Applause and reward for Everton manager David Moyes
Last updated 4/21/2009 11:49:24 AM
Copyright Everton FC
It's an all blue Cup Final at Wembley on May 30 when favourites Chelsea meet David Moyes outsiders Everton.
Chelsea came from behind to put out Arsenal and end their long unbeaten run while Everton overcame a Manchester United team comprised mainly of youngsters and fringe players with an average age of only 22.
Such is United's strength in depth as they chased five major trophies, that their kids, supplement by first choice centre backs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, pushed Everton to the limits before losing by penalties after extra time.
United were even denied a penalty by referee Mike Riley when Phil Jagielka upended Danny Welbeck in the 68th minute for what even the Everton and England centre half admitted was a penalty.
To rub salt in the wound it was Jagielka who reluctantly stepped up for the penalty which was to end Sir Alex Ferguson's dreams of scooping the pool and beat future England goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Football will be delighted that Scot Moyes has been rewarded for his years of hard work on a limited budget to take Everton back to Wembley for a final against the much, much wealthier Chelsea, currently under the expert guidance of temporary boss Guus Hiddinck.
Arsenal looked set for victory when their talented young side, on a long unbeaten run in 2009, took the lead through the exciting and pacy Theo Walcott but Chelsea once more displayed their strength and fitness when they came back to take their place at Wembley with goals from Florent Malouda and man of the match Didier Drogba who began the FA Cup by being dropped for the third round replay against Southend.
Having played the optimist all season Drogba was "rewarded" for his goal celebrations with a yellow card for removing his shirt. It is five years since the International ruling body brought in the regulation and it still hasn't gone away, which suggests it is, more often than not, a genuine celebration of joy.
Surely time to turn a blind eye to something which can scarcely be compared with a tackle from behind, an elbow in the throat or even dissent.
It could have meant the goalscorer missing the final – and who benefits from that apart from the opposing team and their supporters.
Think about it!