Everton v Sunderland
The FA Cup, Fourth Round
Goodison Park
29 January 2005



Sunderland defender Danny Collins has boldly declared that the Black Cats can pull off an FA Cup Fourth Round shock at Everton.

Championship high-fliers Sunderland are in the mood to topple the Toffees, who have come unstuck a little lately with an indifferent run of results.

David Moyes' side are chasing a place in the Champions League, but Sunderland - beaten by Millwall in last season's semi-finals - are eyeing a Premiership double after disposing of Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light in the last round.

Collins, signed from Chester City for £140,000 in October, has formed an impressive partnership with namesake Neill Collins at the heart of the Sunderland defence, helping to keep clean sheets in the last two games in the absence of skipper Gary Breen and Steve Caldwell.

The experienced duo are hoping to return from injury this weekend, but the "Collins twins'', as manager Mick McCarthy has affectionately dubbed them, are on standby.

Danny, 24, said: "We will be going to Goodison Park as underdogs, but we have been in good form in the last few games, so we are full of confidence.

"Everton, on the other hand, have struggled in the last few weeks, so you never know what might happen.

"There could be a shock, but I wouldn't say it would be a massive upset if we did win. We are third in the Championship, so I don't see that it would be too much of a giant-killing.

"We want to go there and give a good account of ourselves - and we will.''

Collins added: "It's been good to be playing and it's been even better that I have been playing as a left-sided centre-back, because that's my best position.

"I think Neill and I have done well together in the last couple of games and hopefully that can continue. I don't know what's going to happen, but it would be nice to run out at Goodison after doing well in the last two games.''

Sunderland right-back Stephen Wright, who in his early days with Liverpool wore an Everton top underneath his red shirt, will be in direct opposition to former Black Cats teammate Kevin Kilbane.

Wright said: "My family are all Evertonians, so when I signed for Liverpool I got a bit of stick. No doubt it will be the same this weekend!''