Manchester City 1 Y Toure 74
Stoke City 0
Manchester City Hart - Richards, Kolarov, Kompany, Lescott - De Jong, Barry (Johnson 73), Yaya Toure, Silva (Vieira 90+2) - Balotelli, Tevez (Zabaleta 87). Subs: Given, Milner, Dzeko, Boyata.
Stoke City Sorensen - Wilkinson, Shawcross, Huth, Wilson - Pennant, Whelan (Pugh 84), Delap (Carew 80), Etherington (Whitehead 62) - Walters, Jones. Subs: Nash, Collins, Diao, Faye. Booked: Huth, Wilkinson.
Attendance 88,643 at Wembley Referee Martin Atkinson (W Yorks) Kick-off 3pm
Live on ITV and ESPN
YAYA TOURE added to his Wembley goal collection as Manchester City beat Stoke City 1-0 to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1969.
Toure struck just as it looked as if Stoke were going to be able to force the match into extra time but this was a deserved win for Roberto Mancini's men.
PREVIEW
EITHER Manchester City or Stoke City will end their long wait for trophy success in the FA Cup Final this afternoon, live on ITV and ESPN (kick-off 3pm).
Man City, who start as favourites with the bookmakers, are aiming to win their first major prize since 1976 when they beat Newcastle United in the League Cup Final.
A cup win would cap a brilliant week at Eastlands after Roberto Mancini's secured Champions League football thanks to Peter Crouch's own goal on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Stoke have also confirmed their meteoric recent rise by reaching their first ever FA Cup Final in their 148-year existence.
Potters fans have to go even further back than Man City supporters for their last major trophy - back to the 1972 League Cup Final when Stoke beat Chelsea 2-1.
Since then, the Staffordshire club has fallen as low as 14th in the bottom tier in 1990/91, though recent seasons have been in a solely upward direction.
It all started when Stoke gained promotion to the surprise of many by finishing second to West Bromwich Albion in 2007/08.
Expected by many to go straight back down, Tony Pulis' men confounded their critics by finishing 12th in their first season back in the top flight as they comfortably avoided the drop.
The detractors then predicted that Stoke would suffer from so-called 'second season syndrome' but Pulis' men did nothing of the sort in 2009/10, improving their final placing to 11th.
This season, another improvement looks likely with Stoke lying in the top half after their impressive 3-1 home win over Arsenal.
Pulis' critics continue to complain that his team has only achieved success by playing a horrible long ball game but it would be harsh not to accept that this has been developed during their time in the top flight.
True, their sturdy defence remains as important as ever but now Stoke have a decent attack with Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters supplied by wingers Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant.
All of those players may be pretty direct at times but they are a far sight better than constant Rory Delap throws - and probably more effective if the 5-0 semi final drubbing of Bolton Wanderers is anything to go by.
Of course, Stoke are not the only team in this Final with an image problem. Manchester City may have finally broken into the top four but it was perhaps typical that they made it via an own goal.
Since the arrival of Khaldoon Al Mubarak of the Abu Dhabi United Group, Man City have spent more than £300m on transfer fees alone.
It is a simply astonishing amount given that they currently remain 11 points adrift off their Manchester rivals in the league.
Indeed, even in victory, United can somewhat rain upon City's parade by winning a record 19th English league title earlier this afternoon against Blackburn Rovers at 12.45pm.
At least the Red Devils will not pick up their Premier League crown until next weekend regardless of what happens though it is disappointing, to say the least, that the FA Cup Final is being played alongside league matches.
Worse still, it was announced yesterday that the same thing will happen next season even though the FA does not have the excuse that Wembley will be hosting the Champions League Final, as it is this time.
Of course, neither Man City nor Stoke will worry too much about such matters as long as they win - particularly the former after their swashbuckling semi final success over Man United.
That level of performance is exactly what is expected of Man City on a more regular basis and, though Carlos Tevez was injured on that occasion, he is often vital to providing a focal point to their attacks.
This is especially the case if the three nominally defensive midfielders - Nigel de Jong, Gareth Barry and Patrick Vieira - are all used by Mancini.
Indeed, you could even go as far as to say that the late fitness call on Tevez is more vital to Man City than the doubts over Robert Huth and Etherington are for Stoke.
