final ties will be played at Wembley Stadium on 23rd and 24th April. Everton, drawn third out of the "hat" will be designated as the home team in their tie.

 

Reader Comments (171)

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Oliver Molloy
1 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:26:33
It's Man Utd or West Ham Utd then.
Bobby Angwin
2 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:27:02
Bollocks!
Brin Williams
3 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:27:10
Great draw!! COYB
Gerry Quinn
4 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:27:13
Everton v West Ham Utd or Man Utd it is!
Jackie Barry
5 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:27:31
Doesn’t matter – we have to beat either of these at some point.
Christopher Marston
6 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:27:42
Why oh why do we never get the most winnable games in the semis or finals?!!! We always get the biggest teams left in the draw.
Garry Corgan
7 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:27:48
Sods law. The worst of the three ties we could have had... still winnable though.
John Atkins
8 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:28:20
Winners of our game win the cup, I reckon.
Gerry Quinn
9 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:28:22
Typical – we avoid the two "not quite as good" teams...
Carl Peters
10 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:28:23
West Ham will do... Revenge.

If we can emulate the game against Chelsea, we needn’t fear any of them.

Rob Halligan
11 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:28:32
Why bollocks? We will do either of them. Easy game for the final.
Helen Mallon
12 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:28:42
COYB
Chris Regan
13 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:29:09
Knew we’d not get an easy draw, don’t fancy West Ham at the moment. Especially as they slotted us the other week.
Jackie Barry
14 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:29:18
Some people don’t think we can beat either of these? They have probably said the same about facing us.
Mike Powell
15 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:29:25
Hope it's Man Utd. We have a terrible record against West Ham in the cup.
John Atkins
16 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:29:35
Typical Everton would have lost to Watford or Palace !

We owe West Ham, can't see the Mancs getting through they are an awful team

Brin Williams
17 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:30:06
The BLUE BALLS were an omen ....
Jamie Tulacz
18 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:30:30
Everton-Watford final, bring on 1984!!!
Jackie Barry
19 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:30:46
West Ham are not unbeatable, the only one we need to focus on is Payet, the bloody cheat.
Neil Gribbin
20 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:31:00
I'm not scared of any of them to be honest. Forza Everton!
Joe McMahon
21 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:31:15
Bollox, I don't fancy West Ham.
Ste Traverse
22 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:31:26
West Ham or Man Utd is the draw I'd rather have avoided. But we've a cracking record against the cockneys over the years and nearly beat them with 10 men recently, and our record against the Mancs in recent seasons is very good.

Both are beatable but I'd rather have got either of the other sides.

Jackie Barry
23 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:31:46
I think the Mancs might just beat Ham.
John Atkins
24 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:31:50
I’m going for an Everton v Palace final.
Pete Ellingham
25 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:32:32
Agree Jamie, 1984 final!!! Bring it on!!
Colin Glassar
26 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:32:48
We gifted Man Utd the game at Goodison and we played West Ham Utd off the pitch, with 10 men, for over an hour. Neither of these two teams worry me; Watford and their manager worry me more.

I have a feeling that this cup is ours.

John Atkins
27 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:33:38
I would rather have the harder game in the semi-final. Although I don’t want to lose a semi-final, I really don’t want to lose a final

The final will be easier to win now.

Ian Price
28 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:34:10
So the Everton v Watford final is still on the cards. Remember the last time we met Watford in the cup final... a glorious spell followed, be great to bring them days back.
Brent Stephens
29 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:34:24
Man Utd are not what they were. And for all but 90 minutes we "did" WHU with only 10 men (until you know who stuck his oar in).
Charlie Fath
30 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:34:50
I think West Ham Utd and Man Utd will be more disappointed than us; we are the best team left in it. Bring it on.
Andy Crooks
31 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:35:07
Brilliant draw. We are better than both. I reckon there was more to slip up against about the other two. We are better than West Ham Utd, much better. How we lost to them has been done to death, but it won’t happen again.

Also, this is the worst Man Utd team since Frank O’Farrell, God rest him. We have got the best of the draw.

Jim Bennings
32 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:35:19
Man Utd or West Ham are hardly unbeatable and the way I see it is if we win that semi-final, Palace or Watford waiting in the Final (no disrespect to either) but we’ll never get a better chance.

Just got to make sure our performance levels stay high in tempo and intensity from now on, no falling back into old habits.

Tony Twist
33 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:35:27
Not disappointed with this at all. It would have been embarrassing after all the celebrations if we then lost to Crystal Palace or Watford in the semi-final. It would be great if it’s Watford in the final and the same result as 1984 and the start of great times as it was then.
Denis Richardson
34 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:35:45
Well, with the exception of Chelsea we’ve had it pretty easy so far in the cup so can’t really moan about the semi-final draw. It’s not as if we’d be nailed on to beat either Watford or Palace anyway.

Can’t expect an easy game in a cup semi-final... looking forward to it.

