Lampard was instrumental in the Blues' latest victory in the world's oldest club cup competition, setting up what proved the decisive goal for Didier Drogba to make it four final wins in the last six seasons.

Chelsea looked set to endure its worst campaign since Roman Abramovich bought the club before sacking manager Andre Villas-Boas two months ago, with caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo performing a minor miracle to lead them to both the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League finals.

"It's been a tough season, so it makes it that even more bit special to win," Lampard said.

The 33-year-old was also fully aware he may not have many more chances to add to his FA Cup medal collection.

"I think they get even sweeter as you get older because you know they don't always keep going forever," he added.

"It's been a brilliant competition for us, recently, obviously."

Drogba also made history by becoming the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

Lampard said: "It's been well documented how many big goals he gets us in finals.

"When you've got people like that in your team, you've only got to try and put it in their path.

"It goes down in history and big players perform in big games."

Lampard was hoping that would be the case in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich on 20 May.

"We've got one more to go and who knows?" he said.

"Rather than go off the back of a defeat in a final, you want to go with a win.

"It's a completely different game, different setting.

"Hopefully, we can take the confidence and get the result we want but it'll be a very tough game.

"We've been very close in the Champions League quite a few times and the club and the players, the fans, are desperate to win it.

"We know we've got one hurdle to do but we'll be giving everything to do it."

John Terry and Lampard lifted the FA Cup together but the latter was coy about discussing whether the same would happen when he deputises for his suspended captain in Munich.

"I think too much has been made of that," Lampard said.

"First of all, we have to win it.

"You don't lift cups if you lose finals.

"We've lifted it together many a time and if we win it then we'll deal with that situation."

Having fallen out somewhat with Villas-Boas, Lampard could not speak highly enough of Di Matteo, whose hopes of being appointed permanent manager enjoyed a huge boost last night.

"He deserves every accolade you can possibly give him for what he has done," Lampard said.

"To turn that around from a very difficult situation, to get the big players playing, to get confidence running through the team, to get the club and the fans to react in the way he has done...

"It's a club decision come the summer, obviously, but I don't think Robbie's a loser whatever happens, without a doubt."

Mata also picked up the man-of-the-match award in the side's 2-1 win over Liverpool to cap a dream maiden final.

Last year's northern summer signing from Valencia watched Ashley Cole lift the cup for the seventh time, John Terry pick up a fifth winner's medal and the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech celebrate a fourth Wembley triumph.

Mata said: "Of course, it's very important for us, that experience, to have players like Didi, Lamps, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, JT."

"They've played a lot of games here, a lot of finals."

"As well, we have young players like me."

"It's my first FA Cup and I wish to win four or five like them."

The 24-year-old, who has arguably been Chelsea's player of the season, added: "It was an amazing day for me."

"It's my first year here, my first season, my first title with Chelsea."

"I really enjoyed the game, the atmosphere at Wembley - one of the best stadiums in the world, and I'm very happy."

Despite his outstanding personal displays, Mata looked set for an unhappy first season in English football until Roberto Di Matteo replaced sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas two months ago.

But he could now be part of the most glorious campaign in Chelsea's history, with the UEFA Champions League final still to come on May 20.

"We won the first final and we have another great chance to win another title, the most important in Europe, and we are all looking forward to playing this game," Mata said.

"It hasn't been an easy season for us in the Premier League, with the change of manager and everything."

"We were still fighting for a title, we achieved this one, and we have the possibility to win both."

"Chelsea never give up."

Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to set itself up perfectly for its showdown with Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

It will be the Blues' second Champions League final after it lost on penalties to Manchester United in Moscow in 2008.

The side went into the match having been beaten to the English Premier League title, as well as losing the Carling Cup final.

Goalkeeper Cech, who produced one of the greatest saves in FA Cup final history to help Chelsea to victory, said: "When you win a cup and you go to the Champions League final, it gives you a lot of confidence and the mood is obviously different when you win a cup than when you lose a cup."

"We have two weeks to prepare and we have another opportunity to have this same feeling again."

"We can concentrate on that full of confidence - it would have been completely different if we'd lost, but we didn't."

That Chelsea held on was down to Cech, who produced a simply extraordinary stop from Andy Carroll in an incident reminiscent of the 'ghost' goals both Liverpool and Chelsea had scored in matches over the last seven years.

Replays and computer graphics appeared to show Cech only just prevented the whole of the ball crossing the line.

The 29-year-old, who collected his fourth FA Cup winners' medal, was adamant he had kept it out.

But with Chelsea having been controversially awarded a goal in almost identical circumstances in the semi-final, Cech could not believe goalline technology was still not in place in football.

"It should've started 10 years ago," he said.

"I understand the point people are making that not everybody would have the chance - or every league have the chance - to have the same possibilities to have the video linesman."

"But, in the end, you can't compare the Premier League even with the Czech league."

"If you look around, football is actually the only sport in the world at the highest level which doesn't have that help."

"There are people thinking about it. They haven't allowed it for I don't understand what reason."

What was not in doubtwas Didier Drogba making history by becoming the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

The striker maintained his record of netting in all eight cup ties he has played at the home of football and Cech said: "This is his stadium, he's been scoring all the time and you can see it coming."

"Every time he touches the ball, he shoots, he scores."

Caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo also became the first manager to win the cup having scored in a previous final.

The Italian's prospects of being appointed full-time were also boosted.

"It didn't do him any harm by winning the cup, I'm sure," said Cech, who insisted it was down to the board whether Di Matteo was kept on.

"As a player, I need to respect any decision of the club."

"I will not say anything because I've been saying it all the time."

"There have been eight managers (since I joined the club)."

But he revealed the Blues had still not given up hope of persuading Didier Drogba to sign a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea captain John Terry said he hoped beating Liverpool would help Di Matteo land the manager's job full-time.

Gourlay has been adamant no decision would be taken until after the UEFA Champions League final on May 20 and he said after the side's 2-1 triumph: "I'm not going to change my mind on what I've said."

"We've just got to take - the cliched - one game at a time. That's honestly the way that we've treated things."

"We've got three games left, we'll see how we finish."

"Hopefully, we can take this forward now to Munich and make us all proud and then we'll take things from there."

Gourlay hailed the extraordinary turnaround Di Matteo had masterminded since replacing the sacked Andre Villas-Boas two months earlier.

"He's done very well since we brought him in as the interim manager and I think the players have responded particularly well as well, so there's been a good team effort," Gourlay said.

"When you look back and where we've got to, I think we've come a long way."

Drogba made history by becoming the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

The striker appeared certain to leave Chelsea when his contract expires in the northern summer, after rejecting a one-year extension.

Gourlay said: "We're always talking to Didier."

"Didier loves Chelsea and we love Didier and we'll continue to have the conversations and we'll see where that goes."

Drogba, 34, had been demanding a two-year deal and asked if there was any wriggle room on either side, Gourlay added: "I don't want to go into contractual things. It's not right for me to do that."

Liverpool striker Carroll was denied what would have been a dramatic equaliser on 82 minutes when his close-range effort was parried against the underside of the bar by Cech before being cleared to safety.

Carroll wheeled away to celebrate but referee Phil Dowd checked with his assistant and ruled the ball had not crossed the line.

Television replays of the incident proved the decision was correct but the incident is certain to fuel calls for the introduction of goal-line technology.

Cech was certain the match officials made the right call.

"I don't think it (Andy Carroll's header) was over the line. If the ball was behind the line I couldn't have put it out," Cech told the BBC.

"I'm sure it was not behind. I haven't seen it but I'm persuaded it wasn't in and I knew it from the first moment," added Cech, who is now looking forward to the UEFA Champions League final against Bayern Munich on 20 May.

"It's fantastic what we've achieved and we still have one more final to go and hopefully we can make it two. I've won it for the fourth time and it doesn't matter how many times you win it the atmosphere is always the same."

Carroll admitted he could not be sure if his goal should have stood.

"I thought it was over the line and you know better than me but I thought it was. I thought it hit the other side of the bar but I haven't seen it back," said Carroll, whose introduction from the substitutes bench early in the second half threatened to tip the game in Liverpool's favour.

"I thought it was unlucky - I had a few chances and could have put them away but it wasn't to be," Carroll said.

"We came here to win, it's been disappointing in the league, we got here and it was unlucky because it would have taken us into extra time. I did the best I could when I came on and we were unlucky."

Terry led Chelsea to its fourth FA Cup triumph in six seasons as Liverpool were defeated 2-1 at Wembley on Sunday (AEST) but the England defender believes Di Matteo and Drogba deserve much of the credit for the Blues' recent revival.

Just two months ago, Chelsea's season looked in danger of imploding after Andre Villas-Boas's dismissal, yet now it is halfway to an FA Cup and UEFA Champions League double.

Di Matteo's calm, low-key approach has won over senior players such as Drogba and Frank Lampard, who felt snubbed by Villas-Boas. They have responded with some heroic performances.

Di Matteo however still does not know if he will be given the job on a permanent basis, as Blues owner Abramovich is reported to be considering offering Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho a return to the Bridge.

And while no one epitomises the Chelsea revival more than Drogba, his eighth goal in eight Wembley appearances came in what may prove his swansong at the famous stadium.

Drogba, out of contract at the end of the season, has yet to sign a new deal, but Terry has no doubts both he and Di Matteo must be kept on.

"Big players thrive on big occasions and Didier did that here," Terry said.

"I hope he will stay. It would be such a shame if he went. He has been incredible for this football club.

"Throughout the world when people look at Chelsea they look at Didier and these kind of players.

"He loves the club. After the Champions League final hopefully something can be thrashed out and he stays."

Beating Bayern Munich in that Champions League final in the German club's own Allianz Arena on 20 May would surely convince Abramovich to keep Di Matteo as well as the ageing but still dynamic Drogba.

Terry, who will be suspended for the final after his red card in the semi-final against Barcelona, certainly thinks so.

"We fought very hard in the FA Cup. The togetherness has been incredible and Robbie deserves a lot of credit for that," he said.

"He has been incredible. It is a decision the board will make and hopefully with this win and we can go on and achieve great things at this football club and make it a very easy decision for the board."

Missing the Champions League final will be painful for Terry, especially after his failed spot-kick cost Chelsea victory in the 2008 final against Manchester United, but he hopes to lift the trophy along with stand-in captain Lampard as a non-playing member of the squad.

Terry and Lampard raised the FA Cup together on Sunday and the defender said: "I hope we can do that. We did it when we won the double as well.

"It is moments like that which live in the history of the football club and it is important Frank and myself are there lifting trophies."

Striker Andy Carroll came off the substitutes' bench to breathe life into a Liverpool fightback which ended in a dramatic 2-1 defeat.

Chelsea had gone 2-0 up through Ramires and Didier Drogba before Carroll, the £35 million ($55 million) misfiring star signed from Newcastle United, scored with a thunderous left-foot shot after giving defender John Terry the slip.

Carroll then claimed he had scored an equaliser with a close-range header which Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech pushed onto the crossbar.

With Liverpool's players believing they were back in the game referee Phil Dowd consulted his assistant Andrew Garratt, who ruled it was no goal.

Television replays were not conclusive as to whether the ball had crossed the line, although computer graphics suggested later it might have done.

Dalglish, however, said: "I've not seen it on television but somebody said sometimes you get it and sometimes you don't. This time we didn't get it. If the officials have got it right I hope they get the credit they deserve for it.

"It is credit to the lads that they went close to getting an equaliser after big Andy scored, but we left ourselves too much to do and I don't think the first hour was a true reflection of the quality of the players.

"They were excellent for the last half hour but the game lasts for 90 minutes and with a team the quality of Chelsea you can't give them two goals start and expect to give yourself an opportunity to get something from the game."

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo admitted he did not know whether Carroll's header had crossed the line but he preferred to salute the performance of Cech.

Di Matteo said: "From where I was standing I couldn't see. I looked at the linesman and the linesman didn't flag for the goal so I was quite happy for that.

"We have got a great 'keeper and he made a fantastic save today."

He smashed home a superb goal not long after his arrival then, with nine minutes left, rose to meet Luis Suarez's cross at the far post. Carroll was convinced he had scored before Petr Cech clawed it on to the crossbar, but linesman Andrew Garratt was not so sure - and those with the advantage of TV replays were mostly of the same opinion.

Once another goal-bound Carroll effort had been blocked in stoppage time, the Blues were able to complete their fourth FA Cup triumph in six seasons, and give Roberto Di Matteo his first piece of silverware as a manager in what could turn out to be a glorious double against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final this month.

There was no hint of the drama to follow when Juan Mata slipped a pass beyond Jose Enrique and the Liverpool fullback failed to recover his ground, allowing Ramires to bear down on the Reds' goal and then leave Jose Reina stranded as the ball was slotted past him and into the net at the near post.

It was not until the half-hour, when Steven Gerrard started to get in advanced areas, that the Merseyside outfit began to exert any influence on the game, but by that time Drogba, Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou had all wasted half-chances.

Branislav Ivanovic, like Ramires banned from the Champions League final in Munich on 20 May (AEST) , had done well to block a snap-shot from Craig Bellamy early on. That was Liverpool's only opportunity though, until Suarez rose on the edge of the six-yard box only to nod Jordan Henderson's knock-back wide.

Unfortunately for Kenny Dalglish's team, its momentum was halted by the half-time break and before it could get into its stride again for the second 45, Chelsea had doubled the advantage.

Drogba found space on the left side of Liverpool's area and rattled a shot through Martin Skrtel's legs and into the far corner.

It prompted Dalglish into making his move, introducing Carroll - and the £35 million ($55 million) striker responded immediately, twisting John Terry around superbly inside the area before lashing his shot into the roof of Cech's goal.

Liverpool was convinced Carroll had levelled nine minutes from time when he rose at the far post to power Suarez's cross goalwards.

But the celebrations were cut short as the officials ruled Cech had clawed the ball out before it had crossed the line, leaving Dalglish to reflect on the moment of controversy that denied him.

In two weeks the Blues will take on Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League final but on Sunday the attention was on Wembley and Chelsea took control with goals from Ramires and Drogba.

The Ivorian became the first player to score in four FA Cup finals and he maintained his record of having won every one, although Andy Carroll ensured a tense finish.

After the 2-1 victory, Drogba told ITV: "Liverpool are a difficult team to play. Today we achieved a great result because, after losing the game against Newcastle, it was very difficult for us.

"I'm glad we won today. It's the first step."

He added of his record haul: "I'm very proud. I'm very proud of it but I have to give credit to all my teammates.

"During the last six years, I've been playing here all the finals, I'm really happy and I really want to thank them because they always put me in the best conditions to score goals.

"We made history, not only me.

"The result is great for us, for the fans, for the club.

"Our fourth FA Cup final, fourth win, fourth trophy, so I'm happy.

