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

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  1. as a chelsea fan Ratings dont count for much on the day­ of the F.A cup final..lets just hope we see a great­ game and show the world this is still the best cup­ competition in the world,,well done Everton for getting­ to final you have a great manager lets hope you get­ some funds to bolster your squad your fans deserve it­ for there loyalty..

    From ANGELA, on Fri 29 May 7:39AM
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