Brent Stephens
35 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:35:53
Anybody likely to have a spare ticket? Grovelling please.
Shaun Traynor
36 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:35:59
Put them together and they'd still get it! This is our cup and nothing is stopping us. COYB
Jackie Barry
37 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:36:13
Either of these games would be hard. Do you think Crystal Palace or Watford won't put in the game of their lives to make it to, or win, the final.
John Atkins
38 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:36:26
Couldn’t agree more, Andy and Jim.
Simon Bradley
39 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:36:36
Man United – very beatable. Play like we did against Chelsea and we will be in the final.

West Ham? We were beating them, easily with 10 men up until the 78th minute. No need to fear them.

Leighton Cooper
40 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:37:34
Man Utd will have a lot of returning players back from injury by the time the semi-final arrives.
Gavin Alexander
41 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:37:53
Gutted really but surely that means we will get that Saturday game rather than Sunday. Well if common sense prevails...
Paul Mackie
42 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:38:15
Shackle Payet, keep Mirallas on the fucking bench and we can hammer (pun intended) West Ham, no doubt about it.
Graham Mockford
43 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:38:34
Just got to turn up on the day, we are still the best team left in the competition.
Mike Hughes
44 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:38:39
Paddy Power have us as favourites.
EFC 12/5
Man U 7/2
Palace and Watford 4/1
WHU 9/2

(I'm sure a few Hammers fans will be having a bet on that.)

Confident we are capable of beating any of these.
My only doubt ...... our erratic form under this manager with the possibility of us beating ourselves.

Paul Gallagher
45 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:39:18
Maybe Clattenburg or Atkinson might referee our Semi-Final?
Harold Matthews
46 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:39:58
The way we performed the other day, I wouldn't be scared of anyone.
Paul Kossoff
47 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:40:34
It’s anyone’s cup this year and we can beat anyone that we play.
If RM puts the right team and tactics out, and we get a little bit of luck, the cups ours.
Keith Conchie
48 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:41:31
If we turn up on the day, and play to our best I fancy us against either of these two teams.

We've just beat Chelsea, and at the quarter finals stage the only team in didn't want us to end up facing was Arsenal. Luckily they went out to Watford.

I'd sooner face the better teams in the semi's. Get past them, and it sets up a more winnable final.

COYB

Christopher Marston
49 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:41:43
God I would love to go!
Phil Williams
50 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:41:59
Just seen a West Ham tweet saying "Fuckin Everton for fucks sake".

They’re scared of us already! I think it will be West Ham and revenge will be sweet.

Mike McLoughlin
51 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:42:38
Everton 11/4 favourites for the FA Cup.
Christopher Marston
52 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:43:03
I can see us spanking Man Utd in the semi-final only to balls it up in the final to Watford. Sorry about using 'spanking', 'semi' and 'balls'.
Gavin Johnson
53 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:43:09
United are very beatable and ordinarily we are West Ham's bogey side. We should have beaten them with 10 men.

I hope Watford beat Palace. I like the idea of a re-run of the 84 final. It seems like providence that we could potentially play the side who we beat to kick-start the last great period in our history.

Anthony Burke
54 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:44:14
My initial thought was why do we always get the toughest draw but then I think we are the best team left in it.

COYB – nothing to fear!!
Eugene Ruane
55 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:44:53
Nap we'd get that draw.

However after an initial 'tut!' I just thought the way this season has gone, we've no less chance against WHU or United than we'd have against Watford or Palace.

Our lack of anything approaching consistency this season means 'on the day' we could welly, or get wellied by, any of those sides.

Personally I'd hope for Man Utd as they look particularly clueless and mentally fragile at the moment (how they got a replay yesterday, I don't know).

My guess is we'll be playing West Ham.

Everton for the cup!

John Atkins
56 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:45:07
Gavin, sorry I'm hoping it’s Sunday for selfish personal reasons! I’ll struggle to make the game on the Saturday but Sunday I’m fine!
Si Turner
57 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:45:29
Made up! Let's get the strongest team(s) out the way and beat Watford in the final again!
Paul Gallagher
58 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:45:46
If we only had a proper manager, I'd say it's ours to lose. I have that sinking feeling RM will mess this up for us in the Final.
Darren Hind
60 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:48:13
Hope we get the Saturday fixture.
Jay Wood
61 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:49:37
Bring it on!

The ’harder’ draw will focus minds and bodies to get the job done.

An Everton - Watford final has a nice symmetry to it.

If it comes to pass, let’s hope it proves the launching pad as the previous final between the 2 teams did.

Ged Simpson
62 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:50:35
Paul G... the likes of you and your misery have made Goodison quiet and our hopes too scary. Now man up...go for it. Have hope and be big just in case we fail. Which we won’t!
Jamie Sweet
63 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:50:35
I don't see this as a bad draw at all. In fact, there are only three teams I would fear playing in a Semi-Final, and none of them are in the competition.

Drawing Man Utd now isn't like drawing them in 2009. Now THAT was a tough draw.

We showed that even with 10 men, we are more than a match for West Ham.

Plus these two will probably still be chasing a Champions League spot pretty hard, so they won't have the luxury of being able to rest players in the inevitable mid-week fixtures before the Semi's (once the re-arranged fixtures have been confirmed).