"That's why we play football, to play finals."

These are the Blues' previous six successes.

1970 - Chelsea 2 Leeds 1 (first match ended 2-2)

The Blues emerged victorious in a bruising final replay at Old Trafford as Dave Webb bundled in the winner. Mick Jones put Leeds United ahead but Peter Osgood equalised with a diving header from a Charlie Cooke cross.

1997 - Chelsea 2 Middlesbrough 0

Chelsea made the perfect start as its current interim manager Roberto Di Matteo put it in front after 42 seconds, with his number two Eddie Newton adding the second with seven minutes to go.

2000 - Chelsea 1 Aston Villa 0

The Londoners won the last final to be played at the old Wembley as Di Matteo - again - took advantage of a David James error to score the only goal in the 73rd minute.

2007 - Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

Chelsea created some FA Cup symmetry by becoming the first side to win the trophy at the new Wembley. Didier Drogba scored the only goal in extra time after a neat one-two with Frank Lampard.

2009 - Chelsea 2 Everton 1

Chelsea fell behind after 25 seconds as Louis Saha snatched Di Matteo's record for the fastest cup final goal, but Guus Hiddink's team fought its way back into the match and Drogba's equaliser after 20 minutes was followed by Lampard's 71st-minute winner.

2010 - Chelsea 1 Portsmouth 0

Portsmouth's Kevin-Prince Boateng saw his 54th-minute penalty saved by Petr Cech and four minutes later his misery was complete as Drogba's free-kick proved decisive and completed the first domestic double in Chelsea's history.

Fans wanted an FA Cup final to stir the blood. One to excite the packed stands under the magnificent Wembley arch.

Chelsea's 2-1 victory against Liverpool took a long time to do that. For too long it was too one-sided. Too clinical. Too desperately disappointing if you were a Liverpool supporter hoping a troubled season was to have a final hurrah.

It was just too predictable as a Chelsea side with a pleasing balance took a stranglehold on English football's showpiece occasion and proved that when it comes to one-off power no-one does it better.

How ironic then that it was saved as a spectacle by Andy Carroll, the £35 million ($55 million) misfit striker who came off the bench in the second half to breathe life and inspiration into a Red revival which gave us an FA Cup final to savour.

At 2-0 down he produced a thunderous left-foot shot into the roof of the Chelsea net, a real centre forward's blockbuster, to give Liverpool a lifeline.

After 81 minutes he rose to head goalwards, only for Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech to parry the ball on to the crossbar and down on to the line for Frank Lampard to scramble clear.

Liverpool players claimed a goal, the officials conferred, television replays suggested the tightest of decisions. In the end doubt prevailed and the 'goal' was not given.

Yet, make no mistake, despite Liverpool's heroic fightback and the dramatic impact of Carroll, when John Terry walked up to collect the cup justice was done.

Because of the Brazilian brilliance of midfielder Ramires, aided and abetted by a dreadful error in positioning from Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina, who gave Chelsea the lead after 11 minutes.

Because of Didier Drogba, the man credited with ending a civil war in his Ivory Coast homeland, who delivered Chelsea's second, a left-foot strike of searing precision to make history as the first man to score in four FA Cup finals.

But when history comes to review the 2012 FA Cup final surely it will also record that Chelsea won because of the extraordinary part played by a bald-headed Italian in a sharp suit by the name of Roberto Di Matteo.

Di Matteo stood in his technical area throughout as the drama unfolded, arms folded, a 1000-metre gaze taking in the history of what was happening before him.

Calm. Composed. Dignified. A caretaker manager who has taken care of everything asked of him since Andre Villas-Boas was sent packing by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich at the beginning of March.

Since then Chelsea has won 12, drawn four and lost just two out of 18 matches.

Those are impressive statistics. The real story, however, lies in how he has rejuvenated an alienated and warring squad, whose senior players were distinctly off-message, into a force once more in touch with its winning mentality.

On the way to Wembley, of course, it has also overcome the might of Barcelona to reach the Champions League final against Bayern in Munich on 20 May.

If the Germans watched this FA Cup final and felt just a little apprehensive then you could not blame them.

Under Matteo, Chelsea possesses that vital sporting characteristic of being able to find a way to win whatever the circumstances, whatever the opposition.

True, the Liverpool fightback rocked Chelsea briefly. There are few more stirring sights in football than Liverpool scarves waving and the sound of Scouse fans imploring their team to glory.

But 25 minutes of Liverpool passion with Carroll driving at the Chelsea defence like a human JCB was not enough to wrest the trophy from a side for whom Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Lampard were superb.

Nor should it have been. Liverpool's problem all season has been consistency. It has promised in fleeting bursts but there is a good reason it is 34 points off the pace in the Premier League.

It lacks quality in depth. It is short on creativity. For all the cash splashed on a huge squad it is a work in progress for manager Kenny Dalglish, a project which requires more investment from the American owners this northern summer

For Chelsea, it is next stop Munich and another tilt at history. One way or another, it has a knack of getting the job done.

For that Abramovich can thank the quite extraordinary impact of Di Matteo.

Chelsea has been practicing spot-kicks in the build-up to the clash at Wembley, with goalkeeper Cech having also studied videos of the Reds' previous shootouts.

But he admitted all that could go out the window should the match ultimately go the distance.

"I've seen everything I can," Cech said.

"It's all about the moment and if the player is strong enough to keep calm and place it well."

"If he does, you have no chance so, in a shootout, you try to force people to make mistakes."

"I don't know in advance which way I'm going to dive. The procedure comes in the last few seconds before he takes the penalty."

"I might be persuaded to go to the right before the game and then change my mind completely by the way he prepares to take his penalty."

"You can't always rely on what you've seen. You need to rely on your instincts."

Cech's instincts proved useless when he was beaten by one of the best goals Stamford Bridge had ever seen in Chelsea's 2-0 English Premier League defeat to Newcastle.

Papiss Cisse managed to find the net with an outrageous half-volley that swerved viciously over the Chelsea keeper.

Cech said: "I've never conceded one like that before. I've watched it three times."

"I even expected the shot and it goes in anyway."

"He meant to shoot. It was clear. I don't think he meant to shoot like that."

"I was almost on the goalline when I made the attempt to save the ball."

"I touched the ball slightly and maybe took the swerve out of it. Maybe I shouldn't have touched it and it would have swerved out."

"Sometimes, things like happen and you say: 'Well done'. It's a goal everyone will talk about again and again."

"I'm not happy if I concede but, if you concede one like that, I say: `I don't like that but I can do nothing about it'."

"That's the reality and you have to accept the goal will go in and there is nothing you can do."

Cech was determined to bounce back from that defeat by winning his fourth FA Cup.

"I've won three FA Cups and it would be great to have a fourth," he said.

"It's always special to win the FA Cup."

It would be even more special to win the UEFA Champions League a fortnight later but Cech would not trade one trophy for the other.

"The FA Cup is so small it can fit inside the big one," he joked.

The Chelsea striker will face his former side in Saturday's (Sunday 02:15 AET) FA Cup final, including fellow Spain international Reina.

Under Roberto Di Matteo, Torres is finally finding form arguably for the first time since his £50 million move from Anfield.

Reina was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying: "I don't think Chelsea, as a club, delivered for him - the pressure was there, but I don't think it was only down to Fernando.

"The difference between Fernando and myself is I have had the confidence of the people at my club all the time.

"I don't think that has been the case for him at Chelsea.

"It is much easier to get over mistakes when you know you have the confidence of your manager and your team-mates.

"With [former manager] Andre Villas-Boas especially, I don't think Fernando felt that."

Chelsea striker Drogba has known that feeling more than any other player since the stadium was rebuilt in 2007, having found the net in every one of his seven competitive appearances there.

And the man who netted the winner in both the 2007 and 2010 FA Cup final would love nothing better than to make it a hat-trick against Liverpool.

"I feel like a kid, feel like a kid scoring a winning goal," said Drogba.

"We were practising free-kicks out on the pitches today and, with the last free-kick, Ramires scored and he reacted like a kid would react.

"It's the same feeling for everyone, scoring a goal in a big game, a final, it's a dream."

Drogba dreamt of playing at Wembley since he was a child, recalling watching the 1996 final between Manchester United and Liverpool.

He said: "My dream was to play at the old Wembley, where I saw all those big games: from Chelsea; when Eric Cantona - one of my favourite players - scored that goal there.

"So that was my dream. But I'm quite happy with the new one."

Drogba seems to come alive at the world's "most famous" football cathedral.

"I haven't been to the Maracana, but Wembley is, for me, the most famous one," he said.

"We've had some good results there. We won, I think, all our FA Cup finals there, so it's a good stadium for us. Maybe it's our lucky stadium.

"I feel comfortable on this pitch.

"When I decided I wanted to play football when I was young, I wanted to play in big stadiums like this."

Saturday's (Sunday 02:15 AET) game could be Drogba's last chance to do so.

"I hope not, I hope not," said the 34-year-old, who looks destined to leave Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of this season.

The Blues did not consider him worthy of more than a one-year extension and he said: "People forget I started football late.

"At a high level, I only really started when I was 25 or 26, so I feel fresh, I feel good, I want to play."

No-one has done more than Drogba to propel Chelsea to both the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League finals at the end of a season in which he has dealt with more than one serious injury.

He said: "I think there are no miracles. The knock I had to my head against Norwich was very hard, very difficult.

"I had a lot of problems after that.

"Then I decided to take my time and work on my arm, which was broken before the World Cup back in 2010.

"I wanted to get that right so did some work on it, some surgery on the screws in my arm.

"So I took my time to come back fresh and good, and the African Cup of Nations helped me a lot to get me back to fitness.

"When I came back here, I had a chance to play and show that, I may be 34, but I'm still young, I'm still fresh. I've still got some kilometres in my legs."

Caretaker Blues boss Di Matteo has been rewarded spectacularly for playing to his squad's strengths since replacing the sacked Andre Villas-Boas two months ago.

Unlike Villas-Boas, the Portuguese's former assistant has had no qualms about grinding out victories when necessary.

And while that may not chime with owner Roman Abramovich's desire to see `Barcelona in blue shirts`, it has proven mightily effective.

Throw in the extra tension of a cup final and it could be the best route to glory for Chelsea in the coming days.

Di Matteo said ahead of Saturday's (Sunday 02:15 AET) FA Cup final with Liverpool: "Because it's a big game, nobody wants to lose, and there isn't really any chance to get back if you lose.

"It might be one like that, yeah.

"Two good teams and every game we've played against each other has been quite balanced."

Asked if he would take a 1-0 win both in the FA Cup and in the Champions League final a fortnight later, he added: "I'd sign any day."

Chelsea has not exactly been dull under Di Matteo, winning its FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 and thrashing Queens Park Rangers 6-1.

It has also beat Napoli 4-1 in the Champions League, while its semi-final win over Barcelona could hardly be described as boring.

Di Matteo said: "I think we've scored a lot of goals, to be honest.

"Scoring goals, creating chances, it means you are playing in the right direction.

"But there is also time when you have to defend as a team. It can't be one-way.

"It's always better to win. If you can win with some attractive style, that's probably perfection.

"Maybe you should do a survey with the fans to see what they think about it.

"Winning is important. If you can do it with the way you think is best to win the games, it can entertain as well.

"People come to watch football to be entertained at times."

It may be dull on the pitch on Saturday but it will certainly be lively off it.

There has long been enmity between Chelsea and Liverpool fans, not helped by the disgraceful disruption of a minute's silence by the former supporters for the Hillsborough disaster during last month's semi-finals.

It goes back further than that to when Abramovich first bought the Blues, with Liverpool supporters accusing them of buying their success and having no real history.

Di Matteo said: "There is a big rivalry between Chelsea and Liverpool, yes.

"Our fans probably feel similar, if not the same, towards Liverpool."

He added: "Every time we play them, they play very well against us.

"They seem to raise their game against us. Because I guess they're playing against us. I've seen them playing against other teams, but they do their best against us."

Lampard also explained how visualisation transformed him from a shot-shy youngster into one of the greatest goalscoring midfielders of his generation.

Blues star Lampard was acutely aware of the historic significance of Saturday's (Sunday 02:15 AET) FA Cup final against Liverpool and the UEFA Champions League final a fortnight later.

The 33-year-old said: "I've never been more aware about what a situation like this means - tomorrow, in two weeks.

"The FA Cup final is a game you are always going to want to win, and it's a massive game against a big team.

"And then that Champions League is something we've always wanted and I'm actually desperate to win it, I make no bones about that.

"I'm very aware on both fronts."

Lampard, who has won every domestic honour in his 11 years at Stamford Bridge, added: "I think about it in bed at night. We all have those moments when you dream about being a part and a big part of a successful game.

"I know I've been fortunate enough to be parts of big moments at this club and they've been the best moments of my career by a long way.

"I'd give everything to try and be part of a winning team."

That has included using psychological techniques.

Lampard said: "I do visualise certain situations.

"When I was here with Claudio Ranieri, I had a problem with scoring at the time and he told me to visualise scoring, like basketball players visualise throwing it through the hoop rather than always doing it and doing it all the time. It's something I took on board.

"I'm not saying I'm really boring and sit there all the time visualising football, but you have your moments when you do."

Lampard admitted the next two weeks could be the pinnacle of his career.

"The first league we won here was amazing and if anything manages to beat that then it would be truly special because that was amazing," he said.

"But we are on the brink of something that could rival it if not beat it."

It could also be Lampard's last shot at glory, with the 33-year-old about to enter the final year of his contract.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich appears determined to take an axe to the club's ageing squad over the next 12 months but Lampard will not be walking away any sooner.

"I've got another year on my contract and I want to see it out," said the England star, who might have been forced out at the end of this season had Andre Villas-Boas not been sacked as manager.

"I've been pleased that I've been able to play somewhere near my top form, especially when I've had the chance second half of the season because I never felt like my legs were going or anything like that.

"I just felt like I wanted to play regularly and be able to focus and be given a good chance to play, and I've really enjoyed these last few months and certainly don't want it to finish anywhere near now."

It must irk the likes of Lampard and other members of Chelsea's so-called 'old guard' that age is seen as a handicap where they are concerned but an advantage when it comes to Manchester United's even older stars.

"Give us three or four years and people might come back with us!" Lampard joked.

"I don't mind. The players at Man United are the ones I look up to.

"Whenever I see Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes put in a performance or score a goal or something like that, I think, 'Thank God for that', because it shows people you can do it even at their ages.

"I'm sure Ryan Giggs will tell you, when he was 33, he was written off by someone in the press, or the fans or whatever."

He added: "I don't say that every game I feel a million dollars but I never did when I was 24.

"I think the good thing about experience and age is that you understand how to approach a game rather than keep trying to bomb about when your legs aren't as sharp. So I think I've got more know-how."

