Played
May 5, 2012 5:15 PM BST
Wembley Stadium — London
Referee:‬ P. Dowd‎
Attendance:‬ 89102‎
 
64′ Andy Carroll
Ramires 11′
 
   
 
 

FA Cup Player Ratings: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool

Roberto Di Matteo's side held off a dramatic comeback from the Reds to taste glory in this competition for the fourth time in six seasons

By Wayne Veysey at Wembley

  • José Reina Paez
    16
    32
    2.50

    José Reina Paez

    Beaten far too easily at his near post for Chelsea's opener, which capped an ordinary season for the Liverpool No. 1. Could do little to keep out the second.

  • Glen Johnson
    18
    18
    3.00

    Glen Johnson

    Generally kept Kalou in check but was not as effective in the final third as he can be on his best days.

  • Daniel Agger
    35
    12
    3.50

    Daniel Agger

    Made a great last-ditch tackle to stem a first-half Kalou run and looked easily the most accomplished of Liverpool's defenders.

  • Martin Skrtel
    29
    12
    3.00

    Martin Skrtel

    Made some important challenges, particularly in the opening period, but was too slow to close Drogba down for Chelsea's second.

  • José Enrique
    21
    30
    2.00

    José Enrique

    It is saying something but perhaps the biggest culprit in Liverpool's appalling first-half no-show. Woeful in his attempt to stop Ramires racing away for the opener and his distribution was woeful for much of the game

  • Stewart Downing
    19
    24
    2.50

    Stewart Downing

    His touch and decision-making was dreadfully disappointing until Carroll came on to give him a proper penalty-box target to aim for. Won the tackle to help create Liverpool's goal.

  • Steven Gerrard
    41
    12
    3.50

    Steven Gerrard

    Comfortably the best of Liverpool's midfielders, although that is not saying much. Had to drop deeper than his team would have liked but was integral to Liverpool's comeback with his drive and precise passing.

  • Jay Spearing
    19
    30
    2.00

    Jay Spearing

    All at sea for 54 minutes before being withdrawn. Could not stem the threat of Mata and looked nervy in possession. His positioning was poor for both of Chelsea's goals.

  • Jordan Henderson
    37
    44
    2.00

    Jordan Henderson Flop of the Match

    So pitiful in central midfield he was shunted out to the right flank after 35 minutes, where he was barely any more effective. Has started all three of Liverpool's Wembley showpieces and been equally useless in each one.

  • Luis Suárez
    33
    11
    3.00

    Luis Suárez

    Isolated for an hour but came to life when he was joined up front by Carroll and caused panic with his trickery late on.

  • Craig Bellamy
    11
    24
    2.50

    Craig Bellamy

    Caused the odd moment of panic in the Chelsea defence but was unable to offer a sustained threat. Subbed after 78 minutes.

Substitutions

  • Andy Carroll
    123
    26
    4.00

    Andy Carroll Top of the Match

    Liverpool were flat as a pancake before he turned the cup final on its head with his presence and power. Engineered and dispatch his goal brilliantly and replays suggested he was possibly on the wrong end of the latest goal-line technology controversy.

  • Dirk Kuyt
    28
    6
    3.00

    Dirk Kuyt

    Lively cameo after replacing Bellamy.

  • Petr Cech
    52
    11
    3.00

    Petr Cech

    Made the game's crucial save at 2-1 when he clawed away Carroll's header, even if the replays from above suggested fortune may have favoured him.

  • Ashley Cole
    44
    11
    3.50

    Ashley Cole

    Solid as a rock defensively, although he did not charge forward that often. His seventh FA Cup winners' medal is well deserved.

  • John Terry
    42
    10
    3.00

    John Terry

    In complete command until Carroll came off the bench and proved that the Chelsea captain is not as dominant as he once was.

  • José Bosingwa
    24
    18
    2.50

    José Bosingwa

    Unflustered and commanding for an hour but suffered in the last third of the match as Liverpool targeted his defensive weaknesses.

  • Branislav Ivanovic
    30
    10
    3.00

    Branislav Ivanovic

    Cruised through the match until Carroll exposed his lack of penalty box presence and got constantly out-jumped and out-powered late on.

  • Frank  Lampard
    45
    13
    3.50

    Frank Lampard

    Maintained his fine run of form with an accomplished performance, although he looked leggy in the last 20 minutes. Set up Drogba's goal with an astute pass.

  • John Obi Mikel
    33
    11
    3.00

    John Obi Mikel

    The slow pace of the game suited the Nigerian, who never got out of second gear and never needed to.

  • Ramires
    58
    7
    3.50

    Ramires

    Enhanced his reputation as a big-game player by running on to Juan Mata's early pass and fending off Jose Enrique to put Chelsea 1-0 up from a tight angle.

  • Didier Drogba
    62
    8
    3.50

    Didier Drogba

    The Wembley master led the line brilliantly and arrowed his eighth goal in eight matches under the arch across Reina with power, precision and complete certainty.

  • Salomon Kalou
    28
    13
    3.00

    Salomon Kalou

    Looked dangerous when he charged towards the goal but, as ever, his final ball often let him down. Should have scored in added time.

  • Juan Mata
    61
    11
    4.00

    Juan Mata

    The Spaniard's sharp mind and twinkling feet lit up a cloudy north London day. His elusiveness got him into some dangerous positions and made the most of them, notably creating the early opener for Ramires. Faded late on and subbed.

Substitutions

  • Raúl Meireles
    23
    9
    2.50

    Raúl Meireles

    Brought on to shore up the midfield but the game passed him by

  • Florent Malouda
    14
    13

    Florent Malouda

    Came on too late to make any difference

Results
 
Match News
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Danny  Hylton Danny Hylton
Striker
Aldershot
8 0
Carlos Tévez Carlos Tévez
Striker
Manchester City
5 0
Scott  Rendell Scott Rendell
Striker
Luton Town
4 1
Marvin  Sordell Marvin Sordell
Striker
Bolton
4 1
Demba Ba Demba Ba
Striker
Chelsea
4 0