APPROPRIATELY, and in his typically blunt Yorkshire way, Mick McCarthy has warned those ready to party at Old Trafford on Sunday that Sunderland have so far achieved "sweet FA''.

It may be an FA Cup semi-final, and one against the only other club he has managed, but McCarthy is not the type to be swept along on a tide of emotion and sentimentality.

The pragmatic Tyke of Irish stock will keep the preparation low key this week as the clock ticks towards a momentous meeting with First Division rivals Millwall.

For the winners, there is the guarantee of a lucrative place in next season's UEFA Cup by virtue of Arsenal and Manchester United, who contest the other semi, being destined for Champions League qualification.

But, much as he would love to lead his side to the Cup final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 22 and on into Europe, returning to the Premiership remains the priority for McCarthy.

Saturday's defeat of relegation-threatened Derby brought the prospect closer as the Black Cats climbed to third place.

Dislodging neck-and-neck leaders Norwich and West Brom from the top two automatic promotion positions is a tall order but, one way or another, Cardiff beckons.

If Sunderland beat Millwall and secure one of the four play-off places, the Wearside legions will be marching on the Welsh capital on successive weekends.

But McCarthy, whose side have undergone a punishing run of games in the past month, said: "We're going to have two or three days off this week.

"It's a game coming up and I don't want anyone treating it like it's something special. The final would be special, but this is a semi-final.

"If some people want to do something different and celebrate it, fine.

"But I don't think there's sweet FA to celebrate yet. We haven't reached the final and we haven't made the play-offs or won promotion.

"It puts me off when people start treating it like a gala event. It's just a semi-final, but one we really want to win."

Pivotal to Sunderland's hopes of success this season is the form and fitness of Julio Arca.

In his first game for almost three weeks following a knee injury, the Argentinian ace imposed himself on the left side of midfield, setting up both goals.

Jason McAteer, back after nearly as long on the sidelines with an abdominal strain, is another whose influence and experience cannot be over-stated.

"It's vital we have Jason and Julio back, because they are of such importance to us,'' stressed McCarthy, who withdrew a tired Arca 14 minutes from time for on-loan Middlesbrough defender Colin Cooper.

"Julio is something special. I wouldn't say this was the best he's played under me, but he's been out for three weeks, this was his first game back, and he did very well. His level of fitness is testimony to how well he looks after himself.

"I thought even Colin coming on for him was a calming influence. To have that kind of experience in your team is nice.''

Derby boss and former Sunderland right-back George Burley underlined the point. He said: "Mick has done a great job here. He's got a good squad with experience, which is what you need in the First Division. Who is going to bet against them for promotion?

"I think the Cup is a bonus for Sunderland. They'll be looking to get straight back into the Premiership.''

Tommy Smith, who has proved a shrewd signing by McCarthy, gave Sunderland a 2-0 lead five minutes into the second half after playing a part in John Oster's 31st-minute opener.

Smith threaded an adroit ball to Arca, whose angled shot was only parried by goalkeeper Lee Grant, and Oster tucked away his first goal since mid-December.

Arca returned the compliment to Smith by providing a pinpoint centre for the striker to effect a looping header that left Grant stranded.

Derby pulled one back in the 64th minute when Sunderland skipper George McCartney was adjudged to have handled by referee Graham Salisbury and Ian Taylor converted the penalty. Paul Peschisolido and Taylor then spurned gilt-edged chances as Sunderland clung on for a third straight victory.

Result: Sunderland 2 Derby County 1.

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