Watch the FA Cup final LIVE on SBS

Drogba hasn't started for Chelsea since producing two powerhouse performances in a memorable semi-final victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

However, the Ivory Coast striker is set to return to the starting line-up against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, where he has scored in every competitive match he has played - including FA Cup finals in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Along with John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, Drogba is part of Chelsea's so-called "old guard" who interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has relied on over the last two months to revive the team's season.

"Chelsea are an experienced team full of quality players," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said.

"It will boil down to the small details on the day, who gets the big decisions and who gets that stroke of luck.

"I don't think there is much between the teams and I think it is a 50-50 game."

Meanwhile, Liverpool - bidding to clinch a domestic cup double - has Gerrard, who often saves his best displays for when it really matters.

Arguably the England midfielder's most rounded display was in the 2006 final against West Ham, when he scored twice - including a stunning last-minute goal to force extra time - before Liverpool eventually won on penalties.

That was the last of Liverpool's seven FA Cup titles, which is one more than its opponent who has been England's cup specialist over the past decade.

"Chelsea at Wembley is something special and hopefully we can keep it special again," Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech said.

"We want to have trophies this season - we don't want to finish the season empty-handed - and we can have possibly two trophies at the end which would make the season absolutely brilliant."

Chelsea's hopes of finishing in the English Premier League's top four, ensuring qualification for the Champions League, were virtually extinguished on Wednesday thanks to a 2-0 home loss to Newcastle.

The Champions League final against Bayern Munich on May 19 offers Chelsea's other hope of qualifying for next season's competition but Di Matteo will be insisting his players concentrate on the game in front of them.

"The top four has gone and now the only chance we have to qualify for the Champions League is to win the final in Munich," midfielder John Obi Mikel said.

"First we have to make sure we win the FA Cup final on Saturday. We can't let that opportunity pass."

Di Matteo, who is looking to become the third straight Italian coach to win the FA Cup after Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti in 2010 and Manchester City's Roberto Mancini last year, also has fond memories of the FA Cup final.

He scored after 43 seconds in Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough in 1997 and the winner against Aston Villa in 2000.

Di Matteo can also stake what is proving to be an irresistible case for staying on as permanent Chelsea manager by achieving the first part of a possible cup double this season.

Lampard, Cole and Juan Mata should return to Chelsea's team with Drogba after all four were named on the bench against Newcastle.

Liverpool played a largely second-string team for the 1-0 loss to Fulham on Tuesday, which left the club languishing in eighth place in the league standings.

Manager Kenny Dalglish's top players, such as Gerrard and Luis Suarez, will be fresh for the final.

Carroll and Torres became entwined in one of the most dramatic transfer deals in history last year, when Torres's £50 million ($79.21 million) exit from Liverpool to Chelsea triggered Carroll's £35 million ($55.45 million) departure from Newcastle United to Anfield.

Yet the dizzying price tags have appeared to weigh heavily on both strikers ever since that frenzied finale to the transfer window, with both suffering protracted scoring slumps with their new clubs.

However, as Wembley looms even nearer, there are signs that both players are ready to start paying back their transfer fees in the currency they were hired to deliver: goals.

Torres, who could lay claim to being among the world's best strikers a few seasons ago, has suffered a horrendous first full season at Chelsea, his once lethal touch in front of goal replaced by a footballing equivalent of the yips.

The Spanish international went a staggering 1,541 minutes of game-time spanning a five-month period without a goal until he found the net twice in Chelsea's 5-2 win over Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-final.

Even that was not enough to earn Torres a place in interim manager Roberto Di Matteo's starting line-up, with the Chelsea coach relying on 34-year-old warhorse Didier Drogba in the club's biggest games.

However, Torres rose from the bench to score a memorable equaliser in Chelsea's UEFA Champions League semi-final victory over Barcelona last month, finishing with the sort of aplomb that was once his calling card.

Against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, it appeared as if Torres' Camp Nou heroics had removed a mental blockage as the striker scored his first Chelsea hat-trick in a 6-1 drubbing of its relegation-threatened opponent.

It is unclear, however, whether Torres' recent run of goals will be enough to dislodge Drogba from Di Matteo's starting XI, given the Ivorian international's remarkable scoring record at Wembley.

Drogba has scored seven goals in seven appearances at the stadium, including a wonderful strike that set Chelsea on the way to its 5-1 drubbing of Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals.

Like Torres, Carroll has shown only occasional glimpses of the sort of form that persuaded Liverpool to make him the most expensive English footballer in history, and many remain unconvinced that the 23-year-old was worth the money.

However, he has plugged away despite indifferent form, and popped up with the late goal that saw Liverpool into the final with a 2-1 win over Everton.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has been unstinting in his support of Carroll, insisting the tall striker and other members of his side thrive on criticism.

"Everyone has been battered," Dalglish said recently.

"Maybe that is what we need to get ourselves going forward.

"Everybody is entitled to their opinion but if you want to be a top player, you have to go through most of the emotions you get in football.

"Part of that is how you come back from criticism."

He has, in recent years, been one of Liverpool's men for the big occasion.

In the bowels of Wembley Stadium after the Carling Cup win, the Dutchman was characteristically modest when talking about his contribution against Cardiff, even though it ended a long six-year wait for a first medal at Anfield.

Kuyt is not your typical footballer. He does not wear the trappings of fame and fortune like a badge of honour. In most senses he is just a hard-working professional.

And that attitude is not just restricted to the pitch, where he is renowned for being Liverpool's workhorse thanks to his relentless running.

In one single event he organised last year, he raised over £140,000 ($220,000) for his own charity, the Dirk Kuyt Foundation.

That money, and more besides, supports 64 different projects for disabled children in his homeland.

He admits his involvement in such matters keeps him grounded.

"I've always appreciated what I had in my life. I've been very fortunate to be a football player. Football was - and is - a hobby for me. I never expected it to become my job," the likeable and unassuming Dutchman told Press Association Sport.

"I'm in a great position and the least you can do as a football player is to give something back to the community and to the people who are always watching you.

"I just like to make people happy. With my name in football I can reach a lot of people and together we can do something great for all these children.

"For me it's a really small thing. To see smiles on faces of the people you try to help is great.

"It is one of the things which is very nice about being a footballer - it's better than other things, like driving a nice car.

"A lot of the players are involved in charity work. You see what Stevie (Gerrard), Carra (Jamie Carragher) are doing and Daniel Agger is involved in something very good.

"I'm sure there will be others as well. It's great to see players doing their bit to give just a little bit back.

"The money we raised was unbelievable. I never expected to raise so much. It is definitely something we want to do again."

Kuyt's foundation originally began in 2006 supporting one charity in Brazil for poor street children, one in Nepal building houses for children with HIV and also a UNICEF Ghana project.

For the last four years he has concentrated on groups closer to home as he feels he can have more involvement.

"It was very difficult for people to see what we were really doing, so after two years we decided to support one thing rather than three different things in three different countries," he added.

"With just one thing everyone knows what the Dirk Kuyt Foundation stands for.

"We started to support disabled children in all different kind of sports and it's been going really well.

"We are trying to support around 64 projects, big and small, across the country.

"There is not enough money for these kind of children to do the things they like to do in sport.

"There is a lot of work to do for these children but they deserve a chance to do the sports they like to do.

"I don't have too much time to get to the events but once my career has finished that's something I want to do more of - to be there and be closer to all those people."

:: For more information see www.dirkkuytfoundation.nl.

Press Association Sport looks at some of the players who could have a decisive influence.

JOHN TERRY v LUIS SUAREZ

With the Chelsea captain suspended for the UEFA Champions League final, the centre-back will be doubly determined to impress at Wembley but faces a test keeping Suarez quiet. The Uruguay international will try to drag Terry out of position with his constant movement and then expose the 31-year-old for pace. His hat-trick at Norwich last weekend - which was rounded off by a chip from just inside the opposition's half - underlined the threat he can pose from almost anywhere on the pitch.

JOHN OBI MIKEL v STEVEN GERRARD

As the main defensive shield in midfield, Mikel will be charged with tracking Gerrard's attacking runs. In recent weeks the Liverpool captain has been controlling play from a deeper position, which will be another concern for the Nigerian, but still has the knack of charging forward at the right moment.

FRANK LAMPARD v JAY SPEARING

Lampard is good at finding space and creating goalscoring chances in the penalty area and Spearing's job as the sole defensive midfielder will be to restrict the Chelsea man's time on with the ball.

DIDIER DROGBA v MARTIN SKRTEL

Drogba's physical presence and aerial ability are a handful for most defenders but Skrtel has been Liverpool's best player this season and a more aggressive approach has helped him consistently dominate opponents.

The Reds began the campaign with UEFA Champions League aspirations but have struggled to live up to expectations in the Barclays Premier League, particularly during 2012.

Kenny Dalglish's men have lost 10 of their 17 league games since the turn of the year, winning just four.

Yet amid that dismal sequence, the Merseysiders have managed to win the Carling Cup and secure a Wembley return in the FA Cup final against Chelsea.

Because of that, Molby believes history yet could look favourably on a trying season, although he concedes there are mixed feelings on the matter.

The Dane, speaking at the BBC's Euro 2012 launch, said: "I don't know whether winning a trophy can make it a bad season, but winning two trophies would make it a great season, for sure.

"Having said that, there have still been a lot of disappointing results and performances in the Premier League that have been very difficult to forget."

Renowned for his passing ability, Molby played for the Anfield club throughout Dalglish's highly successful first spell as manager.

The Reds won three league titles and two FA Cups during Dalglish's stint in charge from 1986-1991 and Molby is convinced the Scot is the right man for the job now despite criticism.

Dalglish has been knocked for the quality of his signings since returning to the post last year as well as being castigated over his handling of the controversial Luis Suarez affair.

Molby, who made 292 Liverpool appearances from 1984-1996, said: "It is a project - you have got to give Kenny some time.

"If you think he is the right man you have to give him time.

"The big thing is the summer - is there going to be money available?

"What appetite do the owners have to go again? It is going to be really interesting.

"I'd back Kenny. I played under Kenny and have no complaints. He did a super job when I was there.

"I understand football has moved on but I still think he is the right man."

Di Matteo remains on course to mastermind a fairytale end to the Blues' season - despite the crushing Barclays Premier League midweek defeat to Newcastle United which all but ended its top four hopes.

That was the Italian's first major setback since he became caretaker boss exactly two months ago, after which he led the club to the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup finals.

It remains to be seen whether winning one or both will be enough to convince Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to hand him the reins full-time.

But Terry had nothing but but praise for the job his former teammate had done going into the showpiece at Wembley.

He said: "It's funny actually, because me and Robbie shared a little joke about this and he would never have envisaged me going on to captain Chelsea and going on to do what I've done in the game.

"And the same with him as a manager, and him being my manager and being at the business end of the season in big competitions.

"We're very passionate about the club. He cares for the club immensely, which is great, and that's certainly rubbed off on the players.

"So he's been a revelation, really, since he took over.

"He shows that he cares and the passion shows in the team meetings and on the training field when things don't go well.

"He always refers back to the way he cares about this football club, the relationship he has with the fans as well.

"He's got a great rapport with the fans, a great understanding with the players.

"He's communicating with everyone and things have gone very well for us.

"So he deserves a huge amount of credit for that."

Chelsea looked set for its worst ever season since Abramovich bought the club under the doomed stewardship of Andre Villas-Boas.

But Di Matteo has somehow managed to pick up the pieces, despite a punishing schedule that has seen it play at least twice a week for the past two months.

Terry told Chelsea TV: "We've had so many games. It's been training and playing every two or three days.

"He (Di Matteo) just kept everyone fresh in the mind that they can get a chance.

"Then, once you do get that opportunity, if you do well, you will stay in the side and progress and keep your starting place, which everyone throughout the side has felt."

NOTE: Watch the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Liverpool LIVE on Sunday 6 May from 1am AEST on SBS ONE. Kick-off at 2.15am AEST.

While the cup has arguably been relegated to the status of a sideshow by the Premier League and its offer of UEFA Champions League qualification, Dalglish believes there is glory in winning football's oldest competition.

"There is an obsession with the Premier League simply because of what it holds for every club and the value financially for every club - the rewards you get for finishing in the top four and getting in the Champions League," Dalglish said.

"But there is a satisfaction from winning a cup competition which you don't get from finishing fifth or sixth in the league.

"We have already tasted a cup final this year and getting to the FA Cup final should never be underestimated in any way."

Liverpool won February's League Cup in a shootout against Cardiff, clinching its first title since the 2006 FA Cup.

Dalglish, who won the FA Cup as both a player and manager during his initial 14-year stint with Liverpool, still views the cup final as one of the highlights of the season - even though it has been moved from its traditional slot as England's season-ending showpiece.

The penultimate round of Premier League is also scheduled for this weekend, with the final matches set for Sunday 13 May.

Liverpool and Chelsea meet in the Premier League on Tuesday in a match originally set for the weekend of the cup final.

"It is a fantastic day out for everyone and is great reward for the efforts and commitment of the players and the respect we have paid to the competition," Dalglish said.

"We think we deserve to be there and we are happy to be there."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard agreed with his coach.

Although Liverpool has no chance of qualifying for the Champions League and are languishing in eighth place - behind local rival Everton - Gerrard said that Liverpool can still be proud.

"It is a successful season," Gerrard said. "This club is all about winning big trophies and the FA Cup certainly comes under that.

"We will assess the season after the weekend. If we can look back and say 'we have won two cups,' we will be happy."

Dalglish may be hoping Chelsea's players are distracted by the UCL final against Bayern Munich on May 19.

Chelsea has dominated the FA Cup in recent years, winning it three times in the past five seasons, but its main priority is to win the Champions League - especially after the 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle effectively ended their challenge for a top-four place.

"We've been pushing the players for the last two months and they've responded extremely well," Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo said.

"My players have given everything. We've been asking them to push and push and push and they've done well.

"We'll regroup and pick them up. We've got a big game, a great final, on Saturday and we'll go again. We'll look forward to the FA Cup final. It's a great event and the motivation is going to be there."

The Stamford Bridge side faces Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena later this month as it bids to win Europe's top club prize for the first time.

In addition it is also looking to secure a top-four place which will gain it re-entry to the competition next season regardless of the result in Germany.

And although the Chelsea's task was made more difficult by Wednesday night's defeat at home to top-four rival Newcastle, Gerrard expects Roberto di Matteo's side to be professional at Wembley.

By contrast, the game is eighth-placed Liverpool's last of significance this season.

"I am sure the Chelsea players won't be thinking about the Champions League and top four once that game kicks off at the weekend," said the England midfielder.

"Chelsea are an experienced team full of quality players and it will boil down to the small details on the day, who gets the big decisions and who gets that stroke of luck.

"I don't think there is much between the teams and I think it is a 50-50 game at the weekend.

