'Second Bite At The Cherry'

Midfielder Cahill desperate to win replay and reach Wembley.

Tim Cahill has stressed that Wembley is still within reach after the 1-1 draw in the FA Cup quarter-final against Sunderland.

The Australian midfielder popped up in trademark fashion to head an equaliser following Phil Bardsley’s strike, but with the Blues unable to find a second goal, they must now travel to a replay at the Stadium of Light.

Asked whether the Black Cats’ home support would give Martin O’Neill’s side the upper hand, the 32-year old replied: “It can be advantage to whoever you want. But on the day, it's whoever shows up. This is 90 minutes of football and that really is the magic of the cup.

“I've been involved in so many big games. We've just got to make sure we don't hide. We really need to put everything into it.”

Cahill produced a man-of-the-match performance along with his goal and admitted but for the heroics of goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, the Toffees could have scored more.

“I suppose I was due a goal,” he said. “I was already in midair. As soon as [Nikica] Jelavic touched it, I had to adjust and it hit the back of the net. All season I've been trying to get myself in the right positions.

“But this cup means so much to me, and also to the fans. I really wanted more to go in and hopefully go on and win today.”

The replay with Sunderland has been provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 27 March and the former Milwall man believes the thought of Wembley can drive the players to victory.

“We went 1-0 down so you’ve got to look at it as we’ve got another bite at the cherry.

“We were just short of doing the job. The thing is we've got a massive chance to really do something special with this football club.”

For ticket details for the replay at the Stadium of Light, click here.