Having faced one of the toughest FA Cup runs in history – Everton dispatched Premier League champions Manchester United and runners-up Liverpool as well as a fine Aston Villa team in reaching Wembley – the Blues came up against a formidable Chelsea team in the final.
Yet it took just 25 seconds for Louis Saha to put Everton in front with the quickest goal in FA Cup final history. Thereafter, however, Chelsea dominated, ultimately proving too much for an Everton team that was crippled by injuries to such key personnel as Mikel Arteta, Phil Jagielka and Yakubu.
‘For us to finish fifth and reach the FA Cup final, then come here and not look out of place was a great achievement,’ said David Moyes. ‘We played Chelsea twice this season and drew and this was only 2-1. I’m really keen that the players are recognised for how well they have done this season because they have been outstanding.’
