Chelsea FC 2-1 Liverpool FC (May 5th 2012)

Ramires '11 | Drogba '52 | Carroll '64

Eight years after beating Liverpool to the FA Cup, the Blues once again battle the Reds.





FA Cup History

Chelsea and Liverpool have played each other ten times in this competition, with first blood going to the Blues in a 2-0 semi-final win back in 1932.

Liverpool have won four of the last nine post-war fixtures, most recently the 2006 semi-final.

Chelsea's most memorable non-final win over the Reds was the remarkable 4-2 comeback at Stamford Bridge, from 0-2 down at half-time. Watch highlights here.

The Blues create FA Cup magic in front of the recently demolished Shed end. Credit: Sports Mole

The Road to the Final

Chelsea scored eighteen goals on their way to Wembley, including the 5-1 rout of Spurs in the semi-final.

It was a pleasing cup run that saw off Portsmouth (whom Chelsea beat in the 2010 final), Birmingham City, Leicester City and their bitter London rivals, QPR.

It's a fantastic stadium and a fantastic occasion - Petr Cech

Liverpool managed seventeen goals on their march to the capital, thrashing Oldham and Brighton 5-1 and 6-1, and battling to 2-1 wins against Manchester United, Everton and Stoke.

Six-time winners Chelsea would contest the 131st FA Cup Final against seven-time champions Liverpool at the new Wembley Stadium.



The First Half

Chelsea started brightly and an incisive through ball from Juan Mata inside the Chelsea half found Ramires in space.

The Brazilian shrugged off a lukewarm challenge from left-back José Enrique and charged into the box. Pepe Reina shaped for a save on the far post but Ramires had other ideas. He fired it home at the near-post from 12 yards out.

When you come to Wembley you want to win it. Otherwise it doesn't mean anything - Roberto Di Matteo

1-0 Chelsea. Cue an improvised samba routine in front of stunned Liverpool fans.

Liverpool responded. Former Blue Glen Johnson whipped in a teasing ball that forced Ivanovic into two reaction clearances.

Man of the Match Juan Mata congratulates the goalscorer Ramires. Credit: TheFA.com

The Second Half

Before receiving a simple pass from Mikel on halfway, Lampard had already looked up to check Didier Drogba's position.

With the ball now at his feet, Lampard glanced up, checked again, then skipped past the on-rushing Jay Spearing with ease.

It feels amazing. The older you get, you know you're not going to go on forever, so you appreciate them (the wins) even more - Frank Lampard

Lampard sent a direct, cushioned pass to Drogba on the edge of the box. The Ivorian took two touches.

The first slowed the ball down and forced Martin Skrtel pull out of a tackle. With space to re-shape, Drogba drilled a clinical shot towards goal with his second.

Reina again shaped for a save on his right and, just like the opening goal, the ball crashed past him on the left. Drogba peeled away to the corner flag and slid on his knees towards his adoring fans, the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

He (Didier Drogba) is the king of Wembley - Michael Essien

2-0 Chelsea. But the drama was far from over.

Didier Drogba celebrates on his knees at the new Wembley Stadium. Credit: SB Nation

José Bosingwa failed to clear an innocuous Luis Suarez pass and the ball found its way to Andy Carroll, on as a second-half substitute.

The Liverpool number 9 proved he was as good with his feet as he was with his head, turning John Terry inside and out before firing high past Petr Cech from six yards out.

2-1 Chelsea and game on.

Nine minutes from time, Suarez would provide the assist for the goal that never was.

His high cross was met by Carroll who powered it towards goal, only for Cech to claw it to safety via the under-side of the crossbar.

What would a game between Chelsea and Liverpool be without controversy? 

Post-match goal-line technology confirmed the ball was not over the line. Credit: Mirror.co.uk

As with the so-called 'Ghost Goal' given during the 2005 Champions League semi-final clash at Anfield, the debate largely rages on (this one exclusively in Liverpool).

Fine margins often define games between Chelsea and Liverpool and at full-time, the Blues were once again dancing home down Wembley Way.

Another trophy! - John Mikel Obi

Reborn under the guidance of a former player, this ageing team who had suffered from indifferent form in the Premier League, had somehow survived a late red onslaught to lift the FA Cup for the 7th time in club's history.

Next stop, Germany.

Chelsea were crowned FA Cup champions for the 7th time. Credit: TheFA.com

The Aftermath

Chelsea would lift a second trophy that month, beating Bayern Munich on penalties to finally bring the biggest prize of them all, the Champions League, to London.

Read more on this blog

The win secured the Blues place at Europe's top table for another season and helped cement Roberto Di Matteo's place a permanent head coach.

The passion that I have for my job and this football club... I will try to transmit this to the players - Roberto Di Matteo

Liverpool, who had already secured European football by winning the League Cup earlier that season, finished eighth in the Premier League.

A third consecutive season without Champions League football meant that this would be Kenny Dalgish's final game in charge of his beloved club. 

Dalglish was relieved of his duties by the new owners two weeks later, with former Chelsea youth head coach Brendan Rodgers succeeding him as manager.

Matchday LIVE!

Chelsea face Liverpool in the FA Cup 5th round at Stamford Bridge.

Kick off is at 7:45pm.

Get the latest news at chelseafc.com

Check out the latest Oddschecker odds

Video

Watch highlights of Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool in the FA Cup Final 2012:

Who do you think will win this year's game between Chelsea and Liverpool? Comment below.