FA Cup - Cup final: Player ratings

Eurosport - Fri, 29 May 11:23:00 2009

We run the rule over the starting line-ups ahead of the clash at Wembley.

FOOTBALL 2008-09 Premier League Everton's Phil Neville fights for the ball with Chelsea's Florent Malouda. - 0

CHELSEA

Goalkeeper

1-PETR CECH (7) Cech has suffered several uncharacteristic dips in form this season and has not been formidable last line of defence Chelsea fans have come to expect. However, he produced a superb display in the Champions League semi-final first leg in Barcelona to keep the Spanish champions at bay and his place is not under threat.

Defenders

17-JOSE BOSINGWA (8) Established himself as the club's first-choice right-back after signing from Porto a year ago. Offers plenty of attacking options with his energy up and down the right flank. Has also proved versatile, having covered on the left from time to time.

26-JOHN TERRY (9) Chelsea's captain continues to lead by example, throwing himself headlong into the fray week in, week out. Not the quickest defender, but reads the game instinctively and is fearless in the tackle. A goal threat from set pieces although he has not scored as many as normal this season.

33-ALEX (7) A hulking Brazilian barrier at the back, Alex has proved a valuable asset to the squad with injuries ruling out Ricardo Carvalho for long periods. Has a thunderbolt shot and should retain a starting place for the final.

3-ASHLEY COLE (8) A fixture at left-back for club and country with great pace and ball control. Has avoided the niggling injuries that afflicted him for the last two seasons and is one of Chelsea's most reliable performers.

Midfielders

5-MICHAEL ESSIEN (9) An imposing and versatile midfielder, Chelsea badly missed him for most of the season after he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury while on international duty with Ghana. Since returning he has quickly clicked into gear, scoring a cracker against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final.

8-FRANK LAMPARD (9) Voted the club's player of the season for the third time recently after another impressive campaign. Always lurking in the spaces behind the forwards, Lampard has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time, scoring many goals from outside the area. His sharp brains also allows him to pick out devastating early passes.

13-MICHAEL BALLACK (7) The Germany international is an intimidating sight in midfield. Good on the ball and a real menace in the air, Ballack also revels in the physical battles that are likely to develop in the FA Cup final.

15-FLORENT MALOUDA (7) The winger has flourished this season after a disappointing start to his Chelsea career following his £13.5 million move from Lyon. His form improved markedly after Guus Hiddink took charge and he was outstanding against Arsenal in the semi-final.

Forwards

11-DIDIER DROGBA (8) Often cast as the pantomime villain of English football with his theatrical performances, there is no doubting the Ivory Coast skipper's class. Appeared disinterested early on in the season under Scolari, but is back to his best under Hiddink and remains a terrifying prospect for defenders with his pace, power and his ability on the deck and in the air.

39-NICOLAS ANELKA (8) The Frenchman has often been described as moody and not being able to play in tandem with another striker, but has proved his critics wrong with an exceptional season. Scored a wonder goal against Sunderland last weekend to win the Premier League Golden Boot award with 19. Has benefitted from playing in a central position after being exiled to the flanks under Scolari and Avram Grant.

EVERTON

Goalkeeper

24-TIM HOWARD (7) The former Manchester United keeper and U.S. international has provided a calm, solid presence all season. Unspectacular but his error count is low - Everton in a nutshell.

Defenders

2-TONY HIBBERT (6) Tenacious right-back who has become a regular after Phil Neville's move to midfield.

4-JOSEPH YOBO (6) Brought back into the first team after injury to Phil Jagielka and quickly gelled with Joleon Lescott in a powerful centre-back pairing. Athletic Nigerian international.

5-JOLEON LESCOTT (7) Another strong, classy centre-back who is now a regular in the England squad. Only five goals this season compared with 10 the year before but still a danger at set-pieces.

3-LEIGHTON BAINES (7) After a sticky first year when he arrived from Wigan Athletic, became established left-back this season. Has lovely left-footed deliver and is often deployed as a virtual wing-back.

Midfielders

17-TIM CAHILL (8) A phenomenal season for the Australian midfielder, who has underlined his reputation as one of the most dangerous headers of the ball in the game with a series of key goals. Tireless worker who has often filled in as a lone attacker during injury crisis and Everton's most likely match winner.

18-PHIL NEVILLE (8) Won all sorts of silverware as a full-back with Manchester United and 59 caps for England but has reinvented himself as a midfield anchor at Goodison. Has won over the initially sceptical fans with his absolute commitment and, as captain, leads by example.

20-STEVEN PIENAAR (7) Has grown in confidence as the season progressed and ended the league campaign as, in the absence of injured Mikel Arteta, the team's most creative midfielder. South African international with endless energy.

21-LEON OSMAN (6) Product of the club's academy who has finally established himself as a midfield regular. Clever and incisive passer who warmed up with both goals in Everton's 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday in their final league game of the season.

25-MAROUANE FELLAINI (7) Everton's record signing at the start of the season soon had the fans on his side, and not just for his wild hair. Dangerous in the air, good in possession and aggressive in the tackle, he is a vital part of the midfield. Has collected 13 yellow cards this season.