Meanwhile, our recent record against Palace isn't exactly great, Watford are a decent outfit under Flores, and neither have much else to play for this season.

I can't bloody wait me!

Phil Walling
64 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:51:35
Mike, I just tried to strike a bet at 11/4 via Oddschecker only to get put 'in the waiting room.' Revision of odds will be downwards for sure.

Everton are about to be taken seriously!

Ged Simpson
65 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:52:03
Go, Jay lad!!!
John Atkins
66 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:53:15
Everton 5/2 favourites on some sites.
Paul Tran
67 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:54:07
All five sides will rightly think they have a chance. My West Ham mate has just texted ’fuck me’, so he clearly doesn’t read ToffeeWeb!

At our best, we’ll win the cup. Will we be our best for two games?

Steve Pugh
68 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:54:44
Can anyone explain why the highest club in the league, at home in their replay are the lowest favoured team left in the competition?

Do the bookies know something about the replay that we don't?

Christy Ring
69 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:55:00
I can’t see Man Utd winning at Upton Park. I'm looking forward to McCarthy kicking Payet into Gold and Sullivan’s lap, the biggest fucking whingeing club in the Premier League.
Darren Hind
70 Posted 14/03/2016 at 19:59:43
Anyone heard any news on which game will be played on Saturday?
Tom R Owen
71 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:00:27
A semi-final at Wenbley is a perfect stage for Mo to shackle Payet.
James Marshall
72 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:02:33
I assume we’ll be the Sunday game as we were drawn as the second game – I could be wrong but it seems likely.
Ged Simpson
73 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:02:36
Man Utd will do West Ham. Then a proper semi-final... Cleverly winner.

Then just lucky cockney shit in final. Barry winner.

St Georges’s Hall, here we come!

Darren Hind
74 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:04:51
Steve Pugh.

It's all about the likelihood of getting to the final in the first place.

Palace, Watford and us only have to win one game. The bookies won't risk giving decent odds about Man Utd.

Mark Rimmer
75 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:06:13
Given time to reflect it’s I’d sooner play one of these two now instead of in the final. Get through this, and I’d be much more confident for a win in the final.

I hope it’s West Ham as I’m still not convinced they are anything more than just an ale house team under decent management. We were better than then with 10 men, and it was only when lost our best player and went down to nine (that’s how it felt) that they were able to take advantage.

Yes they will be up for it, but they’ve also got an eye on a top four finish so it’s not a make or break game for them. Palace in the final as well if possible.

Jon Cox
76 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:07:07
Paul 40,

"Shackle Payet, keep Mirallas on the fucking bench and we can hammer (pun intended) West Ham, no doubt about it."

Nah.....

Shackle Payet, give Mirallas license to roam all over the pitch with the proviso that he stays cool, and we will deffo end up at Webels for a second time.

If I was RM, I would say to Mirallas "Go for it. I’m not arsed what you do – just don't get a yellow or you’re off."

As for Rom, "It’s a hat-trick or we’ll think about selling you.... To Mansfield Town!" :-)

Darren Hind
77 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:08:31
Just heard the bizzies have the call on who plays Saturday or Sunday and they may not make a decision for a couple of days... sound plausible?
Jay Wood
78 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:10:13
Jaysus... imagine the turn out on the streets of the city should we win the thing!

The players will never have seen the like of it and would be unlikely to see it equalled, wherever any of them might move onto or whatever pot they may win.

Jim Potter
79 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:10:24
Ah well ... we'll have to be satisfied with beating the lesser side in the final.
James Marshall
80 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:10:44
Potentially two London clubs, Watford and us I don’t see what difference it makes to the Old Bill?
Anthony Lewis
81 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:17:28
I really don't want to hope. It's "Everton that", that we no doubt we have the best chance to win something for far too long only for us to get all excited and believe only for us to lose.

But by God, my hope synapses are firing like feck...

Graham Mockford
82 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:20:29
Darren,

I think it’s the call of the TV companies and who has first pick, BT or the BBC. I suspect our tie would be the one both TV companies would want.

The police can only object but I don’t think they could decide, a bit like when they tried to get the Saturday evening derby game moved last year but to no avail.

I’m more worried the Premier League are going to rearrange the Derby game to the week before the semi-final.

Grant Rorrison
83 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:21:00
1933: Beat West Ham Utd in the semis and won the cup.

1966: Beat Man Utd in the semis and won the cup.

Watford trying to reach the final for the first time since 1984... when we beat them.

Palace playing in their first semi since 1995.... the last time we won the cup.

Raymond Fox
84 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:21:39
Steve, it's because they have still to beat Man Utd before they are in the Semi-Final. Us along with Watford, Palace are already in the Semis.

The betting will change again when the Man Utd and West Ham tie has been decided.

Martin Mason
85 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:21:47
If we are good enough on the day, we will beat anybody and have a great day too. Don’t have any worry though because we can’t influence anything except by being great supporters for the team.

We had no chance of beating Man Utd in 2009, they were a good side then, they’re crap now and we have the drop on West Ham. They’re taking a knife to a gunfight.

We can beat anybody if RM gets it right, we have a great squad and we have the monster that nobody can manage when we play right.