Otherwise, it means the likes of Edin Dzeko, David Silva and trouble-maker Mario Balotelli take to the pitch knowing that they still have much to prove.
Nevertheless, it is difficult to argue this week that the Blue Moon is not finally ascendant and, as such, it should be the case that the investment of hundreds of millions of pounds will finally produce dividends.
Not before a tough, tight encounter, though. Prediction: 2-1 to Manchester City.
ROAD TO WEMBLEY
Manchester City
R3 Leicester City (a) drew 2-2
R3r Leicester City (h) won 4-2
R4 Notts County (a) drew 1-1
R4r Notts County (h) won 5-0
R5 Aston Villa (h) won 3-0
R6 Reading (h) won 1-0
SF Manchester United (w) won 1-0
Stoke City
R3 Cardiff City (h) drew 1-1
R3r Cardiff City (a) won 2-0 after extra time
R4 Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) won 1-0
R5 Brighton and Hove Albion (h) won 3-0
R6 West Ham United (h) won 2-1
SF Bolton Wanderers (w) won 5-0
PREVIOUS FA CUP FINALS
Manchester City
Four wins, one draw, four defeats
1904 won 1-0 v Bolton Wanderers (at Crystal Palace)
1926 lost 0-1 v Bolton Wanderers
1933 lost 0-3 v Everton
1934 won 2-1 v Portsmouth
1955 lost 1-3 v Newcastle United
1956 won 3-1 v Birmingham City
1969 won 1-0 v Leicester City
1981 drew 1-1 v Tottenham Hotspur [after extra time]
1981 replay lost 2-3 v Tottenham Hotspur
Stoke City
None
Showing posts with label fa cup final preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fa cup final preview. Show all posts
Saturday, 14 May 2011
Saturday, 30 May 2009
FA Cup Final preview: Chelsea v Everton
If Chelsea fail to win the FA Cup this afternoon, it will mean a second successive season without trophy success.
True, they have finished runners-up in the Premier League and the Champions League two seasons ago and then reached the semi finals in Europe this time around.
But Roman demands trophies.
That so much was obvious when he ditched Avram Grant, a move which pleased many Chelsea supporters, despite their appearance in the Moscow final.
In came Luis Felipe Scolari, the former World Cup-winning coach.
But, unsurprisingly, Abramovich disposed of the him as Chelsea were cut adrift in the league and struggled to beat Southend United in the FA Cup.
Since the arrival of his replacement, Guus Hiddink, things have improved significantly. Chelsea have played 21, won 15, drawn 5 and lost just the once.
Hiddink clearly commands the respect of the players and the fans are demanding he stays.
But Hiddink himself has said he is committed to his contract with the Russian national team, where his boss is, of course, Abramovich.
Perhaps something might be sorted out after all. But it would help if the Hiddink could win the Cup and prevent that second trophy-less season.
***
Everton fans have to go back to 1995 for their last trophy when Paul Rideout's goal helped the Toffees beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Cup Final.
But, while they have failed (so far) to pick up a pot, Everton have undoubtedly achieved under the astute management of David Moyes and are deserving of their position as the 'best of the rest'.
In the last five seasons, Everton have finished 4th (above Liverpool), 11th, 6th, 5th and 5th again.
This season's fifth place was particularly impressive as a sluggish start and poor home form left them needing to catch up.
The Toffees also had to play for parts of the campaign without a recognised striker after injuries to Yakubu, Louis Saha (not a surprise casualty), James Vaughan and - most recently - Victor Anichebe.
While Chelsea can name a full-strength team after Frank Lampard's declaration of fitness, Moyes will be forced into playing a weakened team in the Cup final.
The midfield talent of Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta is out for the season.
But Everton are unlikely to capitulate - they rarely do. Both matches against Chelsea in the league this season finished 0-0.
They also drew 0-0 with Manchester United before a penalty shoot-out success. It is all lined-up to be a tight match.
What a way to celebrate the signing of Moyes' five-year contract this season if he could deliver a trophy under the Wembley arch.
***
Teams
CHELSEA
Cech - Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole - Essien, Mikel, Lampard - Anelka, Drogba, Malouda
EVERTON
Howard - Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines - Osman, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Fellaini - Saha.
