SO, unfortunately, the fairytale did not have a happy ending and another season passes without Goodison Park’s trophy cabinet being added to. The disappointment we all feel today after losing the FA Cup final remains as sharp as it did on Saturday evening but, even though it might be difficult, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the bigger picture. If someone had told you immediately after we had lost to Blackburn last August that Everton would finish the season in fifth place and have two fantastic days out at Wembley by the end, I’m pretty sure you would have snapped their hand off. Put it another way, it would have taken a very brave man to gamble with such a scenario – when you think of the injuries with which we have had to contend, this was the best campaign Everton could have hoped for. Yes, it would have been fantastic for the players to have had a piece of silverware to show for their efforts but, occasionally, you have to hold your hands up and admit that the better side won. What really irked, though, was the fact that two men who turned the tide in their favour after Louis Saha had scored our early goal were Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda, both of whom have had less than impressive Chelsea careers. Anelka won the Golden Boot this year but you never heard his name mentioned once in contention for Player of the Season, while Malouda had been anonymous until Guus Hiddink’s arrival. But they caused us such problems, Malouda in particular thriving with Ashley Cole. The way they passed it between them left Tony Hibbert unsure whether he should stick with one man or follow the runner. Such a shame. I had been confident about our prospects before the game so I have got to be honest and say I was disappointed that we couldn’t stage a grandstand finish after Frank Lampard had scored what proved to be the winner. Petr Cech, after all, had looked vulnerable at some crosses and maybe that could have been exploited if we had sent Joseph Yobo or Joleon Lescott up for the last 10 minutes. Ultimately, they just had too much quality but don’t lose sight of the fact how well Everton have played for much of the last nine months. Next season will be massive for Vaughan >>> | 
Article
