FA Cup Final Betting: Hiddink signs off with silverware

FA Cup / Editor / 30 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

Chelsea come from behind to win FA Cup and Rangers complete double in Scotland...

Frank Lampard scored the decisive goal as Chelsea beat Everton 2-1 at Wembley to win the 2008/09 FA Cup.

The Blues traded no higher than [8.6] in Betfair's FA Cup Winner 2008/09 market but they had to come from behind after Louis Saha put Everton ahead after 25 seconds with the fastest goal in FA Cup final history.

It was a wonderful finish from Saha - matched at [17.0] to be the first goalscorer - who met Marouane Fellaini's knock down on the turn to smash the ball into the Chelsea goal. The following 20 minutes were frantic as Chelsea dominated possession and surged forward in search of an equaliser.

As ever, Chelsea looked physically imposing and assured on the ball and there was a sense of inevitability when Didier Drogba rose into the air to meet Florent Malouda's cross and power his header past Tim Howard. It was the Ivorian's fifth goal for the club in major finals.

In the second half, Everton surrendered possession too easily and manager David Moyse became increasingly frustrated. However, Louis Saha could have won it for Toffees when he got on the end of Leighton Baines' cross in space. But the striker glanced his a header over the bar and Everton's best chance of was gone.

Five minutes later Frank Lampard drove a left-footed shot past Tim Howard from 20 yards. It was a fine strike but Tim Howard in the Everton goal might have done better.

Everton failed to carve out a decent chance and the game ended with Chelsea running down the clock in their opponent's half. The West London side were the better team on the day. Their match odds drifted no higher than [3.15] and winning the FA Cup - their first trophy since Jose Mourinho's side won this competition in 2007 - marks the cumlination of Guus Hiddink's impressive 100 day reign at the club. He will be missed.

In Scotland, Ranger's were matched at [1.73] as they overcame Falkirk at Hampden Park to complete a league and cup double.

Walter Smith's side were made to work hard for their win by a resilient Falkirk side and it wasn't until the second half that the SPL Champions made the breakthrough.

The goal was worth waiting for as substitute Nacho Novo lit up the occasion with a dipping long range effort which stunned Falkirk goalkeeper Dani Mallo.

Rangers were matched at [2.72] in the winner 2008/09 market and 1-0 was matched at [8.6] in the correct score market.