Cup Fever Grips Distin

Sylvain calls for big performance against Black Cats.

Sylvain Distin admits it is hard not to start dreaming about FA Cup glory as a huge quarter-final against Sunderland draws ever nearer.

The Black Cats arrive on Saturday with a place in the last four and a Wembley semi-final at stake.

Distin knows all about success in the competition having won it with Portsmouth in 2008, and he says it isn’t only the supporters who dare to dream.

“You start to believe it now,” Distin told evertonfc.com. “You are only two games before the final. It is only two games. It seems so close you can almost touch it.

“We definitely want to get there, two big games which we’ll take step by step, and first up is Sunderland which won’t be an easy game at all.

“But when it is this close you can’t help but start believing and thinking about it, it seems real.

“At some point you always have to play good teams and the Sunderland are a good team, but it is just two games, two wins and the final. It doesn’t matter who we play.”

As was the last round against Blackpool, Saturday’s tie is a sell-out.

In fact, the game sold out a full 11 days in advance such is the anticipation among Evertonians.

“They are enthusiastic about it,” added Distin. “It is the quarter-final and is a big game. It does help a lot to have all the fans behind you. You want everyone going in the same direction.

“It won’t be easy but when things are difficult you see the real strength of this Club.”

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