HE WAS the star performer the last time Everton won a major trophy, and the man who converted the most valuable penalty in Wigan Athletic’s recent history.

So when his two former clubs go head to head this weekend, with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake for the winner, is it fair to suggest that David Unsworth can’t really lose?

The answer, it seems, is a resounding ‘no’. He may retain an affection for Wigan, but his five-month spell in Lancashire pales when compared to the dozen years, and the two stints, spent in the Royal Blue of Everton. Unsworth knows exactly where his heart will lie come Saturday afternoon.

“It will always be Everton for me,” he says. “It’s where I spent the majority of my career, it’s where I had my best days, and it’s the club I will always follow.

“I had a good time at Wigan towards the back end of my career, and I’ve got a lot of time for the club. It’s a great club, and it is wonderful to see them continuing to punch above their weight in the Premier League.

“But come Saturday, the only result I will be hoping for is an Everton win. I would love nothing more than to see them go all the way – and I wouldn’t mind a nice trip to Wembley with my pals to watch them either!”

Unsworth was a fresh-faced 21-year-old the last time Everton lifted the FA Cup. His performance against Manchester United in the final at Wembley, in which he stifled the threat of Mark Hughes, marked him out as one of English football’s brightest prospects. Three weeks later, he made his England debut in a friendly against Japan.

And though he would go on to make more than 500 career appearances, the bulk of them for Everton, that summer of 1995 remains a high point.

The 39-year-old, though, says he is desperate to see that class of 95 emulated by the current Everton side. And he believes that this season presents as good a chance as any.

“I’ve just got this feeling for Everton this season,” he admits. “Which is strange really, because I’m not usually like that!

“I just think that with the way the cup has gone this season, and with the team Everton have and the way they have been playing, they have a great chance.

“They had a little bit of a wobble at the turn of the year, and they have dropped a few points of late, but at this stage of the competition a home draw is all any side could ask for. Wigan are a decent side on their day with some very good players, but Everton have got to fancy their chances. I certainly do.

“Then once Wigan are out the way, the hope is that they can avoid the big boys in the semi-finals and draw the winner of the Millwall versus Blackburn Rovers tie. Of course they will have to beat one of the big sides if they are to win the cup, but you’d rather face them in the final then the semis, that’s for sure.”

Unsworth is currently head of coaching at League One side Sheffield United, overseeing the development of an Academy that has produced a raft of talent in recent seasons. Matthew Lowton and Kyle Walker came through the ranks at Bramall Lane and are now Premier League regulars.

So too, of course, is another former Blade, Phil Jagielka. The centre-back will be missing for Everton this weekend, following the ankle injury sustained against Reading on Saturday. Unsworth sees the England man’s absence as a big blow, but has backed Johnny Heitinga to step in as cover, despite the Dutchman’s recent woes.

“Being without Jagielka is a big loss,” he says. “He has been consistently excellent for them this season, so he will be missed on Saturday.

“But Heitinga is an international centre-half. People forget that. I know he’s had a few problems, but on his day he is a class defender, and Everton should have no worries about asking him to fill in.”

IT WAS the penalty which decided the future of two clubs. Bramall Lane, driving rain, May 2007. David Unsworth, representing Wigan, stepped up against Sheffield United, the club he had left just four months previously. Both were staring down the relegation barrel.

Score, and Wigan would stay up. Miss, and United were safe. He had missed a penalty for the Blades earlier in the season, but this time, in Wigan colours, he found the net (left). United have not been back to the Premier League since.

“I never had any worries over taking penalties,” says Unsworth. “For me, it was a free shot from 12 yards, a free goal. I’m always amazed when I see strikers refusing to step up, to be honest.

“That Wigan penalty (left), I never really considered its importance. To me, it was just a penalty that needed to be scored. I suppose when you look back on it, it was a really important one, but it didn’t feel that way at the time.

“Leighton Baines is the man now, where penalties are concerned. He strikes the ball cleanly – a lefty, like me – and he always seems cool and calm. But like I say, to me, it amazes me that strikers don’t grab the ball whenever there’s a penalty.”

Though his career was forged more on stopping goals than scoring them, David Unsworth boasts one Premier League record to be proud of.

With 38 goals, he ranks as the highest-scoring defender in Premier League history, comfortably clear of the likes of John Terry, Ian Harte and William Gallas.

Of course, 22 of those strikes came via the penalty spot. Not that Unsworth ever had a problem with stepping up from 12 yards of course.

David Unsworth

BORN 16/10/73, Chorley

CLUBS Everton 1991-97 (116 games, 11 league goals); West Ham 97-98 (32, 2); Everton 98-04 (188, 23); Porstmouth 04 (15, 2); Ipswich 05 (16, 1); Sheff Utd 05-07 (39, 4); Wigan 07 (10, 1); Burnley 07-08 (29, 1); Huddersfield 08-09 (4, 0)