Forward

9-LOUIS SAHA (7) French international whose Everton years have been blighted by injury. When fit, he is strong in the air and a good target man but has looked short of sharpness in his few full games.

TOTAL: CHELSEA 87-76 EVERTON

Reuters

Comment 2 - 21 of 41

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  1. come on Everton

    From jacksonfraserhague, on Fri 29 May 11:16AM
  2. I just want a good game to watch because the summer­ will be boring for me. Will travel to Africa and see­ some sights!!!

    From Erskine Sam, on Fri 29 May 10:57AM
  3. chelsea will obviuosly beat everton.come on chelsea­ keep the faith.

    From ameer.mohammad, on Fri 29 May 10:49AM
  4. I WANT EVERTON TO WIN RATHER THAN CHELSEA,
    AS THEY ARE­ DIRTY PLAYERS, DONT THEY DONT DESERVE ANY PRAISE OR­ RESPECT.
    SO COME ON EVERTON, WIN WIN WIN....

    From Christina, on Fri 29 May 10:24AM
  5. i can understand why barcelona fans are backing up­ chelsea to win

    From papaogos, on Fri 29 May 10:22AM
  6. once a chelsea fan always one!!!!
    blue blooded­ carnival

    Norman Stock Dimba

    From dimbanorman, on Fri 29 May 9:34AM
  7. Leys hope Everton don't put 11 men behind the ball­ & make it another boring final. Mind you if they­ don't Chelsea will murder them, so lets see! Mank­ utd tried to outplay Barca & look what happened!

    From Tony, on Fri 29 May 9:23AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE IT.CHELSEA IN THE FINAL OF THE FA­ CUP.ALL CATALONIA WISHING CHELSEA THAT THEIR TACTICS­ WORK!

    From stavros h, on Fri 29 May 9:14AM
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Post no. 10, read post no. 3 for the reason why­ Liverpool fans are supporting Everton.

    From johnnymercyside, on Fri 29 May 9:06AM
  10. #7 - Bit of a sweeping generalization there. I am in­ Birmingham, don't support either Everton or Chelsea­ but want Chelsea to win.

    That is the problem when you­ try to speak for everybody, you can be certain that you­ will be wrong!

    From Nige, on Fri 29 May 9:05AM
  11. 2.1 or 2.0 Chelsea, this is our last chance to send the­ fans home with s smile for the summer, Wembley on a­ sunny day is the best place in the whole of London,­ especially when blue is the colour.

    From Ant, on Fri 29 May 8:59AM
  12. drogba really "remains a terrifying prospect for­ defenders" because everyone knows how he can jump­ from a simplest touch..

    From Tigran, on Fri 29 May 8:58AM
  13. It's funny to see the reds half support Everton,­ they just jealous, why? They're trophyless this­ season, Man U got the very last trophy they want, poor­ reds... This FA will belongs to Chelsea, no doubt, and­ what a child of Benitez, Reds better than Devils? Oh,­ come on, Devils deserve it, they wasted the least­ point, eventhough they lost more than you, and funny­ some says fit all season they'll win it, this is­ football, you can't depend on one player, and­ injuries is part of it

    From ahmadinejad89, on Fri 29 May 8:36AM
  14. lets hope for a good clean game both teams a good match­ for skill and players come on guys shake hands and play­ well good luck both sides

    From PENOLOPE, on Fri 29 May 8:32AM
  15. terence
    -----------
    i think its fair to say that­ everyone barring chelsea fans is supporting everton.­ even liverpool apparently! im hoping everton can win­ it. birmingham supports everton!!
    2-1 everon. late­ cahill header anyone?
    boing boing

    From Angus, on Fri 29 May 8:29AM
  16. I want Chelsea to win something under hiddink despite i­ am not a Chelsea fan. The guy is just amazing.

    From Half A Brain, on Fri 29 May 8:23AM
  17. its the fa cup and somtimes any thing can happen but i­ think chelsea are angry and reallly up for this one so­ there fore think it be physical but good game tim­ cahill dangerman after all is done and dusted chelsea­ will win it lets hope its a cup final to remeber 3- 2­ would be nice

    From mickyboy, on Fri 29 May 8:21AM
  18. it would be great to see an Everton win and bring the­ cup back to Goodison , its also nice to see the red­ half giving us support , lets hope it is a good game­ COYB

    From TERENCE E, on Fri 29 May 8:07AM
  19. I'm a liverppol fan but as the pundit goes, support­ the underdogs as Everrton has shown grit and passion­ for the game. thier fighting ability will drive them­ throu. Though as expected Chealsea is full of classy­ players but hard tackling and gritty play can win the­ day

    From Subra, on Fri 29 May 7:59AM
  20. Everton & David moyes deserve to win this with the­ amount of money they`ve had to spend on players­ compared to the big spenders of chelsea. C`mon­ Everton.......
    From the red half of Merseyside.

    From Bike 69, mabaho ka !, on Fri 29 May 7:49AM
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