Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the FA Cup sixth round, with the first game undoubtedly the tie of the round. In many ways, with so many mismatches over the past few years or games involving big clubs who have bigger concerns, Everton v Sunderland would be an ideal final: two upwardly mobile clubs of similar quality who would get real value out of winning the trophy. At the least, though, that should make for a full-blooded cup fixture today.

Adrian Chiles has a gentle dig at Roy dressed up as a leprechaun as he sees a few in the crowd, with the day that’s in it. But then there was that crisps ad.

The teams:

Everton: Howard, Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Osman, Drenthe, Cahill, Jelavic

Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, Bridge, Turner, Larsson, Gardner, Campbell, Colback, O’Shea, McClean, Bendtner

Moyes, of course, came under a bit of criticism for his team selection against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby during the week. You’d imagine an FA Cup win would bring forgiveness though. Not to mention a perfect way to mark that 10th anniversary.

We’re off.

And, as expected, it’s a crackling start to the game. This really does present an opportunity for these two clubs this season: with Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool in such erratic form, the FA Cup may well be there for the taking, potentially marking the dividing line between a typically solid season or a great one.

Sunderland having the better of it early on, forcing a series of corners which James McClean is delivering dangerously.

Royston Drenthe’s runs the only element of Everton’s play alleviating the pressure but, just then, the speedy Dutch winger is booked for diving in the Sunderland box.

GOAL! Everton 0-1 Sunderland

You can’t say Sunderland don’t deserve it! With a free-kick out on the right, everyone is expecting Seb Larsson to cross it. Jack Colback quickly plays it to the edge of the box for Phil Bardsley, though, who rifles it low past Tim Howard from distance. Brilliant goal, brilliant start Sunderland.

Sunderland still on top. Everton really need to get a foothold in this game before they get overwhelmed.

GOAL! Everton 1-1 Sunderland

Out of nothing, Everton equalise! Baines crosses, Jelavic heads and Tim Cahill directs it in for what is an increasingly rare goal for the Australian.

And Everton are finally on top now, enjoying a spell in the ascendancy. The goal has done wonders for them and taken the sting out of Sunderland.

And now Sunderland beat a ball off the line! Tim Cahill meets a corner, powers it goalwards but MIgnolet punches it clear just before Heitinga can get a touch.

Drenthe hits the bar with a free-kick. That was vicious and swinging from about 30 yards but it’s just not low enough. Great strike though.

Half-time: a half of two halves – Sunderland in the ascendancy until the Everton goal, at which point the home team took control. It’s nicely poised.

The second half is under way.

The second has started somewhat slower than the first. The managers have clearly had a word because that was frantic stuff and surely impossible to maintain. Everton controlling possession in the early stages.

Seamus Coleman fires into the sidenetting, but the flag had gone up. On that note, will there be an Irish scorer today? There are enough Irishmen on the pitch.

Second half much more end-to-end although without the chances of the first. Everton probably just shading it now, with a half-hour left. Coleman causing O’Shea problemson the right.

Jelavic just over having directed Baines’ free-kick towards goal. Sunderland need an outlet at the moment. You can feel Everton finishing the game much stronger.

There’ll be no goal for Seamus Coleman on St Patrick’s Day anyway. He’s going off for Magaye Gueye.

Sunderland have managed to plug the gaps and Everton finding increasingly difficult to convert their control into cutting-edge (not for the first time this season… or, indeed, under Moyes). At the moment, looks like we’re heading for a replay.

Sunderland get a jolt of energy as we enter the last 10 minutes. Bridge marauding up the line, exploiting the space Drenthe left behind him. Phil Neville currently castigating the Dutchman while Heitinga has a quieter word in his air. Drenthe went down looking for a free and then didn’t bother to chase back.

Everton so close to a winner! Heitinga’s soaring header is saved by Mignolet, who then gets up to keep out Jelavic’s response!

Evert0n finishing the stronger here. Can they push for a winner?

Sunderland get a rare reprieve and a set-piece in the 93rd minute. Larsson delivers superbly but there’s no-one on the other end.

Full-time: Everton 1-1 Sunderland

So they’ll do it again. Both of these teams’ seasons go on. Everton probably had the better of it all but a defeat would still have felt harsh on Sunderland.