Everton beat Chelsea 2-0 at Goodison Park to seal their passage through to the final four of the FA Cup.
A tepid contest sparked into life in the final 15 minutes, as Romelu Lukaku struck twice to win the tie against his former suitors.
Diego Costa and Gareth Barry were both shown red late on in a lively end to the tie, but in the end it was the Toffees who were left celebrating.
Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Goodison Park below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the FA Cup sixth-round tie between Everton and Chelsea at Goodison Park. These two teams now have just one competition to focus on following what has largely been a disappointing league campaign for both.
Defeat for Chelsea at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in midweek brought their European hopes to an end, but they will now be eager to respond by booking a place in the semi-finals of this famous competition. It has been a tough time for both, yet a Wembley date is on the horizon for one of these sides.
For Everton, they will be aiming to improve on a disappointing run at this stage of the competition, which has seen them lose five of their last seven quarter-final ties. That includes defeat in the most recent two last-eight fixtures, with a repeat of that this evening likely to see the pressure increase another few notches on manager Roberto Martinez.
The Toffees have also lost two of their last three games in the Premier League, confirming what has been known for a while now - this side is not quite cut out for a top-four challenge just yet. Martinez remains as optimistic as ever, claiming that today's game is not make-or-break, but it is fair to say that home supporters expect nothing less than a win from this one.
It really has been the most underwhelming of seasons for the Toffees' faithful, who have also had to contend with seeing their side dumped out of the League Cup in the last four earlier this year. Now sitting 12th in the Premier League, with only really a top-half finish to aim for, this match provides a chance to get supporters back on side once more.
Matters have certainly improved off the field in that sense of late, with the arrival of Farhad Moshiri helping to bolster the club's financial ranks. A 49.9% stake in the club has helped bring chairman Bill Kenwright's decade-long pursuit for a new backer, which may in turn propel Everton up another level in the coming years.
The onus is very much on Martinez at this moment in time, though, as Everton are at somewhat of a crossroads heading into this fixture. An inability to hold onto leads, best optimised last time out when collapsing at home to Everton, as well as a terribly weak record here at Goodison Park - three defeats in the last four - has seen the once-loyal fanbase begin to turn on their Spanish boss.
Martinez said this week that he is "not worried" about his future job prospects, stating that his side remain in a solid position. With Moshiri watching on from the stands for the first time this evening, perhaps the pressure has now cranked up a notch or two on the one-time FA Cup winning manager. Only Manchester City and Leicester have scored more goals than the Toffees, but that has not stopped them playing out a season of mid-table mediocrity.
DID YOU KNOW? Chelsea last lost an FA Cup quarter-final fixture eight years ago, when falling to a shock defeat at the hands of then-Championship side Barnsley. Since then, the Blues have won four out of five fixtures, drawing the other one against Manchester United in 2013 before eventually edging through in the replay.
So while Everton do not particularly boast much of a pedigree at this stage of the competition in recent times, it is a different matter entirely for Guus Hiddink's Blues. The Dutchman himself has also grown fond of the FA Cup, too, having won all six of his fixtures across two spells at the West London outfit - including the 2008 final against the Toffees.
Hiddink has also lost just two games during his second coming as temporary Blues boss, both coming at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. While the experienced head coach deserves plenty of praise for the way in which he has helped to stabilise the Blues in the Premier League, that disappointing exit from Europe a few days ago has left a little dampener on things.
It means that Chelsea now only have the FA Cup to compete for, with even a top-four finish - always the very minimum target for a club of their stature - seemingly well out of reach. Hiddink has guided his side from 15th up to 10th in his three months at the helm, but it could now ultimately be a case of the success of his reign being decided by the Blues' fortunes in this competition.
Chelsea are still drawing too many games in the league, as witnessed against Stoke City last time out, and with a mixed bag of fixtures to end the season it is difficult to call exactly where they will finish. Essentially, anything outside the top five and a European place that it brings has to be deemed a major failure. Still, a piece of silverware will help paper over the cracks for the time being, with this likely to be the Blues' toughest match yet.