"But I suppose it helps us because that we can't do much in the league and have not got anything else going on so we can solely focus on this game."

The Reds head into Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea looking for their second piece of silverware this season having already lifted the Carling Cup.

However, Liverpool's league form has been wildly inconsistent in the current campaign and a fourth home defeat to Fulham on Tuesday night means it has now dropped 30 points at Anfield.

Its eighth-place position is well below the standard required by principal owner John Henry, who arrived on Merseyside on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's trip to Wembley, who at the start of the season felt Dalglish's side should have been challenging for a top-four place.

But while the Reds boss accepts their league form has not been good enough he does not believe it should devalue their progress in knockout competitions, having ended a six-year wait for silverware.

"Any competition you enter you want to do the best you possibly can in," said the Scot.

"In the league it is 38 games and at the end you finish in a position which tells you how successful it has been.

"In cup competitions there are obviously not as many games and if you get beaten you are out.

"There is an obsession with the Premier League simply because of what it holds for every club and the value financially for every club, the rewards you get for finishing in the top four and getting in the Champions League.

"But there is a satisfaction from winning a cup competition which you don't get from finishing fifth or sixth in the league.

"We have already tasted a cup final this year, albeit the Carling Cup, and getting to the FA Cup final should never be under-estimated in any way.

"It is a fantastic day out for everyone and is great reward for the efforts and commitment of the players and the respect we have paid to the competition.

"We think we deserve to be there and we are happy to be there.

"We will see what happens. We are in the cup final and there is no guarantee we will win but there is a guarantee we will give everything we have got to try to win.

"The season will be assessed when it's finished."

Captain Steven Gerrard has spoken a number of times in the past of having to address the club's league form and he and veteran defender Jamie Carragher both reiterated that stance.

However, both insisted winning two trophies in a season - the only two competitions Liverpool realistically had a chance of success in as it was well off the Premier League pace even before the campaign kicked off - should be regarded as an achievement.

"It is a successful season. This club is all about winning big trophies and the FA Cup certainly comes under that," said Gerrard.

"We will assess the season after the weekend. If we can look back and say we have won two cups we will be happy.

"But of course we still have to address the problem of our league position."

Gerrard added: "Some of the biggest experiences myself and Jamie have had over the years have been winning cups.

"They are nights when you are successful you look back on with fond memories.

"The FA Cup is special altogether but we got a taste of success winning the Carling Cup and that will help some of the younger players in the squad and everyone really because winning breeds confidence."

Carragher insisted putting silverware back in the cabinet at Anfield was important for the club's standing and for the players' confidence.

"We had gone five or six years before this season without a trophy and in that time we have had some great nights - European Champions League nights - but at the end of your career you want trophies to look back on as well," said the 34-year-old.

"We have one this season and if we get two, having been in three competitions, that will be a great season."

While not decrying the Carling Cup, Carragher admitted the FA Cup was another step up in prestige.

"Playing for Liverpool in a cup final is special but we realise playing in an FA Cup final is a bigger stage than the Carling Cup final," he added.

"It is fantastic for the club, supporters, manager and players. It is something to look forward to."

The Reds face Fulham at Anfield on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) but the most significant game in terms of its season is the Wembley encounter against Chelsea four days later.

Dalglish is usually adamant he and his players focus on the next match only, but even he has hinted he may pick his team to face the Cottagers with one eye on the final, in which Liverpool could win its second trophy of the campaign.

"We've said to all of the players we want to give you the best possible chance to be available for selection on Saturday," said the Scot.

"We want the strongest possible squad we can to pick from for Saturday's game, and there are many ways we can do it.

"If someone needs a break we'll give them a break and if someone needs a game we will give them a game, because every single one of them are more than capable of playing in a cup final for this club.

"It's going to be a difficult selection as it always is but it's a difficult selection for tomorrow night as well.

"Everybody will be treated fairly and equally and everybody will be allowed to put their CV in for selection on Saturday (Sunday AEDT)."

Striker Andy Carroll has returned to training having been left out of the squad for Saturday's victory at Norwich as a precaution because of a minor groin problem.

However, Dalglish is unlikely to take any risks ahead of the cup final and that could mean other key players are held back.

It leaves the Reds boss with an interesting decision over Luis Suarez, who scored a brilliant hat-trick at Carrow Road.

Losing the Uruguay international for the final would be catastrophic and defender Jose Enrique summed up what having this season's leading scorer in the side means.

"Luis is so important for us. It's great to see him doing well and I hope he can score a few more before the end of the season," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"We all know Luis is a very special player for us. He's been really unlucky this season.

"Wherever he has been, whether in Uruguay or Holland, if you look at his record he's scored a lot.

"I'm sure he will do the same here because he's a top striker.

"He always plays well, always at 200%. He showed against Norwich exactly what he can do and caused their centre-backs so many problems all the way through the game.

"He's played like that many times and had many chances and deserved a lot more goals."

Fulham visits Merseyside for the second time in three days, but despite its abject performance in a 4-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday, Dalglish will not underestimate the visiting side.

"They're a good side, Fulham, and difficult to play against," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"They got battered 4-0 at Everton on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) so I'm sure they will be a bit upset with that and they might be wounded animals coming to play against us.

"We will just play the best we possibly can and for us it's an important game.

"It's one we want to get three points from, and we'll put a team on the pitch we think can win and we want to win, then we can concentrate on the final afterwards."

The chance to complete a cup double in just over a fortnight's time looms large for Liverpool, which is seeking to offset its disappointing Barclays Premier League results with more silverware.

With hopes of Champions League qualification ended by a poor return in 2012, which has seen only three wins outside of knockout competitions, the FA Cup is realistically all the team has to play for.

But Dalglish will not accept a scenario where players think they have to save themselves for the Wembley showpiece - and he does not think they will either.

"They are coming off a back of a fantastic performance and result at Wembley on Saturday but for us to think that it is finished would be wrong and we want to continue," he said.

"It is not difficult for them to lift themselves. They are not complacent or arrogant; we are delighted we got the result at the weekend but we will not get carried away.

"The players have been really professional in the way they have gone about their job and I am sure they will continue to do that from now until the end of the season in every game we play.

"They come in and are determined to do their training properly and they want to win every game on the pitch.

"They enjoyed the result (against Everton) but I am sure they will dust themselves down and try to get some positive results from now until the end of the season.

"Although we haven't won as many games as we would have liked in the league we have still given ourselves fantastic opportunities to do that."

In the wake of February's Carling Cup triumph over Cardiff Liverpool lost five of its six league matches, which included defeats to relegation-threatened Wigan and Sunderland.

But Dalglish does not believe winning the club's first trophy in six years had a negative impact on the players and does not believe an FA Cup semi-final win over Everton will either.

"I don't think they had a problem the last time (after winning the Carling Cup)," he added.

"They played Arsenal and they were magnificent, although the result (a last-minute 2-1 defeat) was not what we hoped for or what we deserved.

"We try our best to win, we want to win and we are capable of winning so if we go about it in the right way and not rest on our laurels we will be okay.

"We will just plod on and as long as we believe in each other we will be okay.

"We have important games coming up and we want to win them."

The FA Cup Final showcases the best of English football and this year's final will see Chelsea and Liverpool go head to head at Wembley Stadium. Chelsea beat London foe Tottenham 5-1 to secure its place in the final while Liverpool overcame Merseyside rival Everton.

Liverpool, under club legend Kenny Dalglish is out to complete a Cup double, after taking out the first silverware of the season, the League Cup.

Chelsea is looking for a fourth FA Cup triumph in six seasons, and is now being managed by Roberto Di Matteo, who scored for the Blues in the 1997 Final.

SBS’s LIVE coverage of the 2012 FA Cup Final will be hosted by David Basheer with expert analysis from SBS Chief Football Analyst Craig Foster, SBS Football Analyst David Zdrilic and Francis Awaritefe.

SBS Reporter Vitor Sobral will be live on site at Wembley Stadium while Martin Tyler and Stewart Robson will provide commentary.

The FA Cup final will also be streamed LIVE online at www.sbs.com.au/theworldgame.

Rail maintenance work, and a lack of trains following a match starting late afternoon at Wembley on May 5, have left many Reds fans with travel problems.

That is, if they can get hold of a ticket. Liverpool's allocation is only 25,000 out of a Wembley capacity of 90,000, which is about 7000 fewer than the club received for its semi-final against Merseyside rival Everton.

"Sometimes that is the problem when fans are taken for granted - not just our fans but those at all football clubs," said Dalglish.

"That is the decision which has been made and it's been made outside of our control," the Liverpool great added.

"It could have been made a bit easier for them but they are fantastic fans and they will get there."

This time last week the American, together with chairman Tom Werner, had arrived from the United States for one of their infrequent visits and relieved director of football Damien Comolli of his duties, closely followed out of the door by head of sports science and sports medicine, Australian Peter Brukner.

The pair missed Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final win over Everton having gone back to the US to watch the first home game of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Sports Group's other major sports investment.

Dalglish has spoken to Henry on his return this week but said nothing too much should be read into that.

"We spoke to the owners, we speak to them frequently enough in the normal course of events," said the Scot, who last week was given the full backing of FSG by Werner despite a disappointing league campaign.

"They own the club and [if] they want to speak to the people they employ they are entitled to do that.

"It doesn't matter (where they are), if you talk to someone you talk to them.

"We've had plenty of conversations but they will remain private.

"We don't tell everyone what we speak about and I don't think there is any danger of us ever coming out publicly and saying what our conversations have been.

"It it our own private business and that is the way it should be.

"I don't know what the big deal is - if you run the football club you talk to the manager, you talk to whoever you want, it is your club.

"I don't even see why it keeps coming up. I don't hear people asking everyone else if they have spoken to their owners this week."

The players returned to the club's Melwood training ground today following a few days off after their Wembley exertions.

Despite an FA Cup final against Chelsea looming on May 5, Dalglish is confident his players will be able to focus on the league - and the improvements which have to be made - before then.

"They are coming off the back of a fantastic performance and result at Wembley on Saturday, but for us to think that it is finished would be wrong and we want to continue," said the manager.

"I don't think they had a problem the last time (after winning the Carling Cup in February).

"They played Arsenal and they were magnificent, although the result (a last-minute 2-1 defeat) was not what we hoped for or what we deserved.

"It is not difficult for them to lift themselves. They are not complacent or arrogant; we are delighted we got the result at the weekend but we will not get carried away.

"The players have been really professional in the way they have gone about their job and I am sure they will continue to do that from now until the end of the season in every game we play.

"They come in and are determined to do their training properly and they want to win every game on the pitch.

"We try our best to win, we want to win and we are capable of winning so if we go about it in the right way and not rest on our laurels we will be okay.

"They enjoyed the result (against Everton) but I am sure they will dust themselves down and try to get some positive results from now until the end of the season.

"Although we haven't won as many games as we would have liked in the league we have still given ourselves fantastic opportunities to do that.

"We will just plod on and as long as we believe in each other we will be okay.

"We have important games coming up and we want to win them."

Rail maintenance work over the coming weekend, coupled with a 5.15pm kick-off on May 5, means thousands travelling from the north-west will have to find alternative transport.

It adds more misery on supporters who have been allocated 25,000 tickets for the final – almost 7000 fewer than Liverpool's semi-final against Everton last weekend.

"Sometimes that is the problem when fans are taken for granted – not just our fans but those at all football clubs," said Dalglish.

"That is the decision which has been made and it's been made outside of our control.

"It could have been made a bit easier for them but they are fantastic fans and they will get there."

The showpiece final on Saturday, May 5 will be the first to be played under floodlights in 19 years, with the last being the 1993 replay between Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday.

It is the first time the final has been moved away from its traditional 3pm kick-off since the new Wembley opened its doors in 2007.

Since then, Chelsea has won the cup three times, lifting it in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Liverpool booked its first FA Cup Final appearance in six years with a 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday, while Chelsea hammered Tottenham Hotpsur 5-1 in the second semi-final on Sunday.

Despite making a combined 43 semi-final appearances between them, the game will be the first time the two have met in the final.

The Blues issued a statement condemning the behaviour of 'a very small minority of fans' before the 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Chelsea Football Club is extremely disappointed that a very small minority of fans embarrassed the club today by not honouring the moment's silence before kick-off.

"Chelsea FC believes all moments of respect should be honoured and today we pay our full respects to all those that suffered as a result of the Hillsborough disaster 23 years ago."

A small number of Chelsea fans chanted during the silence, a mark of respect to the 96 Liverpool fans who died at Hillsborough during an FA Cup semi-final between the Reds and Nottingham Forest.

Other fans booed the disruptive group when the silence, also in memory of Livorno's Piermario Morosini, was over. Morosini died after collapsing on the pitch during his side's game with Pescara.

Liverpool's last-four clash with Everton took place the previous day to avoid be played on the anniversary of the disaster.

He said: "We are extremely disappointed that a minority, or just a few, decided to speak or sing during the minute's silence and not respect it. We are disappointed."

It is understood that Chelsea will work with Wembley and the Football Association to try to identify the fans responsible.

Drogba has endured a difficult campaign marred by prolonged spells on the sidelines due to injuries and inconsistent form and many expect this to be the veteran striker's final year at Stamford Bridge.

The 34-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to sign a new deal, appeared to fall out of favour during Andre Villas-Boas's brief reign.

But the Cote d'Ivoire star has been given a reprieve by interim boss Roberto Di Matteo and he rolled back the years at Wembley with a simply unstoppable goal and the kind of muscular, intelligent performance that makes him a nightmare for defenders to deal with.

Drogba believes he still has plenty to offer in the twilight on his career, with his experience making it easy for him to flourish in showpiece occasions and pass on his knowledge to the newer members of the squad.

"That is experience. We have quite a few big games since I was here so I know how to approach them and how to play them," he said.

"We tried to give that experience to the new players. We have a few players here who don't really know what the FA Cup means and I think they realised today that it is a big competition and we are here to win it.

"Every season I want to win trophies. Last season was bad because we didn't win any. It is not about my last year here or whatever. I just want to win trophies."

While many of Chelsea's senior stars, including Drogba, struggled to respond to the aloof style of man-management employed by Villas-Boas, the former Marseille striker has been handled with care by Di Matteo.

The Italian keeps players informed of why they are left out of the team and Drogba is convinced that communication makes it easier to stomach being dropped.

"I think it is new for me but there is nothing bad about it," he said. "The most important thing is for the team to win games.

"Of course I would like to play more but so would the other players.

"The most important thing is the communication. It is easier when you win games. The spirit is better. That is what we are doing at the moment.

"We have all these games, they are all very important. But that is why you sign for Chelsea because you want to play these big games. That is what is exciting for me."

Drogba, who hopes to recover from a minor hamstring injury in time to face Barcelona in Wednesday evening's (Thursday morning AEST) UEFA Champions League semi-final, has developed a happy knack of scoring at Wembley.

