Sunderland then triumphed 2-1 on penalties to progress to a Wembley showdown on March 2 against Manchester City, with Italian stopper Mannone – who has impressed for the Wearsiders following his switch from Arsenal over the summer - keeping out efforts from Adnan Januzaj and, in the final action of the shootout, Rafael.

Poyet said: ”I don’t remember another game like this one, being involved as a player or anything.

”Why? Because normally, when you score in the last minute or so you don’t expect to then concede within one or two minutes, and then if you miss the first two penalties, you don’t expect to win the game either.

”How we did it? I think we need to ask Vito Mannone – I think he can personally answer that because he has been getting better and better and he was probably the difference between the two teams.”

Poyet added: ”When Vito got into the dressing room, the whole squad and staff started singing his name and there is no better feeling for a football player.

”He was half happy, half embarrassed. It was a special night for him.”

Sunderland, who have not been in a major final since 1992 and were last in the League Cup final in 1985, were bottom of the Barclays Premier League when Poyet took over as boss in November.

They remain in the relegation zone, and reflecting on Wednesday’s game, the Uruguayan said: ”I think it is a great night for a group of players and a group of fans that have been having a very difficult season.”

In City, Sunderland – who went 1-0 down through Jonny Evans’ 37th-minute goal - have opponents in the final who are in fearsome form.

The Black Cats will start the Wembley clash as heavy underdogs, but they did beat the Blues in the league this season and Poyet believes they are capable of defeating them again.

He said: ”City are probably the most in-form team in the league, but it is just a game.

”You need to play well, play your best – to be spot on, practically perfect to win it.

”But it can happen.“