Hiddink's charges did have to overcome Manchester City in the last round, but you may remember that the Citizens controversially fielded a weakened side. Chelsea, in fairness to them, capitalised and run out comfortable 5-1 winners in the end; the same scoreline that was recorded against MK Dons in the round prior.
Prior to that, Scunthorpe United never once looked capable of pulling off a giant killing in round three, meaning that this competition has provided a welcome respite for Chelsea and their supporters in what has otherwise been a difficult season. Everton, meanwhile, have yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup, having brushed aside Dagenham & Redbridge, Carlisle United and most recently Bournemouth.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS! Everton have won three of the previous nine FA Cup fixtures between these two sides, meaning that it is today's visitors who have had the better luck. The Blues have never actually won a cup tie at Goodison Park, though, in a run that has seen them lose one and draw two in the past. The last encounter came in 2011 when the Toffees progressed on penalties at Stamford Bridge.
Everton have actually won five of the last nine fixtures overall so, while they hardly boast the finest of records at the quarter-final stage - and have also looked poor on home soil in the league - they will head into this pick-of-the-round tie feeling perhaps the more confident of the two. For the neutral, this one really is tough to call.
Before taking a look at the team news from Goodison Park, let us first check out the pre-match thoughts from both camps ahead of kickoff.
Roberto Martinez: "When you see the work of the players and then you don't get the rewards you deserve, it is painful. It is a pain we share with all the fans. The frustration is there. We've seen outstanding signs this season and that is why it is so frustrating to see in games where we are winning, we throw it away."
Guus Hiddink: "We had a difficult loss [against Paris St-Germain] and just two days to recover physically, psychologically and mentally. It's always a blow when you're knocked out (even when) by a good team. Now the players have to respond. Mentally, it's very important they're resilient."
So Hiddink talking there about his side needing to show some 'mental resillience' this evening, just a few days on from their latest European Cup exit at the hands of PSG. Chelsea still had plenty to play for this time last week, but defeat in this showdown will essentially see the season peter out over the coming months.
For Martinez, on the other hand, he has plenty to prove between now and May. The Spaniard has talked of his 'frustration' at seeing his players' performances not being rewarded with the results he feels they deserve. While their league form has been shaky to say the least, a win here tonight - coupled with the new investment - will surely see the mood around the blue half of Merseyside change completely.
It has been a tough season for Roberto Martinez at Everton, but the Spaniard - who has previously won this competition with Wigan Athletic - knows that progression into the final four this evening will see a massive weight lifted off his shoulders.
With kickoff on Merseyside now less than 20 minutes away, let us turn attention towards some confirmed team news from Goodison Park, starting with the home side...
EVERTON TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Robles, Coleman, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Baines, Cleverley, Barry, Lennon, McCarthy, Barkley, Lukaku.
SUBS: Howard, Stones, Niasse, Besic, Osman, Deulofeu, Kone
So three changes made by Everton boss Roberto Martinez, then, as Leighton Baines, Tom Cleverley and Gareth Barry all come back into the starting lineup. The glaring admission is that of John Stones, who has seemingly been dropped to the bench following last week's 3-2 defeat at the hands of West Ham United here.
Bryan Oviedo, struggling with a chest infection this week, misses out on the squad altogether. An in-form Aaron Lennon, who has scored five in his last seven - compared to four goals in his previous three years combined - has been deemed fit enough to start after complaining of a hamstring injury.
Kevin Mirallas is the other notable absentee for the Toffees, as he sits this one out due to suspension. The return of Cleverley and Barry from illness is a big boost for the home side, though, as they go in search of a fourth FA Cup win in 10 attempts against Chelsea. The reward is a walk down Wembley Way next month in the final final of this famous competition.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Kenedy; Mikel, Matic; Willian, Fabregas, Pedro; Costa
SUBS: Begovic, Baba Rahman, Terry, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Traore, Remy
Guus Hiddink makes just the one alteration to his Chelsea side, as Eden Hazard misses out - as expected - through a hip injury picked up in midweek. Nemanja Matic is the man brought in to provide some additional cover in front of the back four, but perhaps more importantly for the Blues is the inclusion of Diego Costa up top.
