Heartbroken Reds crash to Chelsea defeat

Liverpool's season is effectively over after falling to a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat to Chelsea in the 131st FA Cup final yesterday evening. The Blues' superiority was rewarded with a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Ramires and Drogba following decisive defensive errors from Dalglish's side.

However, in the final half hour Liverpool came back into the game, as substitute Andy Carroll nearly stole the show. First, he bagged a goal to give the Merseysiders' hope, before his late header sparked controversy over whether or not the entire ball had crossed the line, opening up the debate regarding goal-line technology once again.

The main team news was that £85 million worth of striking talent was left on the bench, as Carroll and Torres failed to make the starting line-up for their respective teams, a decision that Dalglish will undoubtedly regret considering the impact the tall Geordie had on the game after his introduction. Moreover, legendary centre back Jamie Carragher missed out as Skrtel partnered Agger at the heart of the Reds' defence.

After Kopites had vociferously sung "You'll Never Walk Alone", Mary Jess Leaverland sung the traditional Cup final hymn "Abide with me" and Laura Wright sung the national anthem, before the action got underway. Apart from Drogba's long-range shot over Reina's bar 30 seconds in, there was little to report from the opening 10 minutes, as both teams nervously tried to feel their way into the contest and neither side really asserted their authority on the match.

That was until a host of Liverpool errors allowed Ramires to capitalise and give Chelsea the lead. Spearing's poor pass was intercepted by Mata, who released the marauding Ramires. The pacy Brazilian eased past the struggling Enrique far too easily and then fired past Reina, who really should have guarded his exposed near post and done much better.

Liverpool responded well, though, as Johnson crossed into the danger area and Bellamy saw his goalbound effort crucially blocked by Ivanovic. After that, Agger attempted something different as he confidently and purposefully strode out of defence but frustratingly he lost control of the ball on the by-line and Cech collected comfortably.

Despite those encouraging signs, Chelsea remained in the ascendancy; moving the ball quickly and pushing the Reds' back into their own half, leaving Luis Suarez isolated and therefore ineffective up front. Juan Mata was particularly influential between the lines, as Spearing and Henderson failed to sufficiently restrain his creativity. Before the break, Lampard fired over from range and Drogba shot just wide of Reina's post from all of 40 yards, as the Londoners entered the interval with the all-important momentum in their favour.

At that point, I wasn't overly worried as Liverpool have a reputation for performing poorly in the first half of cup finals and then coming back into the contest superbly in the second half, often leading to the agonising entertainment of extra time and penalties.

However, my concern grew significantly when Didier Drogba doubled Chelsea's lead only six minutes after the restart. Spearing was culpable for conceding the goal yet again, as Lampard skipped past him far too easily before playing in Drogba, whose shot went through Skrtel's legs, past Reina and into the net.

We should have expected a goal from the Ivorian. The 34-year old, whose Chelsea contract expires at the end of the season, has scored in every cup tie he has played at the new Wembley. With a record like that, he shouldn't struggle to find another club in the summer.

Immediately after the goal, Andy Carroll replaced Jay Spearing. The diminutive midfielder had been disappointing in the holding role in front of the back four, offering little protection to the Reds' defence and exposing how much we miss Lucas Leiva. Fortunately, though, Carroll made an instant impact. His height offered Liverpool a long ball option and his considerable build meant that he could hold the ball up in Chelsea's half, crucially allowing the midfield vital extra seconds to get forward in support of him and Suarez.

The number nine has often attracted criticism for not being a prolific goalscorer. However, on 63 minutes, ironically only moments after I had said to those watching the match with me that we needed a goal soon, Carroll converted to half the deficit. Downing had been disappointing for large spells, but his tremendous industry proved crucial in winning back possession in the left hand corner. The former Villa winger then played a square pass to Carroll, who fired into the roof of Cech's net to provide Liverpool with fresh hope.

Carroll continued to be at the heart of the Reds' resurgence, laying the ball off for Gerrard and Henderson, who hammered the ball high and wide respectively. His strike partner Luis Suarez also became more of a threat, cutting in from the left and drilling goalwards to test Cech with 17 minutes remaining.

Ex-Red Raul Meireles was greeted by boos as he replaced Ramires, while Dalglish brought on Dirk Kuyt in place of Bellamy. Liverpool persistently probed the Chelsea backline as they sought to force the match into extra time. The incident that this match will inevitably be remembered for occurred nine minutes from time and was the last real sight of goal Liverpool had in their pursuit of an equaliser.

Suarez's brilliant chipped cross picked out Carroll at the back post. He headed at Cech but the keeper pulled off a stunning save, pushing the ball onto the underside of the bar. Carroll and Kuyt wheeled off in celebration but referee Phil Dowd refused to award a goal because the linesman wasn't sure whether the ball had crossed the line. Suarez's protestations failed to persuade the officials and earned him a booking.

It was a very close call even with the benefit of TV replays, but the officials probably made the right decision. The infamous incident perhaps proves the popular belief that football evens itself out, compensating for Luis Garcia's equally controversial goal in the 2005 Champions League semi-final second leg at Anfield.

Moreover, it summed up Liverpool's intensely frustrating season succinctly. The Reds were denied by a combination of the woodwork, excellent goalkeeping and refereeing decisions not going our way, as has been the case so often during this campaign, which many fans now just want to end as soon as possible so we can start all over again.

How many times have we said that before?

YNWA