The Final Game of the Season: The FA Cup Final

By: Rob | May 29th, 2009

While the season for most sides is now over, two teams get to play out the traditional season closer with very different things at stake. For Chelsea, a chance to put a good end to a somewhat rocky season and a nice send off to Guus Hiddink, for Everton the chance to cap off a great season where they finished just outside the Champions League places.

Chelsea last lifted the cup on their last visit to the final, in 2007, after a horrendously boring match with Man United was only lit up by a brilliant Frank Lampard pass and a good Drogba finish. It was not a classic, and all I remember feeling is relief that someone had scored so the game could end. Chelsea won 1-0.

Everton last lifted the cup on their last visit to the final, although that was back in 1995. Paul Rideout put in the only goal in a 1-0 over, you guessed it, Manchester United. 1994/5 was supposed to be the season Man United won the quintuple (then consisting of the European Cup, Premier League, Youth Cup, FA Cup and Coca-Cola (now Carling) Cup) but they ended up with just the youth cup.

What I’m looking forward to is a pretty even match. Everton, as they showed against Man United in the semi-final, and time and time against other teams this season, is that they can mix it with the best of them.

Unless there is an early goal though, its tough to see it being a classic. Everton have relied on a strong midfield, due to their lack of strikers and exceptional back four (though they will be without semi-final hero Phil Jagielka) to choke games out.

Chelsea meanwhile still often like to approach big games in that way. They have a meatgrinder midfield that can make even the most influential midfields (c.f Barcelona) disappear for long periods.

What has to be pointed out is the sides differing cup runs. While Arsenal are the only Premier League team to have stood in the way of Chelsea making the final, Everton have come up against Manchester United, Liverpool, Boro and Aston Villa.

Everton are not without cup final experience. Louis Saha is pushing for a start after a return from fitness, and indeed Tim Cahill played for Millwall in the 2004 final against Manchester United. Needless to say, this final will be a different experience, whatever the scoreline.

Some previous cup finals involving these sides to get you in the mood