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Everton or Oldham to play Wigan in the FA Cup quarter-final

Given Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea were lurking menacingly, Everton can have no complaints about how the balls fell in the FA Cup quarter-final draw.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos

If the players needed any extra motivation to beat Oldham at the second time of asking in a fortnight's time, then Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final draw should provide it.

David Moyes' side have been drawn against Premier League stragglers Wigan Athletic and more importantly, they have been drawn at home.

After three successive away draws that comes as a mighty relief and presents us with a very exciting equation - if Everton can beat Oldham and Wigan at Goodison, then we are all on our way to Wembley for the third time in four years.

It is important not to get ahead of ourselves, lets face it had Oldham equalised any earlier on Saturday, such was their late dominance over us they could have grabbed a winner. Make no mistake they will seek to play the game of their lives on Merseyside a week on Wednesday.

But if you consider we could have been handed a trip to Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or the Etihad, then the players cannot blame bad luck in the draw.

Now, it also pays to remember that this is Everton, a club who will do it's best to let you down just when you start to dream. Remember when we were all excited when we played Reading at home a few year's back? That inexplicable fourth round defeat to Birmingham in 2010? We also froze during the last year's quarter-final against Sunderland before a superb display in the replay. Nothing is guaranteed when Everton are involved.

But, I don't think it is inaccurate to suggest that if Everton play to their potential, first against Oldham and then against Wigan, a day out in London and a chance to erase the memories of last year's painful derby defeat could well be on.

You have my permission to start getting excited.