Everton vs. Sunderland: 6 Takeaways from FA Cup Quarterfinal

Everton rescued their FA Cup quarterfinal tie against Sunderland by securing a 1-1 draw through a Tim Cahill header.

The Merseysiders were clearly the better side on the day, but Sunderland held out in typical Martin O'Neill fashion to earn a replay at the Stadium of Light. The Black Cats have now extended their record of futility against the Toffees to 16 games spread out over 11 years.

It was very much a game of two halves, with the second period lacking any sort of imagination or creativity after the first promised a very exciting game.

Here are six takeaways from a very polar match.

Tim Cahill Is Back

After failing to find the back of the net for over a year, Australian forward Tim Cahill finally got on the scoresheet with an instinctive header in the 23rd minute.

After Nikica Jelavic deflected the ball into the path of Cahill, a split-second reaction gave Everton the crucial equalizer that they would hold on to for the rest of the match.

If this goal opens the floodgates for the struggling Cahill, it will be a massive boon to the Toffees for the rest of the season. Having the productive Aussie on top form will reinvigorate the attack for the run-in.

The Kittens Continue to Impress

By "kittens" I mean the young Black Cats in Martin O'Neill's team.

James McClean, in particular, has been superb for Sunderland, glancing a header wide in the first half and nearly setting up Nicklas Bendtner for the winner.

Adding more energy to the side were Jack Colback and the reborn Fraizer Campbell, who provided threatening outlets while the game was still watchable.

Much of O'Neill's success this season has come because he has manged to blend experience with the good youthful core emerging on Tyneside.

Everton Must Keep Royston Drenthe

Everton is a side that, while very good, often lacks that one unpredictable, dynamic element capable of winning a game or rescuing a draw.

Royston Drenthe is that element.

He is fantastic at taking free-kicks, but also has tremendous pace and movement, along with the ability to trouble any defence in England when he chooses to use it.

David Moyes must keep the on-loan Real Madrid man at Goodison Park this summer, despite the paucity of transfer funds that he often receives. With all the talent on offer at the Bernabeu, he will probably be able to.

Nikica Jelavic Keeps Getting Better

With every passing match, January signing Nikica Jelavic continues to prove his worth and make David Moyes look like a genius for plucking him from Rangers.

Without him against Liverpool in midweek, Everton's attack looked a bit toothless with only Denis Stracqualursi leading the line.

It was his flick that led to Tim Cahill's goal, and shortly thereafter, he almost scored his team's second with an effort that flashed just wide.

After a very active match, the Croat nearly won it in stoppage time, only to be denied by Simon Mignolet. It's clear that when he is in the team, Everton are a much better side.

Sylvain Distin Hasn't Lost a Step

Even though he is 34 years old, centre-back Sylvain Distin is clearly the linchpin of Everton's defence, and he put in another great performance against Sunderland.

His partnership with Johnny Heitinga was a strong one, and Distin in particular was a brick wall at the back.

No matter who Sunderland threw at him—including on-form striker Fraizer Campbell—Distin would not budge. The pace he has for a defender at his age is remarkable, and it serves him well against attackers who should easily get the better of him.

Regardless of whether it is Phil Jagielka or Heitinga standing beside him in central defence, Distin must be the ever-present force in the Starting XI.

Sunderland Should Win the Replay

If you thought that Sunderland were scrappy and tenacious today, wait until they get going at the Stadium of Light.

Their ability to feed off their home fans and hold steady at the back has stymied many teams in the past. Just ask Arsenal how tough the Black Cats can be on their home ground and Arsene Wenger will get shivers down his spine.

Though Sunderland will have to perform much better during their next clash with Everton, they are definitely capable of doing so when they are on their home ground.

Their objective heading to Goodison Park was probably to earn a replay, and now that they have, they will be more inclined to go for the win when they meet again. With Everton hosting on-form Arsenal in midweek, it is a victory that Sunderland can certainly get.

Follow @charliemelman