League Cup heartbreak has inspired Everton - Martinez
Everton reached the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over AFC Bournemouth and Roberto Martinez wants a last-four showdown.
Roberto Martinez says Everton are inspired to reach Wembley as a result of their League Cup semi-final heartache after they saw off AFC Bournemouth 2-0 in the FA Cup fifth round.
Goals from Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku sealed the visitors' place in the quarter-finals following a crucial first-half penalty save from Joel Robles.
Everton were beaten in the last four of the League Cup by Manchester City in controversial circumstances, with Kevin De Bruyne's goal in the 3-1 second-leg win for City allowed to stand despite the ball having clearly gone out of play in the build-up.
And Martinez, for whom the decision still rankles, says his side are determined to go far in the FA Cup to make amends for that defeat.
"I thought it was a really important performance for us," he told BBC Sport. "In the first half we were not anywhere near our level but the second half was a real change.
"We scored twice and it put us in a position we were in before [in the Premier League match], we had a 2-0 lead here last time but could not manage the game but this time we did.
"Another clean sheet keeps the consistency from our last four performances. We look a really strong team now going into the final part of the season and I am really proud of going into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"We will take it step by step. It was important that we showed we can adapt to this game, now we want to get a really good period in the league. The only thing that has been missing has been wins at home and we are looking to change that.
"The League Cup semi-final gave us an inspiration to want to be at Wembley every chance we can. Clearly the group is hungry for that kind of occasion."