Six year wait over for Liverpool

The final was exactly why so many of us love football. A plucky underdog and a Premier League giant. Nine times out of ten it is a straight forward victory for the Premier League outfit.

Nonetheless, Cardiff under the management of gritty Scot, Malky Mackay showed tremendous character. Many of their penalty takers were barely able to stand never mind take a penalty.

When Ben Turner scrambled home in the 118th minute, I thought it would be their day. It looked even better after Tom Heaton saved from Gerrard. Nonetheless Kenny Miller failed to take advantage of the miss and hit the post.

Next up was Charlie Adam. What an effort. A mate of mine text me at around 11.30pm to state that it was 6-2 to Arsenal, goalscorer Charlie Adam. The Scots were missing a reliable goalkicker at Murrayfield only a few hours earlier as they lost out to France! To be fair to the former Rangers midfielder he is normally very reliable from dead ball situations.

I have always been quick to criticise some of Liverpool’s so called weaker players like Johnson and Kuyt. However, they stood up and were counted. They took two penalties at a crucial time and in essence won the cup for the Reds.

Finally everyone expected Gerrard to have a big say on the tie but not too many experts expected Anthony Gerrard to have the misfortune of handing Liverpool their first trophy in six years.

The Anfield board will be hoping that they will not have to wait another six years for another trophy. King Kenny has had a season to develop his squad. One or two additions in the summer and Liverpool will be expected by their fans and owners to compete with the two Manchester clubs.

It was a crazy day in the Premier League yesterday. Scholes and Giggs (so often praised in this column) showed how crucial they are to United as they kept track of City.

Arsenal turned around their season with a stunning 5-2 victory at the Emirates. My Father and I had argued prior to the game about the outcome of the result. I firmly believed that Spurs would hammer Arsenal and I was looking pretty content with half an hour gone. Bale, Saha and Adebayor were in imperious form. However, Spurs did as only Spurs can do and simply self imploded. Five goals in thirty minutes saw Arsenal ease to a comfortable victory. Credit where it is due to the Arsenal attack. Van Persie simply oozes class and Walcott and Rosicky looked back to their best.

Still hard to see past Spurs for third place as they have what could be deemed as an easier run in. The tussle for 4th place is going to be thrilling. Arsenal v Chelsea on 21st April has the potential to be a winner takes all clash.