Blues reach FA Cup Final

After 120 minutes of agonising football, and a penalty shootout, Everton emerged victorious over Manchester United to progress to the FA Cup Final, where they will face Chelsea, who beat Arsenal yesterday.

In the 20th Anniversary year of Hillsborough, it is perhaps only fitting that Merseyside has a team in the final.

Hboro tribute Everton flag

Manchester United stunned everybody by playing what the pundits were calling a weakened team, with Rooney, Ronaldo and Van der Sar not even making the bench.

After extra time the game was at a stalemate, although Sir Alex was annoyed at referee Mike Riley for refusing his side what he thought was a clear cut penalty earlier in the game – maybe David Moyes’ mind games earlier in the week worked and Mr Riley didn’t want to show any favouritism to the team he supposedly supports!!

Tim Cahill missed Everton‘s first penalty, but keeper Tim Howard saved United’s first two efforts from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand.

Leighton Baines, Phil Neville and James Vaughan were fortunately on target for Everton, although Nemanja Vidic and Anderson responded in kind for United.

Jagielka calmly slotted home the decisive penalty to send one half of Wembley wild. David Moyes raced onto the pitch to celebrate with his players, and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright was in tears up in the Directors box!

While United must now turn their attentions back to the Premiership and the Champions League, our neighbours down at Goodison have an FA Cup final to look forward too.

And I’ve no doubt we’ll all want them to bring home the trophy. It is only fitting, after all.