Sunderland coach Gus Poyet says he would take Premier League survival over cup glory despite seeing his team edge closer to a second big day at Wembley Stadium.
The League Cup finalists marched into the FA Cup quarters with a 1-0 win over Southampton to leave their fans dreaming of a second opportunity to end the club’s 41-year wait for silverware.
However, they remain entrenched in a relegation fight and that remains Poyet’s priority.
Reminded that Bob Stokoe, who led the club to FA Cup glory in 1973, is commemorated by a statue at the Stadium of Light, Poyet, 46, said: “Me, I would prefer to stay in the Premier League.
“Apparently to be more famous, it’s better to win the cup. I don’t want any more people knowing me, I think they know me enough, so I would prefer to stay in the Premier League. I am not looking for a statue, that’s for sure. It’s a personal feeling. I can’t answer for anybody else, it’s me. I would be devastated if we go down, so it’s me.
“At the same time, I have to say if we win the cup, I am going to be jumping up and down and I am going to be wanting to come back here and celebrate with the fans.”
Sunderland face Manchester City in the League Cup final on March 2 and could be just 90 minutes away from a second trip to Wembley, which will host the FA Cup semi-finals and final.
A game of little genuine quality was settled four minutes into the second half when midfielder Craig Gardner smashed past goalkeeper Kelvin Davis off the underside of the crossbar from 22 yards.
Holders Wigan Athletic are also through to the last eight after the Championship club – who were relegated three days after winning last season’s trophy – saw off Premier League Cardiff City 2-1.
Frazier Campbell cancelled out Chris McCann’s 18th-minute opener for Wigan, but Ben Watson, who scored the goal that secured the trophy last May against Manchester City, fired in a winner from an indirect free kick five minutes before the break.
