Everton So Near Yet So Far | The FA Cup Final 2009 Through Toffee Blue Eyes

by Tom Mallows

As Phil Neville and his players looked on ruefully while John Terry lifted the cup for Chelsea they could proudly reflect on a memorable season, but one which had just one game too many. Injuries, fatigue and that lack of extra quality told for Everton in the end, as they were deservedly beaten by a Chelsea side determined to give interim boss Guus Hiddink a happy send-off.

It could have been so different when The Toffees took the lead after just 25 seconds – the quickest goal in FA Cup history. Louis Saha, defying questions over his fitness, lashed home Marouane Fellaini’s knock down from eighteen yards past a startled Petr Cech. Both sets of fans were stunned, but you have to give credit to Chelsea, who weathered the storm and actually settled into the game quicker than their opponents.

That said the Everton defence, who have proved so solid this season, will be disappointed at the manner of the equaliser. Florent Malouda, who tormented Tony Hibbert in the first half, was given too much space on the left and had all the time in the world to pick out Didier Drogba to head home, despite there being four Everton defenders in the penalty area. It was a cheap way to let Chelsea back into the game.

After that, as the pitchside thermometer peaked at 42 degrees, Chelsea assumed control and their class and experience told. Everton, clearly missing the creative force of Mikel Arteta in the centre of midfield, lacked ideas and too often resorted to long balls to try and break Chelsea down.

It took a fantastic goal to win it mind. Frank Lampard was slightly off balance but still managed to put his left foot through the ball and send it swerving beyond the outstretched arms of Tim Howard. As David Moyes searched for inspiration from the bench the true gulf between the two sides became known. Whereas Hiddink could bring on Germany’s captain, Michael Ballack, Moyes had a bench dominated by untried teenagers that cost him just £200,000 to assemble – less than two weeks of Ballack’s wages.

As Evertonians trudged away defeated they could have few complaints with the result, but can perhaps point out that money appeared to be the only difference on the day. Everton have come so far this year, coping with horrendous injuries and relying on the old adages of team spirit, organisation and hard work and more than matched their opponents in that respect.

But the lack of a fairytale ending perhaps now means that money dominates all, and if the Toffees don’t find considerable investment, they may never break that big four strangle hold, not only on the four Champions League places but all three domestic trophies.

Moyes will no doubt try his best to spot a few bargains in the summer and make the best of what little money he has got. But you can’t help thinking that with the big-four all dominant and the likes of Aston Villa, Spurs, Manchester City and Portsmouth all awash with cash, that glass ceiling barring Evertonian progress could become impregnable without a rich sugar daddy.

Tom Mallows is a sports writer for Betfair and columnist for Just Football, focussing predominantly on Everton, the team he supports.

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Chelsea, England, Everton, FA Cup, Tom Mallows