Route to the Final
CHELSEA
Third round- Southend United (h) 1-1, (a) 4-1 in replay
Fourth round- Ipswich Town (h) 3-1
Fifth round- Watford (a) 3-1
Sixth round- Coventry City (a) 2-0
Semi finals- Arsenal (n) 2-1
EVERTON
Third round- Macclesfield Town (a) 1-0
Fourth round- Liverpool (a) 1-1, (h) 1-0 aet
Fifth round- Aston Villa (h) 3-1
Sixth round- Middlesbrough (h) 2-1
Semi finals- Manchester United (n) 0-0, won 4-2 on penalties
Previous FA Cup Final appearances
CHELSEA
8 appearances, 4 wins (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007)
EVERTON
12 appearances, 5 wins (1906, 1933, 1966, 1984, 1995)
Prediction
1-0 to Chelsea. Goal by Anelka in the second half when the injuries to Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta finally take their toll.
Anelka finished Premier League top-scorer this season. He also scored in the FA Cup Final for Arsenal in 1998.
True, they have finished runners-up in the Premier League and the Champions League two seasons ago and then reached the semi finals in Europe this time around.
But Roman demands trophies.
That so much was obvious when he ditched Avram Grant, a move which pleased many Chelsea supporters, despite their appearance in the Moscow final.
In came Luis Felipe Scolari, the former World Cup-winning coach.
But, unsurprisingly, Abramovich disposed of the him as Chelsea were cut adrift in the league and struggled to beat Southend United in the FA Cup.
Since the arrival of his replacement, Guus Hiddink, things have improved significantly. Chelsea have played 21, won 15, drawn 5 and lost just the once.
Hiddink clearly commands the respect of the players and the fans are demanding he stays.
But Hiddink himself has said he is committed to his contract with the Russian national team, where his boss is, of course, Abramovich.
Perhaps something might be sorted out after all. But it would help if the Hiddink could win the Cup and prevent that second trophy-less season.
***
Everton fans have to go back to 1995 for their last trophy when Paul Rideout's goal helped the Toffees beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Cup Final.
But, while they have failed (so far) to pick up a pot, Everton have undoubtedly achieved under the astute management of David Moyes and are deserving of their position as the 'best of the rest'.
In the last five seasons, Everton have finished 4th (above Liverpool), 11th, 6th, 5th and 5th again.
This season's fifth place was particularly impressive as a sluggish start and poor home form left them needing to catch up.
The Toffees also had to play for parts of the campaign without a recognised striker after injuries to Yakubu, Louis Saha (not a surprise casualty), James Vaughan and - most recently - Victor Anichebe.
While Chelsea can name a full-strength team after Frank Lampard's declaration of fitness, Moyes will be forced into playing a weakened team in the Cup final.
The midfield talent of Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta is out for the season.
But Everton are unlikely to capitulate - they rarely do. Both matches against Chelsea in the league this season finished 0-0.
They also drew 0-0 with Manchester United before a penalty shoot-out success. It is all lined-up to be a tight match.
What a way to celebrate the signing of Moyes' five-year contract this season if he could deliver a trophy under the Wembley arch.
***
Teams
CHELSEA
Cech - Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole - Essien, Mikel, Lampard - Anelka, Drogba, Malouda
EVERTON
Howard - Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines - Osman, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Fellaini - Saha.
Route to the Final
CHELSEA
Third round- Southend United (h) 1-1, (a) 4-1 in replay
Fourth round- Ipswich Town (h) 3-1
Fifth round- Watford (a) 3-1
Sixth round- Coventry City (a) 2-0
Semi finals- Arsenal (n) 2-1
EVERTON
Third round- Macclesfield Town (a) 1-0
Fourth round- Liverpool (a) 1-1, (h) 1-0 aet
Fifth round- Aston Villa (h) 3-1
Sixth round- Middlesbrough (h) 2-1
Semi finals- Manchester United (n) 0-0, won 4-2 on penalties
Previous FA Cup Final appearances
CHELSEA
8 appearances, 4 wins (1970, 1997, 2000, 2007)
EVERTON
12 appearances, 5 wins (1906, 1933, 1966, 1984, 1995)
Prediction
1-0 to Chelsea. Goal by Anelka in the second half when the injuries to Phil Jagielka and Mikel Arteta finally take their toll.
Anelka finished Premier League top-scorer this season. He also scored in the FA Cup Final for Arsenal in 1998.
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