I'm overjoyed after seeing Liverpool lift the FA Cup last night for the 7th time in the club's history. Everyone was saying how one-sided the match will be before the kick-off. It was of no surprise as West Ham is a newly promoted team in the Premier League n Liverpool is the reigning Kings of Europe. Everyone was predicting a win for The Reds. Liverpool had come a long way to the final match. Beating Luton Town in the 3rd round with a scoreline of 5-3 after being 3-1 down during a point of the match, thrashing Birmingham City 7-0 at St Andrew's, defeating Manchester United through a Peter Crouch header in the quarter-final, n best of all, overcoming English Champions Chelsea 2-1 in the semi-final. Certainly, this looks to be the year Liverpool wins the cup again after last winning it in 2001. Me, in no doubt, thought my team will win it too.
I took my seat at the coffeeshop last night, surrounded by a horde of Liverpool fans. We all seemed relaxed initially but it soon diminished when West Ham went 1-0 up with an own goal from the ever reliable Jamie Carragher. 8minutes later, it was 2-0. EPL Golden Gloves winner Pepe Reina fumbled a weak shot by Matthew Etherington n Dean Ashton put away the ball into the net with ease. I had a huge frown on my face, wondering what had gone wrong in the defence. NO TEAM in the EPL has scored two goals against Liverpool n not concede this season, except for Chelsea. I was dumbfounded of course. Is this the end?
My hope came 3minutes later when a fabulous cross by Steven Gerrard was matched by an equally awesome finishing from French striker Djibril Cisse. A powerful low volley, Shaka Hislop had no chance, 2-1 the scoreline stayed at half time. Liverpool came out of the tunnel after the 15min break applying great pressure on West Ham at their own half. West Ham held on n even threatened with some quick breakthroughs. Their Israeli winger, Yossi Benayoun, was especially dangerous. Then came the Liverpool equalizer in the 54th minute. A cross from the left from Xabi Alonso was knocked down by Peter Crouch n Steven Gerrard wasted no time with a smashing first time volley. The fans roared n Liverpool had come back from the dead to make the scoreline 2-2. I smiled n watched on with huge enthusiasm. I thought surely West Ham's confidence must have cracked after the equalizer.
I was wrong. They continued playing attacking football n Liverpool's defence had trouble containing the speedy wingers from the London club. The huge blow came 10minutes after Gerrard's equalizer. Paul Konchesky was running with the ball down the left flank n it look fine, until he sent in a cross. With the cross, he scored. It was a fluke goal as the ball took a wicked dip towards the far post n Reini was beaten for the third time in the match. I was like "WHAT??!!" That goal looked the same as the one Luis Figo scored against Manchester United in the Champions League back in 2002. Damn, West Ham is leading again n I'm starting to worry.
The seconds ticked on the clock n West Ham was packing their own half with all their players. Liverpool was finding it hard to penetrate the large amount of bodies for the much needed equalizer. I lost hope n even wanted to leave as I don't want to see West Ham lift the cup at the expense of Liverpool. That will break my heart.
Call it miracle, call it luck, but Liverpool's team spirit n strong character never failed to show in the match last night. The equalizer came in the first minute of injury time. When it all gloom n doomed, captain marvel Steven Gerrard pulled the team back from the ditch with a goal. How beautiful it was, smashing the ball into the bottom left corner from 30metres out. The class n great technique was shown all over when the ball flew into the net like a bolt of thunder. The Cardiff Millennium Stadium was in ruptures. I jumped out of my seat n cheered like a man possessed. How many times had Gerrard bailed his team out of jail? His last ditch shot against Olympiakos n his looping header in the final of the Champions League last season were classic examples.
The match was forced into 30minutes of extra time after the match ended 3-3, the same scoreline as the one in the Champions League Final last year. Numerous amount of Liverpool players suffered painful muscle cramps during extra time. Who could blame them? This team had played more matches than anyone else in the EPL with 62 games. It was a crazy number.
30minutes of extra time didn't produce any goal, n it went on to penalty shoot-out to decide the winner. By then, my back was already aching after sitting for 3 whole hours without a back rest. I know Liverpool will clinch it when it comes to penalties. That was how they won the European Cup last year.
West Ham missed 3 penalties with Pepe Reina saving all of them while Liverpool scored 3 with Sami Hyypia missing the one kick. When Anton Ferdinand's penalty was being saved, the game ended. Liverpool were crowned FA Cup winners at that instant n the stadium roared on. I raised my arms n punched the air. Finally they've clinched it after almost giving me a heart attack. This match will definitely go down in FA Cup history as one of the most dramatic finals ever.
Well, I do spare a thought for West Ham. They had worked hard n played some great football in the match. They may have lost, but they lose with their heads up high. Now, they can look forward to European football in the UEFA Cup next season.
How ironic huh? When Liverpool last won the FA Cup in 2001, it was the first time the FA Cup Final was held outside of Wembley Stadium n into the Cardiff Mellennium Stadium. Now that Liverpool has win it again, it's the last FA Cup at Cardiff as Wembley has almost finished its rebuilding. It started with Liverpool n ended with Liverpool. Interesting..
There u go, my hero, Steven Gerrard. I hope u can do the same n bring England as far as u can at the World Cup in Germany. Well done lads. I'm so proud to be a Liverpool fan.
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE
This video was back in 2001 when Liverpool won the FA Cup. Check out how young Michael Owen looked. N can u spot the raw talent 20yr old Steven Gerrard?
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