Costa was a doubt after limping off, like Hazard, in the defeat to PSG a few days ago. The Spanish striker, who has scored or assisted 17 goals in his last 15 outings, is given the green light to start at Goodison Park. It is a different story for club captain John Terry, though, who must wait to make his 700th appearance as he is among the subs.
Everton supporters clearly well up for this one, knowing full well that their season pretty much relies on this fixture. Defeat is not worth thinking about for either at this stage, but there will be crushing disappointment for one - unless we are forced to do it all over again at Stamford Bridge later this month.
Both sets of players have now made their way down the tunnel, with kickoff on Merseyside now just a matter of minutes away. A packed Goodison Park watches on for what is the pick of the ties in this sixth round. Crystal Palace became the first side to book their place in the final four yesterday evening, now who will join them in the hat?
KICKOFF! Chelsea, in their changed white strip, get proceedings underway at Goodison Park. Everton quickest out of the blocks, working the ball to Cleverley in a central position for the first shot of the match just 40 seconds in.
So less than a minute before the first shot on target arrived; a tame Cleverley drive being routinely stopped by Courtois. Chelsea now looking to pass the ball out from the back, working it through to the channels. Kennedy gets a shot away, but it is well over the bar.
Third shot of the match already, this time via the boot of Willian. It is blocked aside on the edge of the box, though, and Everton are able to clear the danger. Lively start to the contest but neither side yet to find their rhythm.
Plenty of cynical challenges flying in at the moment to break up play, which is not helping with the tempo in truth. From these early stages you get the impression that the first goal in this match could prove vital.
YELLOW CARD! It has taken just nine minutes for Costa to become wound-up. After coming out second best in one challenge, he quickly got up and wiped out Barry to earn himself a caution. Talk about walking a tightrope!
After a three-minute break following that Costa incident, we are now back into the flow of things. Everton still just about on top, but we have yet to see them have a go at goal since that Cleverley strike 40 seconds in.
A bizarre one this, as Lennon seemingly miscontrolls a pass into his path but still sends the ball narrowly wide of the target. Courtois looked to be rooted to his spot but the ball was always moving away from the goal.
The pace of the game has gone up a notch or two over the past couple of minutes, which will suit Everton more than their opponents. Pedro appears to be struggling with a leg injury following a real strong challenge on him a little earlier.
It has not been a classic thus far, in truth, with still those two early shots all we have seen in terms of attacking play. Patience seems to be the order of the day, with neither team wanting to make a mistake in key areas.
Costa just drifting out towards the left, with Willian waiting to charge through the middle. Good closing down from Everton at every chance, though, which has restricted their opponents to very little up top.
A ball is threaded through towards Costa, who goes to ground having seemingly been shoved. Replays show that he went down far too easily, though, with the referee correct to wave away the weak appeals. Still goalless at Goodison Park.
A quarter of the game now played on Merseyside but so far we have seen very few openings. Cleverley fired away the only on-target shot of the match so far 40 seconds in, while Kennedy blasted over soon after. That aside, it has been extremely tame so far. New Everton shareholder Farhad Moshiri is watching on from the stands this evening.
Cleverley turns well before shooting wide of goal to help increase the noise levels slightly. Everton then win a corner which comes to nothing. The Toffees still looking just about the more likely to score, with 25 minutes of this match now played.
A slow-burner of a contest, just like we witnessed last night in Berkshire. Palace's quality showed on that occasion, but this is a match between two teams separated by just two points, rather than an entire division.
Kenedy knocks the ball beyond Jagielka and is then brought down by the defender to prevent him getting on the end of his own pass. Michael Oliver got his decision spot on, though - the Brazilian was looking for the challenge and deliberately charged into his opponent.
Everton doing so well at closing down their opponents, but they just need to turn it up a little more in an attacking sense. Chelsea are there for the taking, yet Courtois has had next to nothing to do so far.