His 43rd-minute screamer in the first half against Spurs was his seventh at the English national stadium and showed everything that he does best.

Receiving a long pass from Frank Lampard, he controlled on his chest and turned away from William Gallas before unleashing a ferocious strike with his supposedly weaker left foot that flashed past Carlo Cudicini into the roof of the net.

"The last one for me is always the best," Drogba said when asked about his Wembley record. "This one is special because I scored with my left foot.

"I'm really happy because the pass from Lamps was fantastic. I think he has been involved in 80 percent of my goals here.

"I want to thank him because he has been here with me for so long and gives me so many nice balls. When he is playing I have more chances to score. We have known each other for years and it is easier."

The on-loan Real Madrid midfielder, 25, was left out of manager David Moyes' 18-man party for the 2-1 Wembley defeat to Liverpool.

Reports suggested Drenthe may also cross the Merseyside divide this northern summer, with Reds boss Kenny Dalglish said to be weighing up a move.

An Everton spokesman said: "Royston Drenthe has been the subject of a disciplinary matter. This has been dealt with internally and the club will be making no further comment."

Netherlands international Drenthe has impressed in patches since joining the Toffees on loan in August, scoring four goals and laying on seven more.

Chelsea was edging the contest at Wembley 1-0 thanks to Didier Drogba's first-half opener when Atkinson awarded the Blues a second through Juan Mata in the 48th minute.

The Spaniard shot goalward through a crowded penalty box, but Benoit Assou-Ekotto cleared the ball with his feet while on the turf before the ball crossed the line.

Despite having a clear sight of the goal, Atkinson almost instantly blew his whistle to award the west London club the goal, a move which infuriated Tottenham's players.

The ghost goal caused Redknapp to throw his players forward and, although they pulled one back, their over-exertion cost them and Chelsea went on the rampage to claim a 5-1 win.

"The second goal was a disaster," said a disconsolate Redknapp.

"It was nowhere near a goal. It was a huge mistake.

"We looked too open after that and they picked us off. It was key.

"He's (Atkinson) made a big mistake. I don't see how he can give the goal. It's nowhere near over the line.

"There were bodies on the line and the ball couldn't possibly get over the line.

"He must have (guessed). He can't have been sure."

Tottenham's players were incensed at the decision and surrounded the referee and assistant Mick McDonough after the goal, but it was already too late. It had been given.

Redknapp revealed Atkinson had approached him afterward to apologise.

Redknapp added: "I spoke to him. He says he feels worse than I do. I said: 'I don't think so'.

"He knows he's made a mistake and he says he'll have a bad week as well."

FIFA met last Friday to discuss the introduction of goal-line technology and tests will continue this month before a decision is taken in Kiev in July whether to implement technology, which is already used in a host of other sports.

For Redknapp, its introduction cannot come quick enough.

"Goal-line technology has to come into the game. You can't keep having situations like that," he said.

Redknapp's team lacked the fluency and ruthlessness of six-time FA Cup champion Chelsea, but there was no doubt that the second goal made the challenge much harder.

With Spurs well out of the reckoning for the Premier League, the FA Cup was the only chance Redknapp had of winning silverware before a possible departure for the England job.

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo understood his opposite number's frustration, but denied the decision altered the course of the game.

The Italian said: "Apparently it didn't cross the line. I can understand the frustration, but I don't know how much it would have mattered because today we scored five, not two.

"We believe there was a penalty in our favour in the home game in the league (against Spurs), on Ramires and we didn't get it.

"Sometimes you get a decision. Other times you don't."

Tottenham was wasteful in the first half. Emmanuel Adebayor missed a glorious chance before the break and Rafael van der Vaart had a header cleared off the line before Chelsea went ahead when Drogba turned the poor William Gallas and belted a volley past Carlo Cudicini, who was surprisingly chosen ahead of Brad Friedel.

After Bale had pulled one back after Mata's goal, Chelsea turned the screw, with Ramires lifting over Cudicini before Lampard and Florent Malouda finished the job with a blistering free-kick and a cool finish.

Di Matteo has only been in charge for 12 games and now has an FA Cup final against Liverpool to look forward to, not to mention a UEFA Champions League semi-final clash against Barcelona.

"My team played very well today," the former West Bromwich Albion boss said.

"It's good to keep this positive momentum going. We go in to the Barcelona game with confidence now.

"It'll be a different kind of game to tonight, but winning brings that positivity within the team. It makes everybody feel better.

"It's not always been like that, our finishing. We were ruthless tonight, and scored some cracking goals. We always create chances, and tonight we were very clinical in finishing."

Di Matteo may have to do without defender David Luiz for the Barca game after he was carried off on a stretcher in a challenge that lead up to Bale's goal, however.

Di Matteo said: "He picked up a hamstring injury so we'll have to assess him tomorrow, but it looks to be doubtful at the moment for the next game."

Juan Mata put the Blues two up after the break in hugely controversial circumstances with referee Martin Atkinson awarding the goal despite replays showing the Spaniard's shot did not cross the line.

But that slice of luck could not detract from Chelsea's superiority.

Didier Drogba scored his seventh goal at Wembley to put the Blues ahead and, even though an incensed Spurs pulled one back straight after Mata's second through Gareth Bale, a cool finish from Ramires, a blistering 30-yard free-kick from Frank Lampard, and a late fifth from Florent Malouda wrapped up a huge win for the west London club and piled yet more misery on Spurs boss Harry Redknapp.

Many saw the game as an audition for Redknapp at the home of English football, but his team was nowhere near clinical enough and Roberto Di Matteo's side deserved the win.

Chelsea, now through to its 11th FA Cup final, raised its game to play like a team used to gracing the Wembley turf while Redknapp's team was wasteful and nervous.

Tottenham, which went in to this game with one win in its last eight league matches, will have no trophy to show for a season that started with so much hope but threatens to end with a big whimper.

Chelsea thoroughly deserved the win and will now go into Wednesday evening's (Thursday morning AEST) game against Barcelona rightly full of confidence.

There was no indication this game would end up being a goal-fest during a nervy opening quarter in north London.

Drogba bustled his way past William Gallas to get on the end of a long punt from the back but he horribly mis-hit a volley and Cudicini gathered.

The Chelsea defence then backed off and allowed Scott Parker in, but Lampard put in a crucial block.

Careless defending from Kyle Walker then almost gifted Chelsea the lead. He dallied on the ball and Salomon Kalou took advantage, galloping 40 yards towards goal before finding Mata, but his touch let him down.

The Spurs fans thought their team had the breakthrough nine minutes before half-time when Rafael van der Vaart beat Petr Cech, but John Terry cleared off the line.

Emmanuel Adebayor then missed an easy chance. The former Arsenal striker slipped his marker to get in the path of Van der Vaart's looping cross but he failed to connect and the ball struck a post before bouncing to safety.

Tottenham was instantly made to pay for the mistake as Drogba fired Chelsea ahead in the 43rd minute.

The former Marseille man picked up Lampard's long ball and turned Gallas easily before firing a fierce rising shot past Carlo Cudicini.

Chelsea's second came in the 48th minute, but only in very controversial circumstances.

Ledley King's clearance from David Luiz's header fell in to the path of Mata, whose shot hit King on the line and Benoit Assou-Ekotto then cleared while laying on the turf.

The ball had not crossed the line, but referee Atkinson blew his whistle and awarded the goal, much to the fury of the Spurs players and supporters.

Van der Vaart led the vocal protests, shouting at the referee, while another group of Spurs players surrounded assistant Mick McDonough complaining at the decision.

Atkinson waved away the protests, however, and the goal stood.

Tottenham got itself back in to the game six minutes later.

Parker's brilliant slide-rule pass sent Adebayor free, he was sent tumbling by Cech and Luiz, but the referee played advantage, allowing Bale to tap in to an empty goal from five yards.

Luiz was hurt in the challenge and was carried off on a stretcher to be replaced by Gary Cahill.

Chelsea almost restored the two-goal cushion on the hour mark when Terry climbed to meet Lampard's corner but Assou-Ekotto cleared off the line.

King headed just wide from Van der Vaart's corner as Spurs looked desperately for an equaliser in the final 20 minutes.

Redknapp looked to Jermain Defoe for inspiration, the England striker replacing Van der Vaart with 15 minutes to go, but the game soon fell to pieces for the men in white.

Ramires latched on to Mata's throughball after being played onside by Walker and he coolly lifted the ball over the advancing Cudicini.

The Tottenham fans fell silent for the first time and they started leaving in their droves with 10 minutes to go thanks to a brilliant 30-yard free-kick from Lampard which dipped and swerved past Cudicini to make it 4-1.

Malouda replaced Ramires and, worryingly for Di Matteo, Drogba hobbled off to be replaced by Fernando Torres.

Malouda robbed Gallas and wandered unchallenged in to the box, but his looping shot just missed the goal, and Torres at the back post.

Tottenham's frustration boiled over in injury-time when Parker lashed out at John Obi Mikel after the Nigerian kicked the England captain while he was on the floor. Both were booked.

The humiliation was complete moments later when Malouda got on the end of Mata's pass and slid past Cudicini for Chelsea's fifth.

The Toffees went down 2-1 in the semi-final after throwing away a one-goal lead in the 218th Merseyside derby.

Liverpool has endured a torrid Premier League season and will be underdog against Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea in next month's final.

Cahill said: "I think it's going to be difficult for them.

"They've had an indifferent season and they've just got away with it today.

"A few decisions didn't go our way but I'll just say they've got a lot of work to do."

Cahill had been hoping it would be third time lucky for him in the FA Cup, having been a runner-up in 2004 and 2009.

"This is sad because I've had two finals before in the FA Cup," he said.

"And to now not get to a final, it's heartbreaking.

"But, as much as it is for me, I really feel for the fans because it was there - you could feel it and touch it - and even as players we didn't do it in the end."

Cahill admitted Everton was the architect of its own demise.

He said: "They made some good substitutions and they scored two goals from two errors from us.

"As a team, we'll look at it, but we win together and lose together and that's the only way I can sum it up.

"It's a special group of lads and management and everyone really, really pulls for each other."

The turning point was a horrible 62nd-minute blunder by Sylvain Distin, whose blind backpass gifted Luis Suarez Liverpool's equaliser.

Cahill said: "Sylvain's been our player of the season - that's the only way I can put it.

"One mistake doesn't sum up his season.

"He's been immense and, as a team, we possibly should've still been out there playing extra-time.

"We shouldn't have conceded the second goal, giving the free-kick away and defending the way we did.

"As for Sylvain, he's a top player and it happens in football. We've all been there at one stage in our career."

Everton was ahead through Nikica Jelavic's fifth goal in five games at that stage, the former Rangers striker once again proving one of the best buys of the January transfer window.

Midfielder Cahill said: "Jela's a top player, top player. Scores goals and good for the team.

"A striker, he's what I've been crying out for and the manager's brought him in so, exceptional."

Toffees centre-back Distin took 'full responsibility' for the 2-1 loss, apologising to the club's supporters, manager David Moyes and his team-mates for the 62nd-minute blind backpass that allowed Luis Suarez to cancel out Nikica Jelavic's first-half opener.

More poor defending allowed Andy Carroll to score an 87th-minute winner as Everton's hopes of a first major trophy since 1995 went up in smoke.

Revealing he had personally apologised in the Everton dressing room after the game, Distin said: "I take full responsibility for that goal.

"I think it changed the game, so I have to accept it."

The 34-year-old's team-mates rallied around him and he added: "The guys have been amazing.

"They don't need to point at me or anything because they know I'm man enough to face my responsibilities.

"I don't need anyone to tell me what I do right or what I do wrong because I'm mature enough to know what I do right and wrong.

"That's clearly a bad mistake from me and I have to accept it, no matter the consequences.

"And, for me, the consequences are not going to the final, which is very disappointing.

"I can be only disappointed with myself.

"Right now, I need to keep my head straight.

"I'm not in a good place right now.

"I know I cost a lot of people the final and it's tough to accept.

"Personally, I just want a few days to put that behind me and re-focus.

"That's going to be very important.

"But, right now, I have to admit it is difficult because I realise where we could've been and I feel responsible for that because we are not there.

"At the moment, I don't think too much about tomorrow. I just keep having flashbacks about this bad decision from me."

Everton is a point ahead of Liverpool in the Premier League and could finish above it for the first time since 2005.

"No matter where we finish at the end of the season, we missed a final," Distin said.

"So, that won't make me feel better, no."

Distin, whose last Wembley appearance saw him taste FA Cup glory with Portsmouth four years ago, added: "I know what it is to win the cup and, today, I've obviously got the other extreme regarding the feeling.

"Only three years ago, I went on a high and now I leave the cup in the really wrong place, so it's two completely different feelings.

"That's the cup."

The Reds were forced to come from behind after Nikica Jelavic had capitalised on a Jamie Carragher mistake to give the Toffeemen a half-time advantage.

But an equally disastrous blunder from Sylvain Distin gifted Luis Suarez an equaliser before Andy Carroll silenced the doubters by ramming home the winner three minutes from time.

It means Liverpool will have the chance to add an FA Cup to the Carling Cup it won in February when it faces either Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on 5 May.

However, Dalglish is refusing to get carried away.

"It is called a work in progress," he said.

"We have said that many times before and there is no need for us to change.

"After the Carling Cup I said we are not the finished article and we are saying the same thing now."

Nevertheless, after what Dalglish accepts has been a difficult period, culminating in the departure of director of football Damien Comolli on Thursday, a rather strange season would surely be regarded as a success if Liverpool ended it as a double trophy winner.

"Winning gives you a good feeling," he said.

"If you can't enjoy winning, you might as well put the lid on the box because it is time up.

"Whether it helps or hinders lies with the individual.

"You can get a taste of it, think it is great for us to go forward and try and win something else because you enjoyed that so much or you can go complacent and say that is great we have won a trophy, that is all I wanted to do.

"The most important thing is that the players want to be more successful than they have been."

That Carroll should score the winner was sweeter because the £35 million ($53.47 million) man had wasted a golden chance to equalise at the start of the second half when he nodded Stewart Downing's excellent far-post cross wide from point-blank range.

However, as is his preference, Dalglish spread the praise amongst his entire squad rather than concentrate on the character of one individual, no matter how high profile.

"It is testament to everybody's character," he said.

"They have held themselves together and had the resolve to come back and respond positive to what has not been a great period in the club's history.

"It is not a time for us to sit down and individualise performances and go through everyone who has been on the pitch.

"It is a time for us to enjoy the moment, be respectful to Everton and over the next two or three days get back to work and make sure we are fully focussed on the league games and the cup finals still to come.

"It is not a tap you can turn on and off. If we don't keep going we won't get success."

