Sheffield United have battled their way through the FA Youth Cup since the first round proper and with the exception of a nine goal drumming of Worcester City in round two have fought their way through with the aid of a penalty shoot-out. They began their cup trail at Oldham Athletic's Boundary Park, winning 4-3 on spot kicks after a 2-2 draw.
Jake Eyre and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both netted hat-tricks as the Blades thrashed non-leaguers Worcester City by nine goals to nil in the second round. Bolton Wanderers proved sterner opponents and after the game was 1-1 at the Reebok Stadium were extra-time couldn't find a winner penalties prevailed were United eventually won 4-3.
However they almost met their end at Millwall on 20 January, two goals down at the break goals from Eyre and Ben Whiteman (penalty) rescured a draw before winning 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out.
Blades Under-18's boss Travis Binnion is likely to include Diego DeGirolamo, Dominic Calvert-Lewis and Connor Dimaio who have all featured as unused substitutes in the first teams FA Cup campaign against Premiership duo Aston Villa and Fulham recently.
Should tonight's game be level scoring at 90 minutes then 30 minutes extra-time will commence before a penalty shoot-out is played out should one be required.
Blades Possible Line-Up (4-4-2):
Eastwood
Scarisbrick - Evans - Banton - Paling
Dimaio - Coustrain - De Girolamo - Whiteman
Calvert-Lewin - Eyre
Please note that this game will be played at Bramall Lane with the South Stand only opened. Tickets are priced £3.00 adults with other concessions free of charge.
Everton have had a good history in the FA Youth Cup, winning on three occassions and being the runners-up four times since the competition was first staged in 1953 - their last apperance being in 2002. Coicedently the Merseyside team are one of only five teams to have won both the FA Cup and FA Youth Cup the same year, this being in 1984 when they beat Watford and the youths were victorious aaginst Stoke City. Arsenal (1971), Coventry City (1987), Liverpool (2006) and Chelsea (2010 & 2012) acompany them on that list.
They joined this seasons competition in the Third Round and were fortunate to be handed two consecutive home ties, firstly beating Bighton & Hove Albion by two goals to nil and recently, on 14 January scraped their way past Birmingham City, Neil Dewsnip's side winning 4-3 victory.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014 - Everton 4 Birmingham City 3 (by toffeeweb.com)
The scoring opened on 23 minutes, when Calum Dyson was on hand to coolly slot the ball into the Birmigham goal after a strike from Courtney Duffus had been blocked. The goal sparked Everton into life and the youngsters continued in their attempts to extend their lead. But half chances for Duffus senior and Dyson were spurned under pressure from a determined Birmingham backline.
Birmingham posed more of a threat after the break and their efforts were rewarded with an equaliser on 59 minutes, when a superb 20-yard curling strike sailed past Russell Griffiths in the Everton goal. The two sides continued to exchange blows, but it was Everton who would take the lead again just after the hour mark when an inviting low cross from Dyson was turned in by Courtney Duffus from four yards.
Substitute George Green went on to extend Everton’s lead after he was released down the left flank on 77 minutes. After outpacing a defender, Green unleashed a vicious left-footed shot to make it 3-1 to the home side. The delighted youngster was booked in the aftermath for an exuberant celebration which saw him remove his shirt.
Everton’s two-goal cushion, however, was short-lived as Birmingham pulled a goal back just two minutes later. A clever back heel set-up the Birmingham striker who confidently side footed past Griffiths from 15-yards to bring the score to 3-2.
Everton went further ahead after 89 minutes with another goal from Green. A free-kick was awarded after smart work from Ryan Ledson resulted in the midfielder being bundled over 20-yards from the Birmingham goal. Green stepped up to curl a left-footed strike over the wall and into the top right hand corner of the goal.
A Birmingham substitute capitalised on a costly slip on the edge of the Everton penalty area in injury time to make it 4-3 and set up a nervy last couple of minutes for the young Blues, who held on to go through to the Fifth Round.
Toffee's Finals (aggregate scores):
1961 - Chelsea 5 Everton 3
1965 - Everton 3 Arsenal 2
1977 - Crystal Palace 1 Everton 0
1983 - Norwich City 6 Everton 5 (AET)
1984 - Everton 4 Stoke City 2
1998 - Everton 5 Blackburn Rovers 3
2002 - Aston Villa 4 Everton 2
5th Round Fixtures:
- Cardiff City vs. Chelsea
- Sheffield United vs. Everton
- Charlton Athletic vs. Arsenal
- Reading 3 Accrington Stanley 0
- Manchester City vs. Fulham
- Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester United
- Watford vs. Liverpool
- Derby County vs. Newcastle United