Chelsea's turn to get bodies forward as they win a throw high up the pitch. The ball does not go into the box, however, meaning another opportunity missed to test Everton's backline - minus the dropped John Stones this evening.
Near enough Chelsea's best move of the match sees Fabregas play Pedro in around the back, but the ball has slightly too much pace on it and the Spaniard is unable to prevent it running out. Robles had to be careful not to touch his opponent or else we would have seen a penalty.
Think everyone in the ground would be happy to take half time right about now. It has been a poor game of football as far as the neutral is concerned, with just the one shot on target all half and next to no attacking impetus.
More patient build-up play from the visitors counts for nothing, as Baines gets across well to clear the ball out of Costa's path. The Blues looking the more threatening now, without probing in the dangerous zones.
A very subdued Goodison Park at the moment, which has been the case from about 10 minutes in really. You have to wonder if the Toffees will step things up after the restart, or if they will continue to play so incredibly cautious.
YELLOW CARD! Jagielka swings for the ball, taking out Fabregas in the process. The centre-back timed that one completely wrong, earning a first caution of the season for his troubles. Willian will surely take this one on.
SAVE! Willian does indeed opt to shoot from around 25 yards out, forcing Robles into the first save of the match. The ball was hit right down the middle, so you would expect the Everton stopper to help that one over in the simple manner that he did.
Baines charges down the left and picks out Cleverley at the end of his attack, allowing the Englishman to curl a shot towards goal. It looked to be off target, but Courtois was there to collect regardless in what should be the last act of the half.
HALF TIME: EVERTON 0-0 CHELSEA
An extremely tepid first half of football comes to a close at Goodison Park, with the deadlock yet to have been broken. The half ended fairly well, in truth, as both teams got shots away on goal, but things can surely only get better in the second half.
When Cleverley fired in the first shot on target 40 seconds in we looked to have a real game on our hands, but that proved to be the only time Courtois was forced into meaningful action. Up the other end, just a minute or so late, Kenedy fired over the bar when picked out in a decent position - again, pretty much Chelsea's best opening of the match so far.
Robles did have one save to make, pushing over Willian's well-struck free kick just before the break in a half that did get slightly better as it went on. Hiddink and Martinez will surely have plenty to say at the interval, with this quarter-final tie still poised right on a knife edge at the midway point.
BENCH WATCH!
EVERTON SUBS: Howard, Stones, Niasse, Besic, Osman, Deulofeu, Kone
CHELSEA SUBS: Begovic, Baba Rahman, Terry, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Traore, Remy
It is worth pointing out that the last time these two sides met it was also also goalless at the break, before six goals were scored after the restart in a real thriller at Stamford Bridge. Fingers crossed for more of the same here, as the teams prepare to make their way back down the tunnel.
RESTART! Everton get us back underway at Goodison Park, already looking a little quicker with their passing. No changes made by any managers at the break, incidentally, so it is as you were in that sense.
Barkley far too deep at the moment, collecting passes and helping the ball on but not getting forward himself. Clear to see why Everton have yet to concede in this year's tournament at the moment.
CLOSE! Jagielka gets forward for a free kick, which does not even make its way into the box. From the next attack Everton to do win themselves a corner, though, which Funes Mori heads into the roof of the net. Unlucky from the centre-back!
Cahill had to get his challenge spot on to deny Lukaku charging through against his former club - a key intervention. Funes Mori won another header from the next move, but the offside flag was already up on the far side.
Baines's corner is helped on near the front post, but the ball goes right through the box and is cleared away. Both managers surely thinking about making a change or two as we approach the hour mark under the Goodison Park lights.
Barry does well to turn the ball out for a throw, meaning Chelsea now have a chance to get some bodies into advanced positions. This game is still badly lacking a spark, with both teams pretty much stuck in first gear.
CLOSE! Best moment of the half so far by some distance as Costa is slipped in by Fabregas and takes the ball beyond Robles, but he shoots right across the face of goal. The ball went almost in slow motion, ending just wide of the far post.
YELLOW CARD! We have now past the hour mark at Goodison Park, in a game that has been littered with niggling fouls all over the pitch. The latest comes via Fabregas, who goes in high on Barry to enter the referee's book.
