Roberto Martinez says The FA Cup quarter final draw makes for a thrilling weekend of football - regardless of whoever Everton go on to face.
Following their 3-1 defeat of Swansea in the Fifth Round, Everton were paired with the winners of the Arsenal v Liverpool tie – opening the door to a possible Merseyside derby at Anfield - but Martinez says whoever their eventual opponents may be, a thrilling prospect awaits.
"It’s the excitement of The Cup," he said.
Everton 3-1 Swansea City
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fifth Round Proper
1.30pm, Sunday 16 Febraury
Goodison Park
Winners receive £180,000
Live on ITV1
"We’re in the Sixth Round and we’re in a fantastic position to get a trip to Wembley and that’s what makes it exciting.
"Obviously the draw hasn’t been too kind in terms of playing away from home – you always want to be at home.
"But we will embrace it, look forward to it and whichever the opposition will be, it will be a fantastic game of football."
Highlights of the game at Goodison Park
Everton booked their place in the quarter final after goals from Lacina Traore, Steven Naismith and Leighton Baines were enough to see off Gary Monk’s men, and the Toffees’ boss said he was delighted with the performance.
"In the first half it was a little bit more controlled," said Martinez. "We pressed and we worked hard and we got the rewards from that, so overall a very professional performance again.”
The Everton boss handed a debut to on-loan striker Traore – and the Ivorian repaid his manager’s faith in him after just four minutes when he opened the scoring with an audacious backheeled effort, something that was particularly pleasing for Martinez.
Traore celebrates his debut goal at Goodison
"Lacina has been working extremely well," he added.
"We need to introduce him slowly, due to the type of season he’s had so it was pleasing to see him on the pitch and scoring that early. That settled him into a very good Everton career – so in that respect really pleasing. “
Meanwhile, man-of-the-match Seamus Coleman said that he and his team-mates are determined to go all the way in this year’s competition after reaching the latter round on numerous occasions in recent years.
“We’re in the next round and that’s all that matters,” he said.
“We want to want to win it. I’ve been here a couple of years now and it’s something we want to do. In that dressing room we all want to win a trophy and hopefully it will be this year.”
