On May 30th we’ll come up against Chelsea for the third time in a cup competition in three years, only this time it feels a little different.

Chelsea vs Everton – February 8th 2006 – FA Cup 4th Round

After a spirited game by an injury hit team, Everton missed out on taking victory at Goodison due to a Lampard equaliser mid second half.  This set up a replay at Stamford Bridge in which fans, captain and Moyes alike all conceded our best chance had gone and defeat was expected.  With such an attitude in the Everton camp Chelsea inevitably ripped us apart and won 4-1.

Everton vs. Chelsea – January 23rd 2008 – League Cup Semi Final

Missing some key players needing to win to go through, there was a feeling of hope around the club.  The team got their heads down and tried and tried, but a lack of cutting edge saw Everton lose out 1-0 and miss out on the League Cup Final.

Everton vs. Chelsea – May 30th 2009 – FA Cup Final

Everton go into this game, not with the pessimism from 2006, not the hope from 2008, but with the expectation of 2009 that we WILL win the Cup and Merseyside will see a trophy this season.  Whether it was against Liverpool at Anfield, Villa at Goodison or United at Wembley, an injury hit Everton have gone into the game expecting results.  In previous years Everton would never have attacked Liverpool in the 118th minute of a game, but instead tried to avoid conceding, heads would have gone down when Middlesbrough went into half time in the lead at Goodison, and hearts would have sunk when Manchester United were drawn against us in the semi finals, never mind having 4 penalty kick takers and a goalkeeper with the nerve to win a shoot out in front of 90,000.  This Everton side is taking everything in it’s stride, whether injury crisis, tough draws or going behind, this Everton team is only concentrating on doing their job, and that is winning.  Unlike at anytime in the past 20 years, if Everton come back with the FA Cup on May 30th, no one inside the club will be surprised, we’ll celebrate until our livers pack in before thinking of how we’re going to do better next year.  When Moyes said silverware will come, this is what he meant, once again Nil Satis Nisi Optimum is showing it’s true meaning on the pitch at long last.

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