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Featured Sport News

Blues battle for cup supremacy

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 28/05/2009

Wembley hosts a Battle of the Blues as Chelsea and Everton meet in the FA Cup Final this weekend.

Much of the pre-match attention will focus on the two managers, with Guus Hiddink set to leave Stamford Bridge after the final, while Toffees boss David Moyes was recently named as the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year.

Hiddink has been instrumental in turning Chelsea's season around, taking the Blues to within a few seconds of the Champions League Final, before their heartbreaking exit at the hands of Barcelona.

The Dutchman will be desperate to sign off with some silverware and his side will start as sportsbooks favourites for the domestic season's finale, despite the absence through injury of Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Joe Cole.

Hiddink's confidence is bolstered by the knowledge that Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in the 2007 final, but he is aware that Everton will pose a massive threat, especially as both league meetings of the two sides this season ended in draws.

"It is a tough team," Hiddink admitted. "They have shown it twice against Chelsea with two draws. They have very good tactical discipline and on top of that they have quality players who can make a difference.

"They have very skilful and smart players and are a difficult team to play against."

Like Chelsea, Everton won on their last appearance in an FA Cup Final, but that was back in 1995 - when the Toffees also saw off Manchester United.

Like Chelsea, they also have a number of key players out injured, with defender Phil Jagielka, midfielder Mikel Arteta and strikers Yakubu and Victor Anichebe all definite absentees.

However, manager Moyes has managed his resources superbly throughout the campaign, guiding his side to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League, only two places behind their cup final opponents.

He can also take heart from his side's run to the final which has seen them see off a number of top-class opponents.

They beat city rivals Liverpool 1-0 in a fourth round replay, before a 3-1 victory at home to Aston Villa in round five.

The Toffees then won 2-1 at home to Middlesbrough in the sixth round, before emerging victorious from a semi-final penalty shootout with Manchester United.

That sort of run usually sparks talk of your name being on the cup, but Chelsea and the football betting odds - are certain to have other ideas, despite Arsenal being the only top-flight side they faced on their way to the final.

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