FA Cup final preview

29 May 2009 09:36
Chelsea and Everton contest the FA Cup final in Guus Hiddink's last game in charge of the Blues and David Moyes' first showpiece as a manager. Hiddink will bid farewell to the travelling Stamford Bridge faithful after the encounter when he resumes full charge of Russia, who are bidding to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The Dutch coach has earned a place in Chelsea supporters' hearts after an impressive, yet short, tenure since taking over from Luiz Felipe Scolari in February. Hiddink will no doubt see the clash versus their Premier League counterparts as an ideal opportunity to bow out in style as he looks to land the Blues' first piece of silverware since they won the competition in 2007. Chelsea, under Scolari's stewardship at the time, overcame Southend United in the third round, courtesy of a replay, and then saw off Ipswich Town in the next stage. GloryIn-between Scolari and Hiddink's tenures, they then defeated Watford before the latter took over and guided the club to successes over Coventry City and a semi-final win over London rivals Arsenal. For Everton, their route to the home of English football began at Macclesfield before they knocked out bitter rivals Liverpool in the fourth round via a replay. Victory over Aston Villa and Middlesbrough then followed before Moyes' men disposed of Manchester United after the match-up went to penalties. The encounter is the club's first final since they triumphed over Manchester United 14 years ago, courtesy of a Paul Rideout strike. It will also be a fine landmark for three-time LMA Manager of the Year Moyes, who has previously failed to reach a final or lift a trophy during his seven-year reign on Merseyside. Team newsHiddink will have midfielder Frank Lampard at his disposal after the England international confirmed he is fit to play following a knee complaint. Juliano Belletti is back jogging after being sidelined by a recent virus while Brazilian defender Alex will vie with Ricardo Carvalho to start alongside captain John Terry. Golden Boot winner Nicolas Anelka is likely to start but injured duo Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira remain absent. Moyes is without long-term injury victims Phil Jagielka, Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe and Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Striker Louis Saha is pushing for a first-team berth while young stars Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling are in contention to feature. Possible starting XIs: Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda. Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Lescott, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Neville, Pienaar, Cahill, Saha.

Source: SKY_Sports