Sunderland 0 - 2 Everton: Jelavic sends Toffees on way to derby at Wembley

Nikica Jelavic fired Everton on their way to an all-Merseyside FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Wembley with the opening goal at Sunderland.

The Croatia international striker slid home Magaye Gueye’s 24th-minute cross as the visitors enjoyed the better of the first half.

Black Cats goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had earlier had to deal with 20th-minute headers from Cahill and Jelavic with the home side going closest from Sebastian Larsson’s free-kick 10 minutes before the break.

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Everton’s win was secured when Sunderland midfielder David Vaughan scored an own goal in the 57th minute.

The Everton coach arrived at the Stadium of Light barely an hour before kick-off after being caught in traffic, but they showed few ill effects as the game got under way at a frenetic pace.

Jelavic might have given them the perfect start with five minutes gone when Leon Osman found space on the right to cross and he met the ball with his head as it dropped over defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, but could not make meaningful contact.

Black Cats nemesis Tim Cahill found himself in on goal with eight minutes gone after Marouane Fellaini had skipped away from James McClean and played him in, but his shot from a tight angle was well saved by keeper Simon Mignolet.

In an end-to-end encounter, Larsson picked out Stephane Sessegnon beyond the far post with an 11th-minute corner, but his header dropped harmlessly wide.

Mignolet was powerless to stop Everton when Fellaini played Gueye in down the left and his cross was swept home by Jelavic.