FA Cup Final. At Wembley. Against Everton.

The final match of the season. The final match of Guus Hiddink’s initial tenure with the Blues.

What else do you need? How about a trophy presentation following the final whistle? Me likes.

Don’t engrave Chelsea’s name on that piece of hardware just yet, however.

Everton is a great side. No, a fantastic side. David Moyes’ has worked small miracles on Merceyside. This season alone he’s fought off a shrinking budget and numerous injuries, even pushing the Toffees into fifth place in the Premier League. Oh, and reaching a cup final, too. That’s no big deal. Really, if we weren’t playing for the cup, I’d be rooting for Everton.

Chelsea will have to be focused and in form to emerge victorious in a match that will no doubt be very tight. Expect, as always, for Frank Lampard to be at the center of what’s good for the Blues. However, Florent Malouda — who, by the way, is probably pissed about this Zhirkov business — to continue his sterling run of late with a goal.

Prediction
Like I said, this will be extremely tight. 2-1 to our Blues.

Alright, people. Let’s get up, get out and get something — a second title in three seasons.

“Back in March, just one month after I started working at Chelsea, supporters from the Fans’ Forum came to visit us at Cobham.

I can remember the supporters telling me then that although they knew we were trying hard to win the Premier League and the Champions League, we should not underestimate how much the fans wanted to win the FA Cup this year.

We talked about that and so far we have kept our promise by going to the FA Cup Final.

For Chelsea, for the team, it is very important to be there, and also for the fans.

We made the promise come true as much as we can and we hope we can make the next step to get the silverware as well.

A big club like Chelsea needs to win some titles almost every year and everyone knows how the situation has been this season. It was a very good start to the season, the middle it was a little sloppy, and then a rather good end – and it will be perfect to have won a cup.

Make no mistake, the FA Cup is a big title, not only recognised in England but also worldwide.

A cup final is special. It is different from other big league games or semi-finals and when I was a young kid, or after that a professional player, or even when I was beginning as a manager I always had one Saturday in May when I said, hey, this is my afternoon for watching the FA Cup on television.

The whole atmosphere around it is very impressive and the vision of the stadium made a big impact. Most of the Finals were so emotional and so tense.

I have been hearing the players say how much they want to win the FA Cup so I will leave Chelsea with a medal, but I want them to win it for themselves.

We have some players who are at the start of their careers and some who have already a beautiful career, but if every now and then a trophy materialises, it is the cherry on the pie.

The preparations for the game have gone well. We had last week some small problems with some players but they recovered very well at the beginning of the week and I think the team is fully fit.

We have been scoring goals in the last few games and that is important but also important is remembering what has happened this year when Everton is our opponent.

They have shown twice already this season that they can match up with Chelsea so it will be tough. But when we have played tough opponents, it is obvious that the team always reacts to the challenge, even if there is a set-back. We hope we don’t have that experience at Wembley but this team is always fighting and that is nice to see.

We have a squad of players who have played many big games which could benefit us. Let’s hope so, let’s think so.

When you play lots of big games you do get used to it but also we must not underestimate Everton because they will rise to this occasion and they are experienced as well. Some of them have played big tournaments and they are in the Premier League where you gather a lot of experience. But yes, having played many big games, that might be an advantage for Chelsea.

I am told the fans have special big flag for me at Wembley and if so, I will be very pleased because I didn’t expect that appreciation. Of course we did rather well in the Premier League from February on and we did well in the Champions League and also in FA Cup, but being here a short period and knowing that people know already what success is in this club, then being appreciated so much is a wonderful experience.

I would like to thank the fans for that, for the support they have given the team all season and for the big support I am sure they will provide on Saturday.”

Saturday, the Sky Blues host Chelsea at Ricoh Arena in the quarterfinals of the world’s oldest cup competition. A shock result is certainly not out of the question, either.

Both clubs enter the match on a good run of form. Coventry has defeated both Wolves and Birmingham since the beginning of February. The Blues are unbeaten under interim boss Guus Hiddink, a run of four straight wins.

More prominent news for Chelsea fans is the return of Ricky Carvalho and Michael Essien. Both could see minutes Saturday. Cashley is set to start despite going all Mike Riley on some police officers this week — mainly because Paulo Ferreira has been ruled out for the season after rupturing his ACL on Thursday. Other than that, expect to see a near full-strength squad from Hiddink.

Coventry will have the Leon Best, aka Lone Ranger, up front. Clinton Morrison and Freddy Eastwood are also pushing for spots. Fullback Daniel Fox will miss out with his own knee injury.

That’s all I got. Hit me up with the goods before, during and after the match people.

Following 70 some minutes of mindnumbing football, things finally livened up at Vicarage Road. Watford substitute Tamas Priskin scored with his first touch of the match. It was looking rather bleak for Chelsea at that point.

