NO-ONE knows more about the importance of goalkeepers in an FA Cup final than Neville Southall.

Having collected two winners’ medals in 1984 and 1995, the Everton legend knows that keeping your cool between the sticks can be the difference between winning and losing.

With Chelsea going into the match as favourites, Southall believes that it’s the Londoners’ keeper that is the weak link in the side.

“There is a mistake waiting to happen with Petr Cech. The keeper is going through a rough patch and he’s been doing things that you wouldn’t have seen in previous years. He hasn’t had the best of seasons at all,” said the former Everton keeper.

“They need to get as many balls in the box as possible, because Cech will struggle with them. Corners and free-kicks need to be whipped in right from the start.”

Southall believes Everton, on the other hand, can feel secure in the hands of Tim Howard.

“Tim has been very consistent and the back four trust him completely,” he said..” This is so important, especially during a cup final when players will be more nervous than usual. He’s very vocal and a good organiser, as well as making good saves at the right times. Tim is a top international and come Saturday I’d rather have him in my team than Cech.”

But it’s not just in goal that Southall considers Everton to be better suited. The Welshman – who appeared a record 751 times for the club – believes that Moyes’ team have a back four that can handle the likes of Didier Drogba.

“The defence is very solid, and hopefully they will be able to get under Drogba’s skin,” said Southall.

“The game will of course be very tight, but if Everton can score first they can go on and win it. People look at the negatives and go on about how good the Chelsea side is, but Everton are more than capable of getting a result. They are miles better than people give them credit for.

“The longer the game stays at 0-0, the better chance Everton have of winning. They don’t have to go out and try and win the game in the first minute”, he added.

“The pressure is well and truly on Chelsea, and the manager will be desperate to claim some silverware before he leaves. This may also work against them, as the players don’t know who will be coming in over the summer, and whether or not their future lies with Chelsea.

Southall was also quick to point out how David Moyes should take a huge amount of credit for how far the team have come this season.

“What Moyes has done is fantastic. He likes to do things his way and that’s great to see. He’s bought wisely, with players who can do a job in various positions. And although the squad is small, it means people are playing more regularly, and this has helped build a good spirit within the camp. But it’s time to take the next step now, starting with winning the FA Cup.

“Bringing home the trophy would hopefully kick start a new era for Everton. The profile of the club would be raised and it will allow the club to market themselves better abroad, and hopefully bring in high quality players in the summer.”

Southall sees the next few months as being imperative with regard to Everton taking the next step.

He said: “With the right players being brought in, breaking into the top four is a possibility. But the club needs four top quality strikers if it wants to do this. Not all of them are going to be on form at the same time, and there will be injuries too, so Moyes needs quality reinforcements to call upon up front.”

Southall also revealed just how similar he sees the team now to the one that lifted the cup back in 1995.

“Fourteen years ago we had a bunch of lads that stuck together, and it seems to be the same sort of thing now.

“We knew we had nothing to lose and we were very relaxed. I never thought we were going to lose the game, and it was just so satisfying to beat one of the best teams in the world. Come Saturday, Everton once again have nothing to lose, and are more than capable of bringing home the trophy.”