Glory or consolation on offer in FA Cup final?
-
Glory or consolation on offer in FA Cup final
LONDON - Saturday's FA Cup final gives Everton the chance to cap an impressive season with rare silverware while for Chelsea it offers little more than a minor consolation in another frustrating campaign.
Chelsea will want a rousing send-off for manager Guus Hiddink but having lost so painfully to Barcelona in the Champions League semis and finishing third in the league, it will not be easy to motivate themselves.
They bounced back from the Barcelona disappointment to hammer Arsenal 4-1 but Everton are a different prospect.
While not quite the "Dogs of War" who celebrated their narrow escape from relegation by harrying Manchester United into submission to win the final 1-0 14 years ago, they are still a fiercely competitive team.
Belgian Marouane Fellaini, with 13 yellow cards to his name in his first season of English football, Leon Osman, Steven Pienaar and captain Phil Neville do not look on paper to be a match for Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien.
The Toffees have also often struggled to field a fit striker of any sort this season, let alone one of the pedigree of Didier Drogba or 25-goal Nicolas Anelka.
GOALLESS DRAW
Yet they have more than held their own with most Premier League opposition, including Chelsea, when Everton had much the better of last month's goalless draw at Stamford Bridge and drew 0-0 at Goodison in December.
"The players have been very good and they know they are getting ready for a big game," said David Moyes, whose achievements on a meagre budget earned him manager of the season award for the third time this week.
"There is no doubt they have improved as players and we have got momentum with us. There is a real desire and hunger about these players. Everybody at this club has longed to get to another FA Cup final."
Everton's route to the final shows they are a match for anyone after overcoming Liverpool, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Manchester United, on penalties.
Even when they lost midfielder Mikel Arteta, their most creative force, and England centre back Phil Jagielka, Everton kept their momentum and finished strongly to overhaul Villa and finish fifth in the league for the second season running.
While that represents real success for Moyes, Chelsea expect much more for the investment of Roman Abramovich.
Hiddink, who will return to his role as Russia coach after Saturday, said there was a real will to get up one more time.
"Normally at the end of the season you have players who fade away a bit but none whatsoever in this group -- the internal motivation is high," said the Dutchman.
"It's a final with worldwide attention, real football people love to watch this and to get some silverware would be perfect."
-
This time i'm going to support The Mersey BlueNoses ......
Cos David Moyes really deserve something ....
It's amazing to achieve so much with such a tight budget for players .... Considering the amount of $$$ teams like Spurs , Man City spent .
Moyes and lads will get my support .
I am so sure Chelsea will make me rich like Man Utd did .
Chelsea definitely tagged favourite , meaning to get an Everton win , will be quite good money .
-
i got a feeling Chelsea's old legs are too tired .
i felt a strong sense Everton to give it their best shot ....
They win The FA Cup , then Mersey Reds will be in trouble ...LOL .
Surely kena from those Blue Noses .... LOL
-
win/lose/draw
liverpool is still without a trophy this season
GO BLUES x2!
-
win or lose ...Newcastle is in Coca Cola Championship next season .
Pls stick to related post . Dun embarass urself as a Newcastle fan .
-
and sorry ... just in case u like Chelsea too , Chelsea last chance , if Everton wins ...oh dear , Chelsea won nothing ? Then aiyoyo , then dunno who will bash u up ?
See guys , this is a prove that in this thread , who spilled the oil first ?
And pls dun blame us for bashing you back .... and u cried saying we bashed u up .
-
ok back to the thread .
-
And ya , pls remember that u post comments like this ...... u better pray hard Chelsea wins , or else ...... any Liverpool fans who saw , and will return those comments after the macth and u also cannot tahan , i for one , i swear , will not embarass u if Everton wins .
I say it and i meant it .
-
Originally posted by Poolman:
And ya , pls remember that u post comments like this ...... u better pray hard Chelsea wins , or else ...... any Liverpool fans who saw , and will return those comments after the macth and u also cannot tahan , i for one , i swear , will not embarass u if Everton wins .
I say it and i meant it .
dont say any liverpool fans pls, cause i will not
-
who win doesn't matter.
because its not liverpool
Cheers
-
Cheers to newcastle ..... oops sorry again , Chelsea , whoever u support . -
Originally posted by limpper:
dont say any liverpool fans pls, cause i will not
any ..... just any , not me not you . I'll be surprised a Mr.Nice Man like you would do that .... -
I too hope everton win this... Moyes has done a fantastic job at Everton and i tink he deserves a trophy
-
Originally posted by youyayu:
NewCastle United Football Club.....
........ Newcastle or Chelsea ???
Very confusing leh .....
08 Jun `08, 4:22PM u replied ..... so coming one day u changed your mind ????
Go and edit leh , if u cannot find page , here it is > http://sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/258941?page=7
Go change to whatever new glory u hunting next . FA CUP Glory now ?
-
if i were you , i'll stick thin & thin with Newcastle ...... drink coke temporary only .... drink beer can drink a long time ....
-
Not matter how good everton is, Chelsea is still a better team. Chelsea will win the FA cup.
-
Originally posted by Poolman:
........ Newcastle or Chelsea ???
Very confusing leh .....
08 Jun `08, 4:22PM u replied ..... so coming one day u changed your mind ????
Go and edit leh , if u cannot find page , here it is > http://sgforums.com/forums/2497/topics/258941?page=7
Go change to whatever new glory u hunting next . FA CUP Glory now ?
i give you a hint
http://sgforums.com/forums/2755/topics/352350
and wow. you actually free enough to go dig out my post. cab business must be good eh?
-
i quit taxi last September , why ? When free go Taxi Forum la , Volvo actually make me a Mod , but i bashed up a guy called something mushroom , after that i resign ? Mod cannot so bad discipline , owner can . Now got business set-up , so quit for a while .
No wonder u kept saying NUFC , then Chelsea , then MU , walan eh .... i also blur .
Ok ok .... got proof , but got valid reason , acceptable reason . I liberal one , got valid reason , i can understand . Traffic Police also won't anyhow give summon to taxi driver for nothing , they give chance also .
-
Originally posted by Poolman:
i quit taxi last September , why ? When free go Taxi Forum la , Volvo actually make me a Mod , but i bashed up a guy called something mushroom , after that i resign ? Mod cannot so bad discipline , owner can . Now got business set-up , so quit for a while .
No wonder u kept saying NUFC , then Chelsea , then MU , walan eh .... i also blur .
Ok ok .... got proof , but got valid reason , acceptable reason . I liberal one , got valid reason , i can understand . Traffic Police also won't anyhow give summon to taxi driver for nothing , they give chance also .
okay la. everything stop here.
hope we can be friends.
i no like enermy...
I actually Support Westham/Chelsea..
NUFC is actually because of Shearer. Man Utd because of Beckham. -
-
ok thats good. im hoping everton will win.. moyes has done a brilliant job man.. although chelsea has the strength to trash them
-
everton deserve this sliverware
-
Moyes definitely deserves it, but hinddik also deserves it. Its the battle of two good managers.
-
Hmm.. I think Chelsea will be able to nick this.. But who knows, everton may pull of a surprise.. =P
-
everton always surprises..
Well not always..