FA Cup final preview

This Saturday sees the FA Cup final, one of the most traditional games of the soccer season. Last season the final was a rather tame and damp affair featuring Portsmouth and Cardiff but this year promises to be a much more exciting proposition with Chelsea taking on Everton. In the stands, there will be a sea of blue everywhere but as both clubs have a similar color of kit, there will be a need for one team to wear a change of soccer jersey. A coin toss was taken to decide which team would be wearing their change soccer kit and Chelsea lost which means that the Londoners will take the field in a yellow top. This allows Everton to wear their renowned soccer colors and the blue top was what they wore when they last triumphed in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. The color of the jerseys shouldn’t have any impact on the match but the managers might.

The FA Cup final is scheduled to be Guus Hiddink’s last match in charge of Chelsea as he returns to manage Russia and the rumours suggest his place in the Stamford Bridge hotseat will be taken by Carlos Ancellotti. Ancellotti has been in charge of AC Milan for a number of year but with local rivals Inter firmly ruling the roost in Italy, it may well be time for the ex cultured midfielder to move on and see if he can help Roman Abramovich to achieve his dream of European glory. This is the main aim for next season but the Dutchman in current charge of the club will be hoping to bow out with some silverware and leave the Chelsea fans wanting more.

In the other dugout will be Davie Moyes, a man who would greatly benefit from winning a trophy. Outside of the top 4 clubs, Everton have been the most consistent team and have been the only club to split the top four with regards to Champions League qualification. Therefore, Moyes is deserving of adding a trophy to his CV and if he does, it may give him a great opportunity of moving onto the next level. It would also allow the long suffering Everton fans to have some time in the spotlight away from Liverpool and would probably look back on the season with great pride.

The FA Cup final is usually the place where the big name players shine and there is ample opportunity for someone to steal the headlines after this weekends match. There is a lot of speculation where Didier Drogba will be playing his football next season and the winning goal in the Cup final could well be the perfect way to sign off and leave Chelsea fans remembering him with a happy time. Equally, Anelka finished the season as England’s top goal-scorer and this would be a fitting way to end his season.

Everton may not have the strikers with such hot form at the moment but their season has been shaped by the strength and skill of two midfielders. Tim Cahill has already played in an FA Cup final for Millwall and he will be assisted by Marouane Fellaini, a big game player with big hair. There will be no hiding place for the midfielder and if he can win the battle between himself and Frank Lampard then Everton may just be able to steal the glory in the FA Cup final.