Opposite number David Moyes could only offer words of sympathy for Distin, who apologised to Everton's supporters after the game.

However, there was no hiding the fact Moyes felt the badly-hit backpass was the game's turning point.

"Sylvain is really down," said Moyes.

"He has been here a couple of times before and has won the FA Cup before with Portsmouth.

"He knows exactly what it means and how important it is. He has been great for us so far.

"But I said there would be little between the teams. I thought there would be defining moments and they were there for all to see."

It maintained an unhappy sequence of big-game defeats for Everton against its fierce city rival, which did not make Moyes feel any better about his plight.

"It is not just me who as a manager has had to sit here and do this at Everton," he said.

"There was always a chance that would happen. You are playing against a big football club aren't you?

"But I thought the way we had been playing it was our chance.

"Liverpool have not been where they would like to be and we had been playing well.

"That is why the game was very even and there was very little between the two teams.

"But a couple of small margins changed the result.

"I feel for them all. We are all in it together, whether it is someone who makes a mistake or not. That is the way it is here."

The £35 million ($53.47 million) signing, the most paid for a British player, did his bit to persuade the doubters he can cut it at the highest level by scoring the goal which put the Reds into the FA Cup final at the expense of city rival Everton.

Luis Suarez's second-half strike to cancel out Nikica Jelavic's opener appeared to have sent the semi-final into extra-time before Carroll's header four minutes from the end provided the winner.

It was the first time he had scored in consecutive matches, having found the net in added time at Blackburn Rovers in midweek, since his move from Newcastle United in January 2011.

That maintained his record of finishing on the winning side every time he has scored - admittedly still only nine occasions in 51 appearances.

"I've had some criticism but I kept on going and to get the winner here is a great feeling," the 23-year-old, who missed a straightforward header early in the second half, told ESPN.

"I had a few chances and I probably should have scored earlier but I had to wait until the end.

"It's the best feeling ever. We worked hard and getting a goal at the end there was great.

"I believed in myself every day and I got my chance here. I've started two games and scored two goals, so it's great."

Manager Kenny Dalglish has stoutly defended the striker, who has yet to find anything resembling the form which made him such a threat for the Magpies, and his team-mates have also always rallied round him.

Captain Steven Gerrard insisted the criticism directed at Carroll was 'nonsense'.

"We are all happy for him. He is a good player and it just goes to show that all that is written about him is nonsense," he said.

"Andy's always in the spotlight because of how much we paid for him but I think on days like this one he shows his critics what he is all about.

"He doesn't hide and he takes criticism on the chin.

"We are pleased to have him, he has stepped up today, he has taken the criticism on the chin and he has responded very well and is the hero getting us the winner.

"That's what we bought him for, to score big goals, and he's delivered."

Gerrard also dedicated the victory to the families of the 96 fans who died in the Hillsborough disaster, the 23rd anniversary of which is on Sunday.

"We've got to dedicate this win to all of the families connected with Hillsborough," the England international, who will attend a memorial service on Sunday, told liverpoolfc.tv

"All of the players and the staff will be at Anfield tomorrow to pay our respects at the service, and it's so nice to be able to dedicate a win to those people."

The £35 million ($53.47 million) striker had endured a testing afternoon, heading one straightforward chance wide, but came up with the winner four minutes from time at Wembley.

Everton had earlier gone ahead after a first-half defensive blunder which gave Nikica Jelavic a simple chance. Luis Suarez levelled matters in the second half after another defensive howler.

It could be argued the failure of Carroll to score consistently partly contributed to the removal of director of football Damien Comolli by American owner Fenway Sports Group in a ruthless move on Thursday.

Manager Kenny Dalglish has steadfastly defended his big striker despite all the criticism.

Both the Reds boss and the 23-year-old forward will be hoping such a significant goal in Liverpool's season - hopes of UEFA Champions League qualification having been ended by a woeful run of results - will be a turning point for both of them.

Having already won the Carling Cup in February Liverpool remains on course for a cup double, which has only been achieved three times previously - and once by itself.

Past experience favoured Liverpool against Everton at Wembley in this competition, having had two FA Cup final wins against its near-neighbour in 1986 and 1989.

Of the four FA Cup semi-finals the teams had contested, Everton had been victorious in only the first in 1906 and it went on to win the competition.

But the history did not weigh heavy on the Toffees, who had the better of a relatively incident-free first half with neither goalkeeper having a proper save to make.

That statistic would have been different had Jay Spearing not snatched at a third-minute chance after Carroll had worked space to cut the ball back to the edge of the area.

With no goals in 48 previous matches of his Liverpool career Spearing was the last man the Reds would have wanted to see in a shooting position and he lived up to expectations by firing over.

Everton had two off-target free-kicks from Leighton Baines and Jelavic, who also had an overhead kick saved by Brad Jones, while Martin Skrtel shot tamely at Tim Howard after Steven Gerrard had picked out Carroll.

It may have been no real surprise the opening goal came from a mistake but the source of the error was.

Carragher, a veteran of 696 appearances, hesitated along with stand-in left-back Agger when the ball dropped in the penalty area and when the vice-captain eventually decided to deal with it he succeeded only in driving it at Tim Cahill.

The rebound fell favourably to Jelavic who coolly slotted a shot between the legs of a diving Jones to spark wild celebrations from David Moyes on the touchline.

Carroll looked like he was to have one of those afternoons which have been all-too-regular since his January 2011 move from Newcastle United with a glaring miss just two minutes into the second half.

Stewart Downing's inviting cross to the far post was headed wide from close range, prompting the striker to rightly hide his face under his shirt and his manager put his head in his hands.

Fortunately for Carroll strike partner Suarez is sharper in front of goal, especially when gifted opportunities like the one in the 62nd minute.

The otherwise-excellent Sylvain Distin badly mis-hit a backpass from wide on Everton's left and the Uruguay international raced into the area to slide a low shot with the outside of his right foot past Howard.

Carroll was at it again in the 78th minute, dragging wide left-footed from a good position but Jelavic, who at £5.5 million ($8.4 million) already looks a bargain, was much closer in drilling a shot into the side-netting.

Suarez got in the way of another Carroll effort which bounced wide before Everton substitute Seamus Coleman, booked soon after coming on, was lucky to escape a second caution when he clattered into Gerrard but Liverpool took full advantage.

Craig Bellamy, on for Downing, whipped in the 86th-minute free-kick and Carroll flicked in a header.

Liverpool could even afford for another substitute Maxi Rodriguez to hit the post from close range as it booked a third appearance at Wembley in three months and kept its season alive.

For Everton, however, its priority now will be finishing ahead of its local rival in the Premier League, something it has done only once since its inception.

Caretaker manager Di Matteo will send his side out knowing he won every time he visited the national stadium as a player and scored in each of his cup finals there.

The 41-year-old has also never been on the losing side against Spurs either as a player or coach, something he is at a loss to explain.

"I don't know why," he said.

"But, at the end of the day, you need to get on the pitch and write the history of that game.

"It's a new chapter. You look at the stats and it's nice, but that's in the past.

"We have to look to the present and the future and try to change that."

He added: "It's not about me. It's about this group of players, Chelsea Football Club.

"This group of boys have won the FA Cup many times themselves.

"They like playing at Wembley, and have done so many times with their club and the national team. It's a special place to play."

No club has enjoyed more success at the new Wembley than Chelsea, whose only loss there came in the 2008 Carling Cup final.

It has won all five of its FA Cup games there and Di Matteo admitted the trophy meant a lot to the club.

"Yes, it does, and we have a good history in it," he said.

"It's a domestic trophy, and a tradition-rich trophy, well-known all over the world, the FA Cup.

"It's prestigious to be able to win it."

Another success would surely strengthen Di Matteo's claims to be appointed Chelsea manager on a full-time basis.

Former Blues boss Glenn Hoddle, who recently declared his own desire to return to the Stamford Bridge hotseat, believes Di Matteo would shoot to the top of Roman Abramovich's shortlist if he also secured a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Hoddle said: "When Robbie was appointed caretaker, I said then that he was in pole position, and I feel now that he is most definitely in pole position for the way he has turned around the team in such a short space of time.

"The whole atmosphere of the club has changed virtually overnight with Robbie at the helm, with that win over Napoli, a defeat by Manchester City, but bouncing back so brilliantly against Benfica.

"The feeling in the dressing room and around the club, lifting the players' spirits, which in turn has lifted the spirits of the supporters and everyone within the club."

Sunday's Tottenham clash is followed by Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona, and Hoddle added: "Robbie has not been scared to rotate his squad, and I am sure he will do that again even with a cup semi-final he desperately wants to win.

"You hear managers talk about taking the next game, but here he has to have one eye on the Barcelona tie because of the late kick-off on Sunday and the next match on a Wednesday.

"The criteria for Robbie landing the job, for me would be to ensure fourth place in the league.

"You cannot rely on beating Barcelona, and you cannot rely on winning the cup.

"But if he did well against Barcelona, the team come out of it with their pride intact.

"The priority, though, for the Chelsea owner, and indeed his manager, is to be in that top four."

The Uruguayan stopped the ball on the line, earning a red card in the process, to help his side beat Ghana in the quarter-finals in South Africa in 2010.

He was quoted in The Sun as saying: "If I am obliged to stop a ball in the last minute and we win, then I will repeat the action.

"Success for Liverpool is more important to me than anything else."

Liverpool faces derby rival Everton at Wembley on Saturday night (AEST).

Despite being in England since 2007, Torres had to wait until November to play at the national stadium.

It was not a happy memory as his Spain side was beaten 1-0 by England, Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard with the winning goal.

Torres took plenty of stick at the club's training ground afterwards but knows he will be part of the celebrations this time - and one step closer to his first major trophy in English football - if Lampard leaves Wembley a winner again on Monday.

Torres told the Blues' official website, www.chelseafc.com: "Wembley has so much history. English teams have a couple of chances every season to play there and it's massive.

"All the players want to play in those games - it's my fifth season in England but this is the first time I'm going there (with a club).

"It's very exciting because we have the chance to reach the final in a London derby, so it will be very nice to be there and to play, so I'm looking forward to it."

He added of last year's international: "I'd never played against England at Wembley before that game. I'd played against them at Old Trafford, which was nice, but Wembley is so famous.

"All the Spanish supporters were excited and taking pictures - even the players were taking photos in training the night before.

"If you like football, you want to play at Wembley. I had the chance with Spain, but obviously they're not very good memories from that day as we lost, so hopefully on Sunday it will be better.

"In Spain, the domestic cup is not as important as the FA Cup is to English teams, it's more of a minor competition.

"It's nice to see in England that the tradition is still there and the FA Cup is very close to the league in terms of significance.

"All the fans are very excited, the players want to play in the final and it's nice to see the importance which is given to the competition in this country.

"If the semi-final is that big, obviously the final is even bigger.

"It will be great for the Chelsea fans and players.

"We have players here who have played at Wembley loads of times but, for some of us, it's the first time and so it will be more special for us."

The Liverpool captain has a habit of saving his most inspirational feats for football's biggest stages and an FA Cup semi-final against Everton at Wembley falls neatly into that category.

Passion. Romance. Local rivalry. And the emotion of one of the season's biggest occasions falling on the weekend of the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

The ingredients for drama are all there and Liverpool's match is being played on Saturday night (AEST) with Chelsea facing Tottenham Hotspur in the other semi on Sunday expressly to avoid Liverpool playing on 15 April, the precise date of the Hillsborough tragedy.

Liverpool owes its fans something special this season. The team has woefully underachieved in the Premier League where it lies eighth, 33 points behind leader Manchester United.

The reputation of a great club has been besmirched by the handling of the Luis Suarez saga. And while the Carling Cup already resides in the Anfield trophy cabinet the club with such a legendary European pedigree will not be participating in the UEFA Champions League for another season.

In short, it is time for Gerrard to do what he does best.

To do what he did in the 2005 Champions League final when he dragged Liverpool from almost certain defeat at 3-0 down at half-time against AC Milan to the most famous victory in its history.

To do what he did in the 2006 FA Cup final against West Ham United when his stunning strike in the dying seconds of normal time again rescued Liverpool.

So many times down the years Gerrard has been Liverpool's match-winner, not just scoring vital goals but also lifting the spirits and the performances of those around him.

It is a rare gift and Gerrard, who has struggled to emulate such feats in the national shirt, will need to be at his most inspirational against an Everton side a place above Liverpool in the league.

Everton does not possess better players than Liverpool but the suspicion is that it might have the better team.

Manager David Moyes has assembled a side with balance and unity. The Toffees have a good goalkeeper in Tim Howard, a solid defence with John Heitinga and Phil Jagielka and in Tim Cahill, Leon Osman and Marouane Fellaini players who can make good things happen.

It is the spirit of Everton, however, which is most impressive. The work rate. The camaraderie. The willingness to go that extra mile for Moyes.

In the end, however, Liverpool has the superior quality and at Wembley that usually tips the balance, although fans should be prepared for extra-time.

The ex-Wales international has fond memories of meeting its near-neighbour at the national stadium as on two occasions, in 1986 and 1989, he scored twice as the Reds lifted the trophy.

After a period of 23 years the two will come together again, albeit in a last-four clash, and Rush is relishing the prospect.

"It will be a great occasion. It is nice for these two clubs to be doing it again," he told Press Association Sport.

"I have only faced Everton at Wembley in finals. The semi-finals being there is still not quite like being in the final but they will treat it as a final - one team has to lose and it is going to be so emotional there.

"It is great for Merseyside and I am looking forward to the rivalry.

"I lived my dream by scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. I wanted to score in the final and I scored two.

"Playing-wise 1986 is without doubt my favourite but in 1989 (just weeks after the Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 96 fans) walking out all you could hear was 'Merseyside' and there was red and blue all the way around the stadium.

"I have never heard an atmosphere like it. The city came closer together because football was secondary.

"When you need help Liverpool people are there to help you. They made sure the city and Merseyside was known throughout the world for that one thing and that is what makes them special supporters."

Despite having won their first trophy in six years with a Carling Cup victory in February there is still pressure on Liverpool as a result of its poor league form which has seen Everton move ahead of them in the table.

The situation was not helped by the sacking of director of football Damien Comolli but Rush insisted the Reds' season needed to be put into perspective.

"Winning trophies, that is what it is about. Kenny Dalglish has been there one year and they've won one trophy and possibly two," added Rush, a McDonald's ambassador who is supporting the Community Football Awards.

"The league is disappointing but more frustrating because on their day they know they can beat anyone.

"Liverpool have already won the Carling Cup but if they were to win a second trophy it would be a successful season.

"They've started on the path of winning trophies now and they need to stay on it.

"Obviously they have to improve in the league next season, but one step at a time.

"If you had asked the Liverpool supporters I know at the start of the season they would have taken winning two trophies.

