Toffees back at Wembley


Marouane Fellaini and Louis Saha booked Everton’s place in the Semi-Finals of The FA Cup after coming from a goal down to see off Middlesbrough at Goodison Park.
 The win means Everton will return to Wembley for the first time since 1995 when they beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the Trophy.
 After a scrappy opening to the game, Middlesbrough’s Jeremie Aliadiere squandered a glorious chance after Matthew Bates pulled the ball back into his path, but the Frenchman sliced his shot over the bar on 12 minutes.
Everton defender Joseph Yobo then starred at both ends. On 17 minutes the defender had a free header, but he directed it straight at Boro’s Brad Jones.
Then, on the half hour mark, the centre-back made a crucial block from Aliadiere’s shot – which Everton keeper Tim Howard would have struggled to save.
But in the final minute of the first half, Middlesbrough took the lead through David Wheater.
Aliadiere sent in a cross from the right and Wheater climbed highest to head home despite the best efforts of Howard on the line to keep the ball out.
Everton manager David Moyes introduced Saha at half time and the Frenchman played a key role in the Merseysiders reaching Wembley.
Just five minutes after the re-start, Everton were level. Australian midfielder Tim Cahill's cross and Fellaini’s looping header caught Jones off his line and levelled the scores.
In the 56th minute, Everton were ahead. Steven Pienaar's pin-point cross from the left was met by a bullet header from Saha and Jones had little chance.
Everton had the opportunity to extend their lead but Leighton Baines saw his free kick come crashing off the bar and later Saha could have scored a second at the death.But the Blues held on to book their place in an FA Cup Semi-Final for the first time in 14 years.

By James Andrew. Sunday, 08 March 2009