Everton’s reward for comfortably beating Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals is a semi-final two-legged tie with Manchester City.
City are three times winners of the trophy and are top of the Premier League. The Toffees couldn’t have asked for a tougher tie.
Everton have never won the Capital One Cup
The first leg of the tie will take place at Goodison Park on Wednesday 6 January at 8PM BST with the return leg at the Etihad Stadium on the 26 January.
Everton will likely need a big performance in their home leg to have a chance of reaching the final with a possible Merseyside Derby with Liverpool in the offering. They will have to overcome Stoke City over two legs to have a chance of setting that up.
The Blues have never won the competition and are seeking to capture their first piece of silverware since 1995.
Manchester City don't take this cup lightly
While some clubs may see the Capital One Cup as a secondary trophy that is a distraction, Manchester City take it as serious as possible.
Manuel Pellegrini likes to name a strong side, no matter who the opposition are and barring injuries, Everton will face them at their best.
Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne will the obvious dangermen but the one player who always troubles the Toffees, Yaya Toure, will be the one to watch.
Toure can dominate games by himself, especially against Everton where he has scored the winning goal on a number of occasions.
January will be a tough run for the Blues
The draw against Manchester City will make an already difficult January for the Toffees just that bit more difficult.
The first tie is only three days after Everton host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League. The return leg is also three days after the Toffees host Swansea City.
The Blues will meet Manchester City only a week after the first leg at the Etihad in the Premier League on January 13.
These fixtures may be subject to change with the FA Cup third round proper beginning on Saturday 9 January.
Everton only face one away trip to Chelsea during the month of January while City have to travel to Watford and West Ham United but have no long distance Champions League commitments ahead of them.