Eddie Dunn
86 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:23:06
If we had drawn Palace or Watford, I fear we would have been turned over, due to their direct style and our own complacency.

Man Utd or West Ham will concentrate the minds of all of our combatants, and, as I think the Cockneys will get through, it will be nice to get revenge for that reverse, and see that arse Noble crying into his shirt.

Darryl Ritchie
87 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:25:22
I'm not to worried about the draw. We would probably have to face one or the other sooner or later. But I truly believe they ARE worried about us!
Brian Abbott
88 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:26:10
Don’t really think it mattered who we got. Anyone can beat anyone in the Premier League this year. If we replicate the performance we produced against Chelsea we can beat any of the teams left in the cup.

Would love to see a Watford final and poor Reg Dwight in tears again. The dawn of a new era or what!!

COYB!!!

James Marshall
89 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:26:24
I hope I can get a ticket for the Charity Shield against Leicester.
Darren Hind
90 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:27:04
Yep. That sounds more plausible, Mockers.
Ian Burns
91 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:27:28
I am so confident, I didn’t watch the draw – if we apply ourselves as we did against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Watford will be the ones breathing a sigh of relief tonight.

West Ham and Man Utd will be thinking, blow, if we win this we will have to get past Everton, which they won’t.

What date is the final again?

Dave Williams
92 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:28:19
I didn’t care who it was.

Forget omens, history, scores this season – this is a one-off game on a huge pitch which is made for Ross, Rom, Aaron and Geri who will all have more space than usual.

None of the other four are deadbeats and on their day they will give anyone a game but we have a few players who could really rise to the occasion.

In 2012 I feared Suarez and Gerrard. In 2009, Man Utd did us a favour by fielding a much weakened team but this year I fear no-one. On our day, we will comfortably beat any of this lot so it is down to us and not them.

They will certainly not be happy to have drawn us. Our big game was Chelsea – there is no team remaining to fear... we just need to field the right team with the right mentality.

Brent Stephens
93 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:28:33
Off topic but Newcastle 1-0 down to Leicester and Leicester fans chanting "sacked in the morning" to Rafa!
Jeremy Robbins
94 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:30:23
Does anyone know if the date has been confirmed as Sunday 24th... would love it if it was the Saturday... BBC website has it as the Sunday.
Raymond Fox
95 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:33:20
I would sooner have met either Palace or Watford next, but it is what it is.

We are in with a good shout no doubt, we need two of our best performances, but don’t get carried away – it's football... anything can happen yet.

Jon Cox
96 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:37:22
Darren, deffo mate. They have to take time, as in what's the worst we can do for THEIR team.

What you can rely on of course is that at Wembley, our mikes, on our supporters will be at least 20 decibels lower than than theirs.

I know I’m a sad git but I do attention to detail. And believe me If you were blind and you listened to the quarters you would never have known we were at Goodison.

Mark Daley
97 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:37:31
Tickets - details yet?
James Marshall
98 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:39:40
Ticket details will be announced on Evertonfc.com in due course.

Dave Ganley
99 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:49:58
I fancy us against any of them to be honest.... bit of revenge against West Ham and we owe Man Utd one for the awful display early in the season.

Dream final against Watford is still on. My mate is Watford fan and he still thinks we cheated with Andy Gray's goal. Jeez... some people never let go!!

David Barks
100 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:52:01
Regardless of opponent, we’ll be facing a team scrapping for a top 4 spot, which could affect their team selection. Also, they’ll be coming off of having to play an extra match for the replay. And in Man Utd’s case, they also have the Europa League match to come.

We should be setting ourselves up for this match now with no distractions. And in all honesty, there is no reason we shouldn’t be capable of winning regardless of who it ends up being. Won’t be easy, but no semi-final should be.

Graham Mockford
101 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:54:36
Ticket details won't come out until the dates are decided.

Allocation will be about 31,000. We have 26,000 season ticket holders.

It took BT and the Beeb five days to sort out the quarters so probably expect something Friday or so.

Kieran Carr
102 Posted 14/03/2016 at 20:54:58
I don’t know why but just have a feeling the cocky Hammers will loose against Man Uts. Not worried either way. If we turn up and play, we can beat either. Keep a low profile and let them do all the talking.
Peter Cummings
103 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:00:58
I just knew it would happen as I posted after we beat Chelski. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but we can beat either of them if we put our best boot forward on the day; the team selection will be critical.

It’s long past the time the semis should revert to the old system of neutral venues as if we do get to the final it means our fantastic support will be bled white twice by the cockney con merchants, we should also lobby for a truly ’National’ stadium set in a central England location,

Having been lucky to see us win the cup in ’66 ’84 and our loss to WBA plus seeing Skem win the FA amateur version, and taking the missus down for a St Helens Rugby League Cup final win there (she’s a Saints fanatic from Clinkham Wood), I do have good memories of the old Wembley but think a change is long overdue. GO BLUES!

Harold Matthews
104 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:03:05
John C. Sounds like you need to lie down in a dark roomk for an hour ot two.
Colin Hughes
105 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:04:11
Similar to the 1985 Cup-Winners Cup semi-final when we played Bayern Munich, this FA Cup semi-final is more like the final, especially if it is Man Utd we play as the other two are not expected to win the cup so whoever wins ours should go on to triumph in the final.

