David vs. Goliath

The English FA Cup final was simply a trilling match. Liverpool as the favourites to win the match did win but by penalty shoot-out. West Ham, the unexpected finalist almost won the Cup but Steven Gerrard spoiled their game by leveling up in injury time with a ferocious long range half volley. It’s 3-3. Seriously, if you missed this match, you are really unlucky.

Liverpool
The Reds were really lucky to win the FA Cup. Again and again, they were behind the underdogs, West Ham, because of defensive error. Reina was killing Liverpool’s game because his positioning was really poor. And their strikers were not really performing except Cisse. Both Morientes and Crouch were not in form and Liverpool started the game off really poor. But determined Gerrard won’t let Liverpool fall apart. He kept the team together even though for so many times, Liverpool was trailing behind West Ham. As you all know Liverpool was the favourites to win and if they didn’t, it would be a shame for them as they were facing a team that was just promoted from the Championship last season. Cisse scored the first goal for Liverpool. Later in the match, Gerrard scored the second to level up the match. Peter Crouch was substituted early because he was not performing and I wonder how he was selected in the England World Cup team. In the injury time and when West Ham thought they were winning, Stevie G scored a cracker from 25-30 yards away. Though the extra time, Liverpool dominated the match as expected. But they were unable to find the net. The team was suffered a setback as Cisse, Sissoko and Gerrard suffered cramp during extra time. But that won’t stopped them from lifting the Cup. They played on because all substitution options were used. Liverpool hold on till extra time was finished. After that, they knew they will win as they knew they were the better side in penalty shoot-out. They won the shoot out by 3-1. I won’t say Reina was a hero in the shoot-out because West Ham penalty takers blundered themselves in the penalty box. So, Liverpool did out-performed West Ham in the shoot-out and lifted the Cup. I guess they were really relieved.

West Ham
The Hammers were the underdogs in this match. They had nothing to lose so they just give all they had in this match. Surprisingly, they were leading throughout the match until…..you know what happened next… I don’t think I need to repeat it again. But anyway, They were the better side in the first half and the second half but they had kind of fallen apart during extra time as they just sit back and defend. Nigel Reo-Coker being such a young captain (only 20 years old) for West Ham… I think he did well. The team was organised and everyone in the team knew what they were doing. They were making full use of they possession and their chances because they knew they were the weaker side. Although the were the weaker side, their team chemistry or team spirit were higher. Teddy Sheringham, being such an old and experienced striker (40 years old), he’s still be able to played in the final as a substitute. He’s the only one that scored in the penalty shoot-out for West Ham. I was impressed by West Ham players’ determination especially Marlon Harewood. Even though he faced injury (cramp, I guess) during extra time, he kept on playing till the game is over. Let me tell you that he was in real painful situation. Anton Ferdinand was the last penalty taker for West Ham. Reina saved it and Anton, I believe, was in tears. Even though Liverpool won the game, West Ham can considered themselves winner for what they had shown in the match.