Phil Neville after the FA Cup Final defeat
Although Chelsea were dominant, they did offer Everton a glimmer of encouragement on half-time when Cech fumbled a routine Leighton Baines cross behind for a corner.
Although Chelsea were dominant, they did offer Everton a glimmer of encouragement on half-time when Cech fumbled a routine Leighton Baines cross behind for a corner.
Poor Hibbert, who has often struggled in the heat, was replaced at the break by Lars Jacobsen with Cahill moved up to support Saha as Moyes sought to quell the swelling yellow tide.
Poor Hibbert, who has often struggled in the heat, was replaced at the break by Lars Jacobsen with Cahill moved up to support Saha as Moyes sought to quell the swelling yellow tide.
It worked, Everton enjoying much better possession although Chelsea remained a threat, Nicolas Anelka lobbing over from Lampard’s lofted pass.
It worked, Everton enjoying much better possession although Chelsea remained a threat, Nicolas Anelka lobbing over from Lampard’s lofted pass.
After Cahill charged down a John Terry clearance but sent an opportunist first-time shot at Cech, a quickly-taken free-kick gave Leighton Baines the chance to deliver a fine cross that an unmarked Saha headed over from 12 yards.
After Cahill charged down a John Terry clearance but sent an opportunist first-time shot at Cech, a quickly-taken free-kick gave Leighton Baines the chance to deliver a fine cross that an unmarked Saha headed over from 12 yards.
But Everton fell behind for the first time on 72 minutes when Chelsea’s best passing move of the half ended with Lampard unleashing a brilliant left-footed shot that Howard’s fingertips could not keep out.
But Everton fell behind for the first time on 72 minutes when Chelsea’s best passing move of the half ended with Lampard unleashing a brilliant left-footed shot that Howard’s fingertips could not keep out.
Chelsea then sought to kill off the game. A clearly offside Malouda was wrongly allowed to the chance to shoot wastefully over after being sent clear by Lampard’s pass.
Chelsea then sought to kill off the game. A clearly offside Malouda was wrongly allowed to the chance to shoot wastefully over after being sent clear by Lampard’s pass.
Everton, though, were grateful for the flag staying down again moments later when Malouda unleashed a venomous 25-yard shot that beat Howard, struck the crossbar and landed behind the line before bouncing back into the field of play.
Everton, though, were grateful for the flag staying down again moments later when Malouda unleashed a venomous 25-yard shot that beat Howard, struck the crossbar and landed behind the line before bouncing back into the field of play.
Play on, said the officials. But television replays confirmed what the naked eye suspected; it should have been a goal.
Play on, said the officials. But television replays confirmed what the naked eye suspected; it should have been a goal.
Cahill shot wide in the final minute but Everton, whose season has been littered with late goals, couldn’t quite conjure an equaliser.
Cahill shot wide in the final minute but Everton, whose season has been littered with late goals, couldn’t quite conjure an equaliser.
EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert (Jacobsen 46), Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Osman (Gosling 83), Neville, Cahill, Pienaar; Fellaini; Saha (Vaughan 77). Subs: Nash, Castillo, Rodwell, Baxter. BOOKINGS: Hibbert, Neville and Baines (all fouls).
EVERTON (4-4-1-1): Howard; Hibbert (Jacobsen 46), Yobo, Lescott, Baines; Osman (Gosling 83), Neville, Cahill, Pienaar; Fellaini; Saha (Vaughan 77). Subs: Nash, Castillo, Rodwell, Baxter. BOOKINGS: Hibbert, Neville and Baines (all fouls).
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Cole; Mikel, Essien (Ballack 61); Anelka, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba. Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, di Santo, Kalou, Belletti, Mancienne. BOOKING: Mikel (foul) and Lampard (simulation).
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Cech; Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Cole; Mikel, Essien (Ballack 61); Anelka, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba. Subs: Hilario, Ivanovic, di Santo, Kalou, Belletti, Mancienne. BOOKING: Mikel (foul) and Lampard (simulation).
REFEREE: Howard Webb.
REFEREE: Howard Webb.
ATT: 89,391.
ATT: 89,391.