In the 1985 the other Cup-Winners Cup semi-final was Rapid Vienna v Dynamo Moscow and neither were anything special and getting there was their success. It’s ours if we can overcome this hurdle.

Kevin Tully
106 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:04:42
Martin Mason #83: "If we are good enough on the day we will beat anybody and have a great day too. Don’t have any worry though because we can’t influence anything except by being great supporters for the team."

I find that a bit hypocritical to be honest, after you explicitly stated you didn’t want us to win the FA Cup, or indeed another game from now until the end of the season.

Patrick Murphy
107 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:08:23
Surely our Semi-Final will be held on the Saturday as we and Man Utd providing they beat West Ham have the furthest to travel, whilst Watford and Palace can almost walk there.

However, our last Semi-Final was played on a Saturday and the previous one to that against United was a Sunday, so perhaps Sunday would be best.. Who knows it’s the Cup.

John Byrne
108 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:09:05
Can’t wait for this. I'm confident of beating either of these two. The team seem very determined when it comes to the cup games. To go on and beat Watford in the final would be a fitting tribute to Howard Kendall.
Jay Wood
109 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:13:11
There is only one team left in the competition that can stop Everton from progressing to the final and lifting the trophy. And that team is ...

Everton.

John Wright
110 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:14:19
London Marathon Sunday 24th April probably means we will be playing on the Saturday under the orders of the Old Bill...
Jimmy Salt
111 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:14:59
I had a feeling we were going to play Watford in the final and beat them again. Now I'm going to bet on it.
Paul Kernot
112 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:23:04
Our last two FA Cup wins have been v Man Utd & Watford. Hopefully there’s a good omen in there somewhere. If Roberto has finally woken up & accepted his job is on the line, we might just win the thing again this year.
Jon Cox
113 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:29:45
Harold, you may find that before you comment you get my name right as in

JONathan.

Sorry pal, but I’ve supported EFC for nearly 60 years. I’m sure I’d love a beer with you, but I’ve every right to say what I need to say. The average ice age lasts for at least 100,000 years, so the ages between us to is of course infinitesimal.

Joe Royle once said to me at Southport open air swimming pool, "It’s not about who we play but how we think on the pitch that matters."

I’ve gone with that ever since.

Harold, we must have a get together some time and talk about the old days.

So on we go. Why didn’t I go with my gut feeling? I just knew we’d play the hardest draw possible. Problem for THEM is that it works out easier for us eventually.

Barry Pearce
114 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:37:02
West Ham or Man Utd... they won’t fancy playing us. COYB.
James Stewart
115 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:41:49
Winners of this tie will be massive favourites for the final. United will beat West Ham so it will be a really tough game to win.
Bob Parrington
117 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:53:42
Whatever will be will be! To win it, we have to win each game so, who gives a shit? If we’re good enough, we’ll win the semi and go on to win the final.

Frankly, I’d sooner have this end of the draw than the "so-called" easier side. We’re more likely to win the more difficult semi pairing.

Bob Parrington
118 Posted 14/03/2016 at 21:53:55
Whatever will be will be! To win it we have to win each game so, who gives a shit? if we're good enough we'll win the semi and go on to win the final. Frankly, I'd sooner have this end of the draw than the "so-called" easier side. We're more like;y to win the more difficult semi pairing.
Pete Cumberlidge
119 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:04:48
Usually these days the semi final winners get into Europa but we’ll have to win the final this year to get in. Entry into Europe for us never seems to work well out for us – Europa or Champions League.
Laurie Hartley
120 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:07:11
Seamus said on his Twitter account about the Chelsea win:-

"It hurt for a few days after the West Ham game, so we had to show up physically and get in and about Chelsea. And I thought the crowd played a massive part – they got right behind us."

The penny has dropped then.

If they take that attitude into the semi against Man Utd or West Ham Utd we will be going to Wembley.

Up the Blues!

Daniel Joseph
121 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:17:09
I'm more scared of Bilic’s crew than LVG's...
Paul Rimmer
122 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:17:20
I think we’ll play West Ham in the semi-final and we still owe them for 1980. Crystal Palace have been talking the cup up this year so hopefully we can beat them in the final!

Defensively we’ve played really well in the Cup so we should be confident. Come on, you Blues.

Mark Browne
123 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:17:52
Just as important, does anybody know the rearranged dates for Liverpool, Sunderland and now Crystal Palace? I would like to get them sorted sooner as don’t want a fixture pile-up just before a Wembley final.
Simon Smith
125 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:23:47
Got to say that, even if we play Man Utd or the ’Ammers, I don’t expect common sense to prevail at the FA for one second and make our game the Saturday match to give the fans a chance to get down and back.

I mean who would in their right minds expect two London based teams to play on a Sunday when they have to travel such short distances when most of their fans can just use the Underground to get to the game!

Watch this space as they say..... We all know that they don’t give a flying fig about the fans!!