"They need to build on the trophy they have won and if they can do that by winning the FA Cup that will prepare them perfectly for next year because expectations will be higher."

The two sides have not faced each other at Wembley since the 1989 final, which took place less than two months after the tragedy that claimed the lives of 96 people on April 15.

Players of both teams will wear black armbands, floral tributes will be laid by Steven Gerrard and Phil Neville and there will be a period of silence prior to kick-off to commemorate the occasion.

Dalglish believes it is almost symbolic the two clubs should meet again so respects can be paid.

"It's coincidental that it's Liverpool and Everton at Wembley again because that was the final that year (1989)," said the Reds boss.

"It's going to be very emotive for everybody. The Evertonians were affected by Hillsborough as well as the Liverpool fans, with family members who never came home.

"It will be poignant and I'm sure both sets of fans will grace the minute's silence with the dignity they've shown since 1989.

"The support the Liverpool people have had from Evertonians and vice-versa has been magnificent, and they're a credit to the city with the way they've handled themselves in a dignified manner, and I'm sure that'll continue.

"Every time both clubs have met in London both sets of fans have been an absolute credit to the city and I am sure Saturday will be another occasion when they represent the city of Liverpool and their respective clubs very proudly."

While remembering the Hillsborough victims will be paramount prior to kickoff, once the whistle goes the two near-neighbours will go into fierce battle for a place in the final next month.

"The fact it is a semi-final is big enough in itself," said Dalglish.

"The reward is big enough, although the opponents could have been made easier for us if we had got someone other than our city rivals.

"It is a huge game. It will be what happens on the day, the run-up to any game is irrelevant.

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, we know how difficult it is going to be and know they will be as equally determined as we are to win."

The Sydney-born Australia midfielder has twice before found himself on the cusp of Cup glory, and is determined to address 'unfinished business' in 2012.

While Everton sits one point above rival Liverpool on the English Premier League table, and is favourite to win the derby, many challenges stand in the way of victory, including Cahill's countryman Brad Jones.

Liverpool's second-reserve goalkeeper will be guarding the net during this weekend's semi-final, filling the position vacated by Pepe Reina and Doni, both absent through suspension.

Jones, 30, from Perth - whose turbulent career includes his late withdrawal from the Socceroos' 2010 FIFA World Cup squad after his infant son was diagnosed with leukaemia - will have a point to prove between the posts.

Luca, aged five, died in November and the loss is serving to inspire his devastated father.

Summoned for duty in midweek during the Reds' EPL match against Blackburn Rovers when Doni was sent off, Jones made a penalty save before signalling skyward in memory of his son.

"Luca is with me every day. I carry him everywhere. His face is on my washbag - his toys are in my travel bag. I've got someone looking over me," Jones said after Liverpool's 3-2 win.

While Cahill has acknowledged that having two Australians in the semi-final is 'going to be massive', he will draw inspiration from his own history.

With former club Millwall, the now 32-year-old reached the FA Cup final in 2004 and, in 2009, was again part of the runner-up squad for Everton.

"To get to two finals and lose is obviously heartbreaking, but there is pride in the achievement of getting to Wembley, too. You could say it is unfinished business for me, but there are plenty of people with that," Cahill told the Liverpool Daily Post.

Ahead of the semi-final, the Australian has spoken with confidence of Everton's FA Cup chances.

"This is one of the biggest competitions in the world outside the World Cup and Champions League and this is what every kid dreams of and we're focusing on ourselves," Cahill said.

"Liverpool is a great team. They've spent a hell of a lot of money but the pressure is not on us - it's on them."

This season the Reds have attracted their fair share of bad headlines for things happening off the field, and the timing of this latest announcement appeared odd just a couple of days ahead of a Wembley derby.

But Dalglish does not believe the latest development will have any bearing on his players' approach.

"The preparation for the game will go ahead as planned," he said.

"We will just concentrate on the game and go ahead with it, that is what we are here for.

"It is a big game, the semi-final of the cup with probably a bit more added to it because it is a local derby - although it's a bit strange playing a derby at Wembley."

It seems hardly a month can go by without Liverpool creating or being involved in some upheaval.

The Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra racism saga rumbled on for three months and, even when the Uruguay international had served his eight-match ban, the row was re-ignited when he refused to shake the Frenchman's hand in the match at Old Trafford.

That ultimately led to the player and Dalglish being forced to apologise for their behaviour on the day after the manager accepted his conduct in his post-match interview was unacceptable.

Since the Carling Cup victory in February, league results have taken a dive and that led to Dalglish coming in for criticism over his public persona, tactics and signings.

The club's transfer policy was meant to undergo a significant sea-change under the guidance of Comolli, whose appointment in November 2010 as director of football strategy was intended to help ease new American owner FSG into a sport in which it was unfamiliar.

Dalglish's arrival as Roy Hodgson's replacement less than two months later changed the dynamic, and even Comolli's promotion to director of football the following March failed to alter the balance of power.

But while the Frenchman has been criticised for his role in Liverpool's recent - and so far unsuccessful - transfer policy, the Reds boss stressed he had the final word on signings.

"Everyone who has come into the club since Damien has been here was of my choice," said Dalglish.

"Once I made the choice who I wanted, Damien went away and did a fantastic job of bringing them in.

"He has been really helpful in every transfer target we've gone for.

"I had a fantastic working and personal relationship with Damien and it is disappointing but I suppose there is not much in football which comes as a surprise.

"It is sad to see anyone leave the football club and he goes with my best wishes and hopefully it is not long before we meet again.

"We wish him well with everything that he does."

When FSG took over in October 2010 much was made of its intention to employ the moneyball theory, which had been so successful at its other high-profile acquisition of the Boston Red Sox baseball franchise, to transfers.

That essentially meant finding players who were potentially under-achieving at other clubs but who could be signed relatively cheaply, made into a success and therefore have a much higher re-sale value.

However, in the three transfer windows Dalglish has overseen, the owners have forked out the best part of £125 million ($191.06 million), with a net spend of about £70 million ($106.99 million) - which seemed totally at odds with moneyball principles.

The likes of Andy Carroll (£35 million ($53.49 million)), Stewart Downing (£20 million ($30.57 million)) and Jordan Henderson (£16 million ($24.45 million)) have failed to live up to expectations, and the best deals have been for Craig Bellamy, who came in on a free but has no re-sale value because of his age, Jose Enrique (£6 million ($9.17 million)) and Luis Suarez (£22.8 million ($34.85 million)).

With the owners' pre-season ambitions of regaining a place in the top four ended by a run of woeful league results, it appears the director of football experiment has been ditched and the responsibility now lies solely with Dalglish.

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner drew a line under things when he a statement read: "The club needs to move forward and we now have a huge game on Saturday.

"It is important that everyone joins us in supporting the manager and gets behind Kenny and the team and focuses on a strong finish to the season."

Comolli, who has also worked for Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and was widely credited with playing a part in Tottenham Hotspur's recent resurgence, said: "I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to work at Liverpool and am happy to move on from the club and back to France for family reasons."

Last season Cahill was part of a Bolton team that headed to Wembley looking to reach its first FA Cup final in 53 years.

The centre-back's dreams were torn to shreds within half-an-hour, though, as Stoke put three early goals past the Trotters on the way to a 5-0 hammering.

Cahill had an off day himself that afternoon, with his weak header allowing Robert Huth to score Stoke's second, and his failed interception enabling Kenwyne Jones to slot home and effectively kill off the tie after 30 minutes.

Cahill admits the humiliating defeat still hurts, but he hopes to wipe the slate clean in this weekend's semi-final with his new team.

"That game is not a fond memory, it's something that hurt at the time and still hurts me now," the Chelsea defender told FA TV.

"But now I have a chance to put that right on Sunday.

"I have no idea why that result happened.

"People said: 'Did you freeze?' No, we didn't.

"Everything seemed to be going really well for us as a team in the league, and it was as if everyone had a bad day all at once.

"It was just a freak result. It was a freak game."

After an uncertain start under Andre Villas-Boas - he had to wait three weeks after joining the club before making his debut - Cahill has performed well recently competing with David Luiz for a place alongside John Terry at the back.

The England centre-back, 26, found the step up a challenge at first, but is now revelling in the knowledge he is part of a club that is challenging for honours, both domestically and in Europe.

After facing Spurs, Chelsea has the monumental task of trying to overcome Barcelona in its UEFA Champions League semi-final clash three days later at Stamford Bridge.

"It is a defining moment in the season," Cahill said.

"The lads are confident but obviously we realise how big the games on Sunday and Wednesday are.

"When you sign for a big club you are aware that they will challenge for trophies year in, year out and this year they are challenging for trophies again so being a part of a team that wins a trophy would be fantastic.

"It would be amazing for me to win my first trophy but there are hurdles before you can even think of that and we have a massive one on Sunday."

With one win in its last eight Premier League games, Tottenham travels to Wembley in its worst form of the season, but Cahill thinks the north London outfit will provide a stern test.

"They are a hard team to beat," Cahill said. "Harry Redknapp is a fantastic manager and he has turned them into a real force this season so it will be a tough game.

"They have a lot of players that can hurt you, like Gareth Bale.

"The wingers are always fast and their midfielders are superb as well so they have a lot of players who can hurt you on the break."

Despite the warning about Spurs' talents, Cahill admits Chelsea has its tail up after a mini-revival under interim boss Roberto Di Matteo, and is delighted with the impact the Italian has made at the club since his appointment in March.

"I think the lads have taken to him," Cahill said.

"He is a calming person but he puts points across and he says what he feels.

"He has been in and around the set up at Chelsea for a while now so he knows how everything works.

"The lads sort of knew how he worked before. He is a good guy and a good manager so it is going really well."

The two near-neighbours last met at Wembley in 1989 and, with the game coinciding with the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, there is added poignancy.

Liverpool has beaten the Toffees twice this season – and won the Carling Cup at Wembley in February – but Gerrard knows he and his players cannot allow their focus to drop.

"It's a proud day for me to lead the lads out at Wembley again and it's a proud day for the city," said the England international.

"It's a massive game and it's been a long time since Liverpool played Everton at Wembley so it's a fantastic occasion for the supporters.

"It's another important game for us players, we need to try and forget it's Everton and just focus on a really tough game on the day.

"We realise that it's important not to get ahead of ourselves.

"Although the game is at Wembley, it's still only a semi-final.

"There's still one massive hurdle to get over before we can get to the final.

"We still believe we can beat anyone, Everton included.

"What we have to do is make sure we're ready and focused and we concentrate on the game rather than the occasion."

Last month Gerrard became the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick in a Merseyside derby at Anfield since Fred Howe in 1935.

That result – and Tuesday's last-gasp win at Blackburn – will give the side a boost going in to Saturday's game.

"We've beaten Everton twice this year so that should give us belief and confidence but we need to perform to the same levels at Wembley to get the same result," Gerrard added on liverpoolfc.tv.

"We believe that we have the players in our squad capable of doing the job on the day but we all need to deliver good performances – all the players.

"To reach two major cup finals in the same season would be a fantastic achievement."

Di Matteo insisted reaching the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup semi-finals would mean little if the Blues did not claim at least one of those trophies and finish inside the Barclays Premier League top four.

That looked impossible before Andre Villas-Boas's sacking just over a month ago, with caretaker manager Di Matteo having masterminded seven wins and a draw from his nine matches at the helm.

However, the hardest tests are to come, with Chelsea the underdog to progress any further in either cup competition or close the five-point gap on fourth place in the Premier League.

"We haven't achieved anything," Di Matteo said.

"We are in a good moment but we haven't really achieved anything in that sense.

"We've got good results and this group has got together to find these good results.

"But we need more to be able to say we have actually achieved anything."

He added: "Finishing fourth and, on the way, if we can win a trophy, I think that'll be a successful season for us."

That would doubtless increase the clamour for Di Matteo to be appointed manager on a full-time basis.

But almost regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, the Italian's CV looks a whole lot more impressive than it did after he was sacked by West Bromwicg Albion last year.

"I haven't proved anything in that sense," he said.

"I think the credit goes to these players, the way they've reacted to a situation that has arrived here and they have been great in trying to rectify this."

Reports claim the Blues will lobby for the tie to be played earlier than next Sunday's scheduled start if it avoids defeat in its UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Benfica.

But it is understood the kick-off time is fixed and there are no plans to move it to give Chelsea more time to prepare for a potential semi-final first leg against Barcelona or AC Milan at Stamford Bridge the following week.

Manager Roberto Di Matteo was "angry and disappointed" after learning of the late start to the FA Cup tie, with the interim coach having previously pleaded for it to be brought forward by 48 hours to April 13.

Liverpool will feature in the other semi-final the day before because it has been given permission not to play on the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Chelsea feels a gesture should be made in its own case to help it in its quest for UEFA Champions League glory.

Reports claim the Blues will plead for the FA Cup semi-final to kick-off at least five hours earlier and will argue that the current start time runs the risk of rival fans taking advantage of all-day drinking laws ahead of what is a derby.

It is also said the side will contend that the prospect of the match finishing late if it goes to extra-time and penalties may deter families attending, with the majority of nearby schools re-opening the following day after the Easter holidays.

In addition, there are rail engineering works that day which would make getting home from Wembley more difficult for some supporters living in the south-west area of London.

It is understood the kick-off time was arrived at partly to maximise television viewing figures for the match, with the station keen to avoid a clash with the English Premier League game between Manchester United and Aston Villa, which starts two hours earlier.

The English Premier League side was notified that the Wembley semi-final has been set for April 15, with the club possibly set to face a UEFA Champions League semi-final three days later.

Chelsea had requested the match be moved to Friday, April 13, to allow them to prepare for a possible last-four meeting in the Champions League with Barcelona or AC Milan.

"We've tried to communicate with the FA and cooperate with the FA," Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said.

"It's probably disappointing; I'd say that common sense hasn't prevailed.

"We've tried to cooperate with the authorities and given them our point of view. It seems that it's not been really taken into consideration.

"I'd be happy with a Friday night kick-off, yes. That's what I'd be happy with."

The all-London semi-final could not take place on Saturday, April 14, as that date is already allocated for the other semi-final between Liverpool and Everton.

Liverpool had insisted on playing on April 14 to avoid having to play on April 15 - the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

Under the guidance of manager David Moyes, Everton secured a semi-final berth at Wembley against Liverpool with a 2-0 victory in midweek over the Black Cats.

"I have enjoyed some great experiences with this club and this is up there with the best, because of what it means to the fans, the players and the club and where we want to take it," Cahill said.

"In my career, I will be looking back to nights like this, because this changes the season. It changes everything."

The Socceroos veteran has struggled with form over the past year with a 13-month goal drought finally broken in January.

"At the start of the season, the reports were indifferent and there were a lot of people down about the football club," Cahill said.

"But we've had such a turnaround and, as I've said time and time again, the players love Everton and that's what has made a difference."