Then caretaker manager Ray Wilkins did something Luiz Felipe Scolari failed to do in seven months at the bridge — adapt. Wilkins pulled off defensive midfielder John Obi-Mikel and threw on young winger Miroslav Stoch. The result was three goals in 15 minutes and a place in the FA Cup’s sixth-round draw.

Nicolas Anelka was responsible for all three strikes, the first with his left foot. The second came from his head and the third off the right peg. It was quite the perfect hat-trick. But it all comes down to Wilkins, whose switch to a 4-4-2 with Drogba and Anelka at the point — something Scolari said would never work — proved the decisive factor.

Drogs was on from the start, flanked by Salomon “I don’t really know what it is I’m doing” Kalou and Anelka. Of course, it was rather ineffectual. Drogba, shockingly, was up for it and nearly found a way past Watford keeper Scott Loach within eight minutes. Still, Anelka was cast away on the flanks and rarely provided any substance during the first half. The two did, however, link up just before the interval with Drogba knocking on for Anelka to clip the inside of the far post. Unlucky.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half were drab. Then Priskin struck out of nothing.

Wilkins showed his mettle by ignoring the likes of Deco and Quaresma in favor of Stoch. The  Slovakian rewarded the manager by displaying a genuine threat to get to the byline. His play also freed up space for Drogba and Anelka, the later taking full advantage.  Speaking of youngsters, Michael Mancienne rose to the ocassion in his first senior-team start. In at right fullback, the 21-year-old Englishman was composed in defense and bright in attack. More importantly, he had this look of confidence about him — like he had been playing in the side for years. Certainly a major positive going forward.

Now for the negative. Two words: Michael Ballack. I’ve been patient. I’ve been supportive. Not anymore. Yes, Ballack really flourished at the end of last season. This year, he looks nothing like the same player. Slow, stagnant, the German seriously looks inept. I don’t know if it’s his role or what, but it’s time for Ballack to be dropped. Quite sad, really.

Next up for the Blues is a top 4 clash with Aston Villa at Villa Park. It will be Guus Hiddink’s first match in charge of Chelsea — and it’s basically a must-win. Here’s to hoping this little result right here with be a springboard for the rest of the year. Up the Blues.

Ray Wilkins — or Mouthpiece as I like to refer to him as — will likely be stirring the pot today as Chelsea visit Hertfordshire to take on Championship club Watford in the FA Cup’s fifth round. Our new main man, Guus Hiddink, will likely be observing from a plush sky box or the like.

On with the match preview. There are plenty of ties between these two clubs at the moment, making this tie even more enticing.

Of course, there’s Watford manager Brendan Rodgers who just a few months ago was in charge of the Blues’ reserves. Then there’s Frank Lampard Sr., a consultant for the Wasps. I’m sure the Franks are having a ball with this. On-loan Jack Cork is ineligible to play against his parent club so all’s not gravy.

EBJT will miss out because of a ban, while Ricky Carvalho is still on the mend. Petr Cech likely will return after his short stint on the sideline because of back problems.

As for the match, it should be interesting. I doubt will cruise — as we haven’t all season in any competition. I expect a win, but nothing outlandish. Let’s right the vessel, then worry about dominance. As always, hit me up with your thoughts before, during and after. Be well.

This tie will have some ties, too. “Would you like to tie me up with your ties, Ty?”

What am I talking about? Watford boss Brendan Rodgers will be hosting his former club Chelsea, where he was youth team manager. Blues youngstas Jack Cork and Liam Bridcutt are also on loan at Watford.

Here’s the draw in full (Ties to be played Feb. 14-15):

Sheffield Utd v Hull City

Watford v Chelsea

West Ham v Middlesbrough

Sunderland or Blackburn v Coventry

Derby or Nottm Forest v Manchester United

Swansea v Fulham

Liverpool or Everton v Doncaster or Aston Villa

Cardiff City or Arsenal v West Bromwich or Burnley

Should we expect a long night. I say nay.

Chelsea has finally turned the corner. That’s right, I said it. We’re about to run riot on these tricks. Word, son. Word.

Whoa. I think I was just possessed by the ghost of Kool Moe Dee. Wait, that guy’s still alive. Whatever.

Moving on. Who do you think is going to get the call today? We know EBJT is going to be resting that back, but will any of the other big guns get the night off? Somehow, I doubt it.

Let’s just hope we get to see some more of that dynamic duo, Di Santo and Stoch. And maybe Gael “Cool Cutta” Kakuta will get some minutes as well.

Ipswich are riding a pretty good run right now, unbeaten in their last five matches with three wins in that span. I expect they’ll be fairly offensive, too. We can only hope.

Anyway, let me know what you think people. Or in Special One language: Do it to me on the blog. Do it to me now (no homo).