Evans awe-struck by World Cup dream

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Evans scored his first goal for Northern Ireland in the 3-2 victory against Poland in a qualifier at Windsor Park. The result took the province to the top of Group Three with another home match to follow on Wednesday when Slovenia arrive in Belfast.

"I am no different to anyone else, to play in the World Cup finals would be unbelievable," said Evans. "It was a tremendous result for us against Poland. There was a great atmosphere and we battled hard."

He added: "We have done really well and hopefully we can take that performance into Wednesday."

Warren Feeney made the breakthrough in the 10th minute only for Ireneusz Jelen to equalise for Poland before half-time.

However the province came storming back and Evans restored their lead a minute into the second half when he got on the end of a corner from Grant McCann.

Northern Ireland then sealed the points with a bizarre own goal from Michal Zewlakow in the 61st minute, his back pass going over the feet of Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

Southampton's Marek Saganowski stepped off the bench to get a second but it was too little too late.

Reflecting on his goal, Evans said: "It was a great ball in from Grant and I thought the goalkeeper was coming for it. I just stuck my leg in and it went in. It was a poacher's finish!

"There was something about this week that was different. I said to my dad, when I was on the phone to him, that I had a good feeling about it and we were really confident."