It has been a frustrating evening for Romelu Lukaku thus far, likewise for Diego Costa up the other end. The Spaniard came close to making a breakthrough a few minutes ago, but could not find an empty net from a tight angle.
Still no sign of any changes from either bench, but that will surely change as this match goes on. It is certainly more entertaining now, with Chelsea and Everton coming out of their cage a little more in search of an opener.
Good pressure from Everton, largely thanks to Lennon who does not give up when losing the ball. The winger pounced to play in Barkley on the right, who in turn lofted one into the back post for Lukaku to attack. It was headed behind by Ivanovic, though, and Chelsea were able to defend the set-piece delivery.
SHOT! This is Everton's best spell of the match by quite some distance, culminating in Barkley smashing the ball narrowly wide of goal. Lennon was played in around the back prior to that, but had nobody to pick out as Lukaku was still making his way into the box.
Well the final third of this match has already provided more entertainment than the first two, thanks in large to the tempo moving back up to its high levels. The hosts looking the more likely to score, but by throwing bodies forward Chelsea can just as easily pounce up the other end.
Both managers know best, of course, but this game now appears to be crying out for some fresh attacking legs. We are reaching a critical period in the match - a goal now will leave the trailing side with plenty to do in a short space of time.
Lukaku so very nearly slotted in by Cleverley, but Courtois just about got to the ball first. Good to see the Everton midfielder look forward and play a ball into the box, rather than moving it sidewards. Chelsea preparing a sub now, with 16 minutes to play.
CHELSEA SUB! Willian is replaced by Oscar in what is the first alteration of the evening. Can the Brazilian make a telling difference?
Coleman has to be alert to prevent a cross from the right reaching an unmarked Kenedy. Tense times now for both teams, but it is looking increasingly likely that we will see a replay.
GOAL! EVERTON 1-0 CHELSEA (ROMELU LUKAKU)
What a superb opening goal from former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku! A fourth goal in a row for the Belgian encapsulated all of his qualities, as he held off two players before using his strength to weave through the box and buried the ball in the bottom corner. It was worth the wait!
CHELSEA SUB! Guus Hiddink forced to go attacking, withdrawing Nemanja Matic and bringing on Loic Remy in his place. Chelsea left with it all to do in these final 10 minutes.
GOAL! EVERTON 2-0 CHELSEA (ROMELU LUKAKU)
Make that five goals in his last four for Lukaku, who has single handedly won this tie for the Toffees! The Belgian beat the offside trap brilliantly, before keeping his cool and smashing the ball through Courois' legs. Game. Set. Match.
RED CARD! Diego Costa has been shown a second yellow card and therefore a red, but it could so easily have been a straight dismissal after he appeared to sink his teeth into an opponent. Terry now on in a central attacking position.
RED CARD! Barry, booked just a few moments ago, lunges in on Fabregas to earn a needless red card. Ten men apiece late on, then, but Everton boast a two-goal advantage.
EVERTON SUB! John Stones is on in place of Lennon late on. The Blues now need to simply see out the remaining two minutes of normal time at Goodison Park, and a trip to Wembley is theirs.
EVERTON SUB! Besic is now on for Barkley in the second Everton change of the evening. Chelsea throwing all they have at their opponents, with four minutes of added time due to be played.
EVERTON SUB! I wasn't joking by the way - John Terry really is being fielded up front. Hero of the moment Lukaku is now replaced by Niasse as Everton continue to break up play. Just two minutes left to play.
FULL TIME: EVERTON 2-0 CHELSEA
Everton see the game through and pick up a win that sends them into the final four of the FA Cup. A rather tepid game of football well and truly sparked into life in the final 15 minutes or so, but in the end all that mattered was Romelu Lukaku's double against his former suitors.
It is a welcome victory for Roberto Martinez, too, following what has been a difficult spell for the Spaniard of late. Well that concludes our live text coverage of events at Goodison Park, but we have two more ties to bring you tomorrow here on Sports Mole so be sure to join us then.
