HAVE years, decades even, of painful experience taught us nothing about Everton?

The moment we start to assume that the Blues can simply turn up and win games is the moment that they will come unstuck.

And judging by the number of neutrals with torn up fixed odds coupons berating Everton on Saturday evening, it wasn’t just Evertonians and the players who were lulled into a false sense of security before taking on a Birmingham City side that is now unbeaten in 15 games.

Any feelings of hubris were wiped away by a couple of excellent goals from the visitors and a smattering of boos at half-time.

Everton had a better go after the interval but once again they struggled to break down a determined defence, and as more big clubs crashed out of the Cup we were left watching the draw on Sunday feeling like a contestant on Deal or No Deal who has to play on after taking the money early.

Away to Derby is a great tie in every respect, and Birmingham must now be a decent bet to make it to Wembley.

Life goes on though, and Everton couldn’t really ask for more amenable opponents than tonight’s, Sunderland, if they want to get right back on track.

One of Liverpool’s owners recently said that their troubles started with the infamous beachball incident at the Stadium of Light, but Steve Bruce could probably say the same, as the Black Cats, who were tipped to do good things at the start of the season, now find themselves three points behind Everton and were knocked out of the Cup themselves by Portsmouth.

What’s more, Sunderland never perform at Goodison, although we did say the same about Birmingham before the weekend. Presumably Philipe Senderos and Mikel Arteta will start the game on the bench.