Smith strikes for Cats

FA CUP specialist Tommy Smith struck again to fire First Division Sunderland into their first semi-final for 12 years.

Sunderland 1 Sheffield United 0

The 23-year-old striker, who dumped the Black Cats out of the competition in the fifth round last season with a twice-taken penalty and redeemed himself in the fifth round this year with an extra-time double in a replay at Birmingham, settled a tense tie with a superb 15th-minute effort to leave the Wearside faithful thinking back to 1973 and the possibility of an unlikely repeat.

Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy is understandably hoping to be paired with either fellow First Division club Millwall or Second Division side Tranmere in the last four when the draw is made today. The alternatives are Premiership heavyweights Arsenal or Manchester United, however, although McCarthy feels that virtually nothing can stop the Gunners from making it a hat-trick of consecutive cup triumphs.

"I saw Arsenal yesterday and they looked unbeatable," he said. "I think if we all gang up on them then we might beat them. If we just have a final of Manchester United, us and either Tranmere or Millwall against Arsenal then we might have a chance. Scrap the semi three versus one and we will be all right."

McCarthy refused to be too upbeat with the win, particularly as promotion from Division One remains the priority and with his side up against Preston on Wednesday.

Beaten Blades boss Neil Warnock described his players as "wimps" following a dismal first-half display which left his side with an uphill struggle in the second period.

SUNDERLAND: Poom, Wright, Breen, Babb, McCartney, Oster (Thornton 84), McAteer, Whitley, Arca (Thirlwell 76), Kyle, Tommy Smith (Stewart 84).

SHEFF UTD: Kenny, Phil Jagielka, Page, Morgan, Kozluk, Parkinson (Wright 45), Montgomery, McCall (Peschisolido 45), Tonge, Ward (Allison 8), Ndlovu.

Referee: S Dunn (Gloucestershire).