Oliver Molloy
126 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:25:14
It’s no good getting to a semi-final if you don’t win it.

We should have no fear about who it is we play – we are very capable of beating both these teams.

Tom Bowers
127 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:32:21
Everton, on their day can beat any of the remaining sides so we have to hope that the right Everton team shows up.

Man Utd are very ordinary at the moment without Rooney and as most agree; West Ham rely heavily on the form of Payet who of course should have been sent off yesterday.

Hopefully we will not get Atkinson or Marriner for the semi-final as both are piss-poor referees.

Joe O'Brien
128 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:36:36
Was hoping for this draw. We have to meet them sometime might as well be in the semi. I’m not afraid of either of them to be honest. I wanted it so we could have the possibility of meeting Watford, a repeat of ’84.

After the sad passing of Howard , I think it’s faith that we’re going to lift the cup this year after beating Watford in the final.
Victor Jones
129 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:36:54
This season could end great. A cup, at long bloody last. Its ours for the taking. Or it could just end up like a damp squib... just like, well, last season.

Man Utd or the Hammers? Well there is unfinished business with both these teams this season. We were beyond poor, in that awful defeat to United, earlier in the season. We were rubbish. I hope that that was just a one off. The circumstances of the day, stopped Everton playing. This current Man U team can be beat. Martinez has to get everything right. I hope that we can keep the team that beat Chelsea fit. I hope that we can now get some momentum going in the league.

Barkley and Lennon being given the freedom of Wembley. Mouth watering. And also Lukaku. That pitch could be made for him. Bootiful. Lukaku up for it... and in full flight.

And what about West Ham? We had them beat, the other week. Until Mirallas started to fuck about.(can we risk a hot head...in such an important match. Can you trust him?)... Until Lukaku missed that penalty.(give the penalty's to Barkley....or reinstate Baines)... And until Martinez started his useless fiddling about. We had them beat. So next time, play them off the park. I believe that on our day......we can play any team off the park. This comment goes back to another semi final. Everton v West ham. Can't just remember the year. Up pops a certain Frank Lampard senior. Everton go out. West Ham go on to win that years cup. Well, I think that it was the semi final. Not now just to sure. But the bloody Lampards have been a complete bloody nuisance to Everton, ever since. We owe them one.

We owe both Man Utd and the Irons. And I believe that we can beat either team. And the final will take care of its self. Believe. People....Believe. Up the Toffees......

Gavin McGarvey
130 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:40:11
If we were to play badly, which of those teams could we beat? If we were to play well, which of them could beat us? COYB
Daniel Joseph
131 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:42:18
Never enjoyed the semis, always the main event for me.
Jamie Sweet
132 Posted 14/03/2016 at 22:51:08
It seems very likely that our game against the Red Shite will be re-scheduled for the Tuesday or Wednesday, right before the Semi.

For me, we play our best team against them, and keep the momentum going for Wembley. However, I can see the argument for resting a few too.

Bit of a dilemma for Roberto there.

Jack Mason
133 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:01:11
@ Paul 120. Yes we do owe them for that. I hadn’t forgotten it and even though I think, whoever we played in the semi, I think we’d win.

Personally, I want West Ham.

Stephen Scofield
134 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:03:19
For the first season ever, I am happy to get the harder draw. We’ve played so much better against the better teams this season. Bring it on!
Kevin Johnson
135 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:11:14
Win it for Howard Kendall... The Greatest Evertonian of All.
David Hallwood
136 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:15:26
Paul (#120) I was at Elland Road for that semi-final when Fat Frank Snr (Jeez... that family’s done us some damage over the years) scored after Latchford had scored an absolute peach to equalise. I can’t remember who scored West Ham’s first, and I think it went into extra time.

Awful drive home – not to be repeated.

Peter Bell
137 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:30:33
Dave, Alan Devonshire got the first.
Peter Bell
138 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:32:31
Right through Martin Hodge's legs...
Peter Bell
139 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:35:52
We lost it in the first game at Villa Park: one up and Brian Kidd decides he is going to get sent off for arguing with the linesman.
Jack Mason
140 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:36:39
Devonshire in the replay got the first.
Jack Mason
141 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:39:35
Just think, if we had've got Shilton, how things would have been different.
Peter Bell
142 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:42:44
Jack, there was two decisions in the 70s that would have changed the history of Everton: the first was signing Bobby Robson after Catterick and the second was signing Shilton. We failed on both and those across the park have never looked back.
Jack Mason
143 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:44:46
You’re right, Peter. You’d think by now I’d be over it.
Peter Bell
144 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:52:13
After Catterick, we signed former Southport manager, Billy Bingham... WTF?!?!?
Michael Williams
145 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:59:36
One of the things we do in America, if a website/blog is big enough is have an annual get together. The leading (largest) fan website in the city will get an official from the club to attend.

What about ToffeeWeb or someone else organizing a get together before the semi? Maybe rent the back room of a pub near the stadium or something. I'm in America so I won't be there but if I was there I might do it.

Maybe use the Wembley semi as a social event for ToffeeWebbers and have an annual get together before one of the home games and invite someone from the club. I bet you would get someone worthwhile to attend. The bigger your attendance, the bigger the club official. Our baseball teams are very good about this.

