Leighton Baines is convinced Everton can overcome the might of Manchester City to deliver a “massive” Wembley final.
The Goodison hero knows few sides would relish the prospect of having to go to the Etihad in search of a result that will see them through a Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.
City are overwhelming ­favourites to progress on Wednesday, but with the Merseyside club requiring just a draw to progress after following their 2-1 first-leg victory at Goodison, Baines insists the visit holds no fears for the Toffees.
And after some disappointing results in recent weeks have incurred the wrath of ­frustrated fans and damaged their Premier League hopes in the process, defender Baines knows a Wembley visit would offer a huge lift.
He explained: “Getting to the final is massive for all of us.
In pictures — Everton win the semi-final's first leg at Goodison:
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Everton's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game.
“It’s a tough semi to come through and you don’t always want to talk too much about what it might mean, because there is still a lot of work to do before then.
“But the truth of it is, we know we can beat Manchester City.
“We have just beaten them in the first leg and drawn against them in the league and another result like that would see us through. So we have just got to match what we have done in our last couple of games against them and we will be in the final.
"Of course, it is easier to say than do.

Everton's Gareth Barry (R) vies with Manchester City's Raheem Sterling


Same again: A repeat of the recent 0-0 in the Prem at the Etihad will do for Everton
“City are a top side, and I am sure they will come out fast and try to get a goal, but we will be prepared for that and we’re capable of scoring ourselves. We will be ready.”
Left-back Baines, 31, admits results have not been good enough and Sunday’s wretched home defeat by Swansea seems to have trashed claims by manager Roberto Martinez that they can still aim for the top four.
Stand-in skipper Gareth Barry admits those chances are now gone, but he believes this Cup visit to his previous club can resurrect their season – and give Everton impetus to aim for a Europa League place instead.
In pictures — Everton 1-2 Swansea:
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Andre Ayew celebrates with team mates after scoring the second goal for Swansea

Barry said: “We have big games coming up in cup competitions. We focus on a huge game against Manchester City and hopefully we can get the fans positive again and then return to the league.
“The top four is going to be really tough – we are going to have to go on some sort of run to get there.
“If we are going to set a target then the top six is more realistic.
“There is still a lot of football to be played in the league but with the players we’ve got and the ability we have, it means we can go on a run until the end of the season.”