The opening exchanges saw the hosts create and handful of decent chances to take the lead, but came up against a forthright and resolute defence, particularly goal keeper Tim Howard, who went some way to banishing the demons which (probably dont) haunt him from the final in 2009.
In the first half Chelsea poked and probed away at the toffees, but to a man they stood up and did the jobs they were given, their attitude from start to finish was exemplary an absolute galaxy away from the performances most of the same players put in less than a week before at Bolton. The main flash point of the first half was the 'penalty' that never was. Ramires skipped into the box as half time loomed and found himself seemingly colliding with the onrushing American, it looked nailed on. But credit were it is due, Phil Dowd who is usually one of the better refs in the league and wasn't having his finest afternoon, got it absolutely spot on.
To have gone in at that point 1-0 down and given Chelsea the opportunity of changing things round suit them could have been disastrous, as it was Dowd did what he is paid to do, booked the Brazilian and waved away a whole manner of moaning twats as they bayed for the Americans blood. Phew...
Second half underway Chelsea continued to create marginally more than Everton, but just seemed to lack the swagger which they are clearly capable of producing. The returning Jagielka in defence looked back to his reliable best, winning headers and tackles all over the place and giving it simply to Arteta on a number of occasions in order not to surrender possession so easily. Surrender it they did though and with about ten minutes remaining a quiet but menacing Lampard should have won it with a chip....phew! It left you with a rising feeling in your blue gut that if we'd survived up to this point against a team that hadn't lost in the cup for something like 3 years, this may just be our day.
Fellaini, whether he was trying to impress prospective new employers or not, enjoyed another fantastic afternoon for Everton, winning the ball and generally giving us the confidence and presence that is needed in order to overcome good teams in such circumstances. So who better for a last minute tap in to fall to after good work from Baines and Arteta from a corner? Nobody, thats who.... ''RRAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHKKKK......oh fuck off'' Ecstatic cartwheels and backflips in the away end were immediately cancelled as the linesman raised his flag. Replays show he was probably right too.
Extra time awaited and the inevitability of it all seemed to creep up on us. As almost as soon as we had restarted the game, Anelka (more of him later) absolutely skinned to Everton players down the right, whipped the ball in and then Lampard doing his usual thing managed to get on the end of what looked like a spawny chest down from Drogba and lash the ball into the bottom corner past the despairing Howard. Season over in one mundane, standard, Lampard swish of his right peg.
As gut wrenchingly arl arse as it felt on the team and the supporters who had to coin a phrase ''been fucking marlvellous'' all day up to this point. In the main it seemed to steel their purpose and their willingness to connect to each other and all pull in the same direction for one outcome. They were to coin another phrase ''Not going to be moved''.
Moyes in a real moment proactivity had brought Anichebe and Bilyaletdinov on for the tireless Beckford and Leon Osman. It worked too, especially in the Nigerians case, he came on and made enough of a nuisance of himself in order for Chelsea to start making silly fouls.
Leighton Baines has been a picture of consistency and technique so far this season, constantly offering for the ball and willing to take responsibility in moments of games which belie his seemingly uninfluential position of left back. Even losing Pienaar in January who he had a near telepathic understanding with for 3 years has not diminished the lads focus one iota. And focus he did, Jagielka pushing forward now in a desperate attempt for an equaliser won a free kick on the edge of the box. Baines assumed control and waved away a loitering Basque lad. Phew!
Commence Cartwheels. It was a free kick of sheer simplicity and beauty. To do what he did, at the time he did, knowing full well what it meant to a lot of people takes character, balls and ability. He has it in spades. Its as if he realises that missing out on the world cup last year leaves him with one final chance to do it and he wont rest until he has got to that level, and as much as i couldn't give a flying shite about England, id love to see him get there, there isn't a better left back in the league just now. Thanks Leighton.
So if you hadn't walked out up to this point, chewed down to your knuckle on both your hands and/or had to go the bogs to involuntarily change your underpants, it was all going down to spot kicks.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Baines missed his. Chelsea went on to score their next two with Jagielka scoring for us. Not.Looking.Good. Anelka, so laid back he may as well of lambada'd up to the ball, swaggered up to take his and Howard palmed it away. Hold it.... Arteta smashed his in..... As did Essien. .... Johnny Heitinga walked up and smashed his in too......Hold itttt, not only that, but as he was walking back to his team mates he nudged the waspish Cole in the shoulder as he nervously walked up to take his. Psyched out and duly ballooned - Cole misses. Leaving it all down to Captain Phil Neville. Hold ittttttt...Never in doubt. Crowd surfing, windmilling, back flips and cartwheels haven't felt that easy since 2009.
The celebrating supporters, players, management and board members can all now look forward to a last 16 tie against Reading at home, get past that and they've got either Villa or City in the quarter finals and we now know very well where you go if we get past them. If's, buts' and maybe's....
Up the fucking Blues. You made us proud on Saturday.
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