Jack Mason
146 Posted 14/03/2016 at 23:59:55
I met Billy Bingham a couple of times, he was always a gentleman and admitted to a few regrets, like us all.

As for Bobby Robson, I’m still mystified how we fucked that up. Personally, I think the board panicked and even seriously considered Shankly at one point.

Peter Bell
147 Posted 15/03/2016 at 00:07:00
Jack,

Bobby Robson agreed to manage Everton after Catterick but asked the board to say nothing until he told the Cobbald brothers at Ipswich he was leaving.

He picked up the paper the next day to hear that Everton were saying he was their new manager; he then said "How can I work for people who let me down on the first day?" and decided not to go and stayed at Ipswich.

Don Alexander
148 Posted 14/03/2016 at 00:10:52
To Harold Matthews and Jon(athon) Cox; the darkened room wasn’t available by the time JC posted and l only know this because I was in it since the draw, with thousands of other Toffees.

"Nurse, bring me the tranquilisers!"

Mark Andersson
149 Posted 14/03/2016 at 00:11:35
Bobby has experience in the FA Cup to go all the way. The team owe the fans something to cheer about. Sure, the microphones will be a couple dbs lower, but it’s what the players hear live that will spur them on.....

Jack Mason
150 Posted 15/03/2016 at 00:19:16
And you can understand that, Peter; Robson was a man of principle. I wanted Clough, both times. I don’t think he was even considered.

Retrospectively we got Gordon Lee, who maybe was harshly judged but I’ve never met an Evertonian yet who had faith in Hodge, Wood or Davies. We were close – that’s what is so damn frustrating about the '70s... some great players.

I hope Martinez is more Kendall than Lee.

Peter Bell
151 Posted 15/03/2016 at 00:31:40
Jack, the problem with Everton in those days is that they were always blinded by anyone had had a result against us:

1972 – got beat by Walsall; answer... sign Bernie Wright.
1976 – Newcastle 5 Everton 0; get Gordon Lee as manager.
1985 – Everton 0 Grimsby 1; let's sign Paul Wilkinson.
1991 – Oldham knock us out the cup; that Mick Milligan looks good...
1993 – Ekoku scores 4 for Norwich; let’s get Mike Walker!

Jack Mason
153 Posted 15/03/2016 at 00:56:07
Spot on, Peter... how about this one: Everton 0 Wigan 3, we appoint Roberto Martinez.
Conor Skelly
154 Posted 15/03/2016 at 01:00:23
This is easily the closest we’ve been to silverware since Peter Schmeichel pulled up with a hammy running back to his own goal in the final few seconds of the '95 Cup final. In play betting aside this is the first time since perhaps '84 vs Watford we’ve been favorites for the Cup.

For good reason. Forget league places. We’re the best team left in a one off game with the type of players that could well run amok in both Wembley games.

Jack Mason
155 Posted 15/03/2016 at 01:30:57
I agree, whatever your opinions on Martinez, Players, the Board etc..It's time to unite.
Colin Gee
156 Posted 15/03/2016 at 01:40:17
Paul (#43) it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the FA appointed Clattenberg as ref for our Semi, with Clive Thomas and Pierluigi Collina as Linesmen and Martin Atkinson as fourth official....

As for if it will the the Saturday or the Sunday, It’s the London Marathon on the Sunday, the Met Police might not want the two London clubs playing on the Sunday. I suspect that whoever has first pick of the ties BBC or BT will pick our semi and it depends when they want to show it.

The most important thing is that if we re-arrange a game for the week before the Semi, we definitely don’t want to be playing the RS, as we know what will happen...

Peter Thistle
157 Posted 15/03/2016 at 01:40:43
I was hoping for either of the other 2 but we can beat anyone in this competition. We almost seem to play better against decent teams, get more up for it. I want West Ham after our recent game against em, need to do em in like we shoulda done the other week. Have a feeling it will be Man Utd tho....
David Ellis
158 Posted 15/03/2016 at 02:08:06
In 1984, we drew Southampton in the semis – that was a terrible draw as they finished second in the league that year (behind you know who). The other semi-finalists were Watford (struggling Division 1 side) and Plymouth (lower divisions). We finished 7th that year (but hardly lost a game after Christmas). So it was a big big big ask.

I saw the game at Highbury and we squeaked through 1-0 in extra time. Then relatively comfortably beat Watford 2-0 in the final – as you all will know.

Same again, please. I would rather play West Ham United than Manchester United.

Dave Clark
161 Posted 15/03/2016 at 03:39:01
Jack Mason #148 hang your head in shame, you forgot the worst keeper I’ve ever seen in my life! Dave Lawson!

Have you seen how far off his line he was in the 77 Semi against the RS and what was he thinking in the League Cup Final against Villa at OT?

Come on lads, Lawson had to be the worst!
Plato Stavrinos
162 Posted 15/03/2016 at 03:51:30
I started supporting Everton after the 1984 final, I was 9 at the time. It would be great to win it this year and get a whole new generation of Everton supporters on board.

Everton vs Watford final!

Anto Byrne
163 Posted 15/03/2016 at 04:00:25
West Ham, please, as I was at Elland Road all those years ago and retribution is in order.

Palace are a bogey side and Watford just knocked out Arsenal at the Emirates of all places. I wonder if we can get Wenger in as director of football to work with Martinez as his days are numbered at Arsenal and we do have Moshiri.
Ernie Baywood
164 Posted 15/03/2016 at 04:50:14
I’ll guarantee that Palace and Watford are thrilled with the draw. West Ham Utd and Man Utd will be disappointed.

Everyone else is worried about us. It’s up to us to play this out like a top side now.

Christopher Timmins
165 Posted 15/03/2016 at 06:41:24
It's our cup to lose at this stage. We are the best team left in the competition and now the team has to deliver two more performances when expectation levels are high, something that they are going to have to get used to in the future if they hope to be successful.

Nev Renshaw
166 Posted 15/03/2016 at 06:58:29
I hope it’s the Hammers. We should have beaten them at GP so we need revenge.
Brian Wilkinson
167 Posted 15/03/2016 at 07:14:06
First time I've not been worried who we drew in the semi-final before the draw was made.

Over the past 10 seasons, we've had a decent side when fully fit, but always struggled if two players were injured or suspended. You look at the bench now and its packed with established players.

Barry suspended, Besic to step in, Baines, Galloway, Oviedo, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Coleman, Stones at the back.

Besic, Barry, Lennon, McCarthy, Gibson, Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas... the list is endless in midfield.

Lukaku, Niasse, Kone... okay, fingers crossed Lukaku keeps fit, but for the first time in ages, we are not sweating on a suspension or injury. We have a squad now that is capable of beating any of the sides left in the cup.

In the eighties, we had a belief we could beat anyone. This team for me is the strongest team left in; if we play like we can, the cup will be coming back to Goodison Park.

How fitting to win this for the team, the fans, but most of all for Howard Kendall.

Joe O'Brien
168 Posted 15/03/2016 at 07:51:08
The exact same happened me Plato, I was 10. I've a feeling it's going to happen again. Could be the start of a brilliant era for our team. With the squad that we've got and the new money on board anything is possible. .
Paul Conway
169 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:27:43
Personally, I hope Man Utd clatter West Ham Utd with such ease that they are installed as bookies favourites, I know we have a favourite's chance, but I don't want to see us a bookies' favourite as it's losing favourites that make the bookies rich!

COYB!!

Guy Hastings
170 Posted 15/03/2016 at 09:48:20
As for kick-of time, the FA will consult the railway timetable for that weekend and find the most inconvenient ko time for those travelling from the north-west. Say what you will about the FA, they are very good at this sort of thing.
Derek Knox
172 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:19:48
I am truly hoping, after what has been, probably our best squad, dominating most games, with some scintillating performances, and yet managing to throw away so many points, is all behind us now.

Albeit too late, for a decent League position at any rate, but the season can still be salvaged with a Cup, and entry into the Europa.

Can we beat any of the teams left in? Too true we can, and that is if we play like we can, and have done in small doses, but keep it going for 90 minutes. Simples.

Let's hope good times are ahead, and about to start from our next game.

COYB

Kevin Johnson
173 Posted 15/03/2016 at 10:57:43
West Ham are already playing us at Wembley. They haven’t beaten the Mancs yet. They won’t be doing the double over us this time.
Terry Underwood
174 Posted 15/03/2016 at 12:46:33
I can’t understand all the worriers. Do you think the West Ham Utd and Man Utd fan sites are full of posts saying "Oh good, only Everton"? I think not!!

We can win this.... COYB

Ste Traverse
175 Posted 15/03/2016 at 12:50:31
I think it was obvious we’d come across the Mancs in this draw as we usually seem to get them, or Liverpool, when we get to Wembley.

In 10 of our last 14 visits to the national stadium in FA Cup finals, League Cups finals, Charity Shields and Semis we’ve faced our neighbours or that mob from down the East Lancs.

Yes, I know Man Utd aren’t there but if they do it will be yet another North West derby down in the smoke.

As for West Ham Utd, having had a look at their forums, they seem to think we have a ’misguided sense of optimism’, bloody hell, I always thought we were a ’glass-half empty’ pessimistic set of fans.

Craig Walker
176 Posted 15/03/2016 at 13:39:02
Who would you rather face out of West Ham or Man Utd? I think I'd rather face the Hammers although I keep changing my mind. We have a good record against West Ham and Lukaku always scores against them. The other week, we were 2-0 up with a great chance to make it 3-0 and that was with 10 men. Andy Carroll worries me though. I still come out in cold sweats when I think of our last FA cup semi-final. This is the best chance we've had in a long time!
Craig Walker
177 Posted 15/03/2016 at 13:41:44
Guy #168. Whether it's West Ham or Man Utd, their fans won't have far to travel.
Jack Mason
178 Posted 15/03/2016 at 15:42:49
Dave @ 159. Head duly hung in shame. Lawson, Britain's most expensive goalkeeper when signed if I remember correctly. To think he was signed to replace the legendary Gordon West.

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