Cahillpraised the efforts of Moyes.

"Everyone can put figures on the table, but our manager has got the best record in the world when it comes to spending money and what he does for the club. As players, we have to make sure that money is well spent," he said.

"For Liverpool, who knows who the pressure is on? For us, we just concentrate on ourselves and see what happens."

For Cahill, the 14 April fixture with Liverpool will be the third time he's been bound for FA Cup success, having been on the losing side with Millwall in 2004 and with Everton three years ago.

"People say I've been unfortunate in my career, but this is the third time I've got to a FA Cup semi-final," Cahill said.

"But I said to a few of the lads in the dressing room after the Sunderland game to remember what this feels like.

"Let's not worry about tomorrow. Let's just focus on this because it's an amazing feeling."

The West London outfit has an FA Cup semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur coming up and is on course to reach the UEFA Champions League last four after beating Benfica 1-0 in its quarter-final first leg.

It is quite a turnaround in fortunes for Chelsea after replacing Andre Villas-Boas with Roberto Di Matteo less than a month ago, and Mata is confident he could now end his first season in English football with some silverware.

Asked if the Blues are good enough to win a trophy, he said: "Why not, why not?

"It will not be easy, but we are alive and are fighting for the Champions League and FA Cup.

"We will try to finish the Premier League in third or fourth position and will fight for that.

"Every player is involved to achieve our objectives in the FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League.

"We have a lot of games every week and I think it is a clever decision [to rotate the squad]."

That rotation saw Di Matteo make six alterations for the Champions League match at the Estadio da Luz.

The changes paid dividends as Chelsea will head into next week's second leg against Benfica in a comfortable position, which pleased Mata.

"It was a good result for us," the Spain international said. "It was a very, very important game, away, and a very important goal from Salomon Kalou.

"It is very important for us. The most important thing when you play away is to try and keep your clean sheet and then try and score.

"We did that but we have not finished the elimination and we have to fight at Stamford Bridge.

"It was fast, I tried to score and hit the post.

"I think we had a lot of chances to score and for us the 0-1 is a very, very good result.

"In the second half we had chances to score like mine. I hit the post, it was unlucky, but we got the goal.

"It is not over yet. Benfica for sure will come to our stadium to try to score. It's not over, we have to fight again."

Eleven days ago Bolton's game against Tottenham Hotspur in north London had to be abandoned towards the end of the first half after Muamba suddenly collapsed on the pitch.

His Bolton teammates, their opponents, and the rest of the football world were shocked by what happened to the 23-year-old, whose heart stopped beating for over an hour as paramedics fought to save his life as he was rushed to the London Chest Hospital.

The former England Under-21 international is now making a steady recovery from his ordeal, but his teammates had to face up to the anguish of returning to the scene of his collapse in midweek in their rescheduled FA Cup quarter-final tie, which ended with a 3-1 victory to Tottenham.

Reo-Coker, who has been a regular alongside Muamba in the Trotters midfield this season, admits playing the cup game was important for the club, but conceded that the horrifying events of March 17 will live long in the memory of the Lancashire club's squad.

"It might take years for some boys to get over it," Reo-Coker said.

"I'm not a psychiatrist, but I think last night's game helped them a lot, though.

"The past 10 days has felt like years to us. It's been such a long period of time.

"But from where we were on Saturday to where he is now is amazing and we have got to be happy and grateful for that."

Reo-Coker revealed that he felt an eerie tingle down his spine when he wandered over to the place where Muamba collapsed head down into the turf on that Saturday evening.

"I came on the pitch before the start of the game, I actually had to walk over to the area where the incident occurred, just to get it out of my system," he said.

"There was a tingly feeling down my spine. I really couldn't tell you how I felt when the game went on but we had a job to do and I just had to try and control myself as much as possible."

The football world has united in support of Muamba as he makes the long journey back to full health.

A minute's applause was heard before kickoff and Muamba's name was sang throughout the game, in which Spurs ran out deserved winners thanks to goals from Ryan Nelsen, Louis Saha and Gareth Bale.

Muamba's recovery has been hailed as a "miracle" by some and Reo-Coker hopes the midfielder's courage can prove to be a boost to his team as they head in to a nervy relegation battle with eight games of the Barclays Premier League season remaining.

"The fighting spirit he has shown is something that we have to take with us for the rest of the season," Reo-Coker said.

"We have a young team but I thought they handled last night well."

Muamba, 23, suffered a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter-final tie on 17 March and it took medics 78 minutes to resuscitate him.

The Bolton midfielder remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital but he has made 'encouraging progress', according to doctors.

Coyle wrote in the programme for the rescheduled tie: "On behalf of everyone at Bolton Wanderers and our supporters, I would like to offer our sincere thanks to Tottenham Hotspur - the staff, players, management and fans - for their support for Fabrice and his family at this difficult time.

"We have been truly humbled by the care and concern shown by you all for Fabrice.

"Harry (Redknapp, the Tottenham manager) has been in touch regularly to check on Fabrice's progress and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has been in regular contact with our chairman Phil Gartside.

"The family have appreciated the many messages of support from Spurs fans.

"Tottenham's club doctor Shabaaz Mughal, the medical team and paramedics in attendance at White Hart Lane last Saturday played a vital part in giving Fabrice the best possible chance after his cardiac arrest and I would like to thank them all.

"I would like to ask you to keep Fabrice and his family in your thoughts and prayers as he continues his recovery.

"He has a long road ahead of him and the messages of support have been a great source of strength and energy for everybody. Thank you all."

Dr Andrew Deaner, the heart specialist who ran from the stands to assist in Muamba's treatment and has continued to oversee his recovery, was a guest in the club's boardroom for the game.

Muamba's father Marcel and fiancee Shauna Magunda also took the opportunity to send a message to both clubs and the wider football community.

"We would like to firstly thank God for answering our prayers. Thank you to everyone for the love, prayers and support over the past few days," a joint statement read.

"In particular we owe an enormous gratitude to to the Bolton and Spurs medical teams for their quick reaction on Saturday and the fantastic team at The London Chest Hospital.

"We have been overwhelmed by all the kind messages we have received. The support we have had from the fans, not just from Bolton but football supporters around the world, has given us so much strength.

"We have been particularly touched by the support from the football community globally."

The Toffees booked a dream trip to Wembley to face their city rival with a superb 2-0 quarter-final replay victory at Sunderland despite arriving at the Stadium of Light less than an hour before kick-off because of traffic congestion.

However, Moyes was adamant the men from Anfield would be expected to emerge triumphant on 14 April after winning both Premier League clashes earlier this season.

He said: "Liverpool will be favourites. They have beaten us twice this year, haven't they?

"They have to go into the game as favourites, and we will go there and play."

Moyes was thrilled to have secured a trip to Wembley weeks after celebrating 10 years at Goodison Park to rekindle memories of its most recent successes.

He said: "I think anybody would think going to a semi-final would be an achievement, whether you have been there one year or 10 years.

"But the thing about Everton is they have got a history of being in finals, semi-finals, winning things.

"I have not been in as many as I would like to be, but I actually think there are mitigating circumstances for that in a way.

"But Everton as a football club are used to it, it's been there many times before and this isn't a strange place for them."

The visitor's achievement was all the more impressive as it did not reach the stadium until just 50 minutes before kick-off.

Moyes joked: "The Sunderland police bolstered us with the way they performed before the game. It gave us a wee edge.

"They never got us here in time - and I hear it's quite regular up here."

Everton took the lead with 24 minutes gone when Nikica Jelavic calmly converted Magaye Gueye's inviting cross to cap a confident start by his side.

Sunderland responded, but could not find a way back into the game, and its hopes were all but dashed within 11 minutes of the restart when substitute David Vaughan turned Jelavic's shot into his own net.

Stephane Sessegnon might have reduced the deficit on the hour, but was denied by the woodwork, but the visitor could really have won far more comfortably on a night when it failed to make the most of the chances they created, but were not made to pay for it.

Moyes said: "If we hadn't won tonight, there would have been something not right.

"We created a lot of chances and we actually didn't finish the game off at times."

Opposite number Martin O'Neill admitted his side was simply not at the races as its hopes of making home advantage count proved forlorn.

He said: "Everton were better than us. They deserved to win the game. We didn't perform well enough - we didn't perform at all, and that's really disappointing.

"We were ready for the night and to see the sort of atmosphere just before kick-off, the noise level, was something we should experience more often here at the Stadium of Light.

"It was a great evening, a great night for football and we disappointed.

"There was high expectation, of course, having done so well to get here, to have forced the replay, to have come back here to the Stadium of Light where, outside of Arsenal, who got a couple of late goals on us, we have done pretty well.

"But it doesn't matter whether you are home or away, you have to perform, you have to be able to pass it, you have to be able to control it, you have to be able to do those things under pressure, and we didn't do it well enough."

Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan was in inspired form and denied dominant Spurs repeatedly until Ryan Nelsen finally broke the deadlock with a 74th-minute header.

Gareth Bale added the second three minutes later to effectively settle a quarter-final tie that was rearranged after Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest in the original fixture.

Louis Saha came off the bench to wrap up the victory for Spurs after Kevin Davies had scored a late consolation for Bolton.

The FA Cup semi-finals weekend at Wembley will see Tottenham face Chelsea and Liverpool tackle Everton.

"We couldn't have played any better than we did tonight. It was so one-sided," Redknapp said.

"Their keeper was amazing tonight. I have never seen a keeper make so many saves.

"He made save after save, we hit the woodwork. We had an incredible amount of chances.

"I always felt the goal would come.

"I am looking forward to a great (semi-finals) weekend. They will be two great games, a London derby and a Merseyside derby.

"You wouldn't like to pick a winner. It is wide open."

The match was preceded by a minute of applause for Muamba, who has made 'encouraging progress' since he collapsed but remains in intensive care.

"We are not quite there yet but it has been a miracle to see the boy recover as he has," Redknapp said.

"Everybody's spirits couldn't be better, when he left here that night we all feared the worst. We keep getting good reports every day and that is just great news.

"It was an horrendous night. Those of us that were here will never forget it. Please God he makes a recovery like we hope he will."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle believes Muamba's plight has had a positive impact on the whole of football.

"It is the best game in the world and the events of the last 10 days have brought that home to everybody," Coyle said.

"That strength of unity, that togetherness has been so positive and long may that continue.

"When we used to go to games and there was old-fashioned banter that was quite humorous, we have gone away from that. Sometimes people want to get abusive.

"But for the last 10 days at the games it has been incredible and I think that has been great. It shows football in such a good light.

"It is the game we play and the game we love and when the games start we have to make sure, from a Bolton Wanderers point of view, we get enough points to stay in the Premier League.

"Fabrice continues to get better. That is what we are all after.

"We have to make sure we do ourselves justice on the football front knowing a colleague, a team mate and a dear friend is getting better.

"We came wanting to progress to the semi-finals of the cup.

"The reason we are here was because we knew Fabrice was getting better. It was difficult getting ready for the game but in a football context the lads applied themselves well and they had to because Tottenham are a terrific side.

"Our goalkeeper was outstanding but they deserved to win the game."

The Croatia international fired the visitor ahead in its quarter-final replay with 24 minutes gone, but then passed up a series of opportunities to add to his tally on a night when the men from Merseyside were more than a match for their host.

It took a 56th-minute own goal from Black Cats substitute David Vaughan to ease David Moyes' men further clear, and although the Wearside outfit battled all the way to the whistle in front of a boisterous crowd of 43,140, there was no way back.

Everton simply had too much for its host with Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman and Magaye Gueye outstanding in the middle of the field as it set up a chance to gain revenge for its derby defeat earlier this month.

The visitor only arrived at the Stadium of Light an hour before kick-off due to heavy traffic, but it showed few ill effects as it set about the task of extending its extraordinary recent dominance over the Black Cats.

It had lost none of the previous 16 meetings between the two sides in all competition before kick-off, and the chances of it doing so here looked remote throughout.

After Jelavic had gone close, Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made an eighth-minute save at his near post to deny nemesis Tim Cahill yet another goal against it.

The Belgium international was called upon twice in quick succession as the clock reached the 20th minute with Cahill forcing a fine reaction saved from Darron Gibson's left-wing cross before Jelavic tested him with another close-range header.

When the opening goal finally arrived four minutes later, it was no surprise that it did so at that end of the stadium as Sunderland was undone by Everton's pace and accuracy of passing.

Fellaini slid the ball into the run of Gueye down the left, and his firm cross was swept confidently past Mignolet by Jelavic.

Sebastian Larsson was unfortunate not to control Stephane Sessegnon's inventive 28th-minute ball over the top, and the Benin international played striker Nicklas Bendtner in seconds later only for an offside flag to make his effort, which was saved by Tim Howard in any case, irrelevant.

Leighton Baines had to clear hurriedly from Bendtner in front of his own goal four minutes later after Sylvain Distin had failed to cut out James McClean's cross, and fullback Phil Bardsley sent a long-range volley over the top two minutes later after keeper Tim Howard had punched McClean's corner clear.

Larsson curled a 35th-minute free-kick a yard wide, but Howard remained largely untroubled and as the men ahead of him continued to threaten on the break, Everton looked capable of adding to its tally.

It might have done so twice within the opening five minutes of the second half.

Osman sent a viciously-swerving right-foot volley inches wide after Craig Gardner and Michael Turner could only help on Gueye's 47th-minute corner, then Lee Cattermole had to block Gibson's side-footed effort three minutes later with Gueye the provider once again.

But it was 2-0 11 minutes after the restart when Fellaini broke free and squared for Jelavic, and although the pass took him wide, his ball back across goal was turned home by the unfortunate Vaughan.

Sessegnon hit the angle of bar and post from Larsson's deep corner on the hour, but Jelavic shot wide with only Mignolet to beat seconds later as the visitor scented blood.

Jelavic could have added to his tally with 66 minutes gone, but his snapshot was palmed away by Mignolet, and the hugely-impressive Gueye shot just over a minute later with the home rearguard again in tatters.

Sunderland, with striker Fraizer Campbell added to the mix, battled manfully for a way back into the game until referee Lee Probert finally drew proceedings to a conclusion, and although Howard won a one-on-one battle with Campbell in injury-time, it never looked like finding one and was ultimately well beaten on the night.

Bolton had weathered wave after wave of Tottenham attacks, with goalkeeper Adam Bogdan in inspired form, when Ryan Nelsen finally breached the dam with a 74th minute back-post header.

Three minutes later, Jermain Defoe teed up Gareth Bale for the second to effectively settle a quarter-final tie that was rearranged after Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest in the original fixture.

Kevin Davies came off the bench to score a late consolation goal for Bolton but Louis Saha applied the coup de grace for Spurs, beating Bogdan from 25 yards with the final kick of the game.

It was tough on Bogdan, whose heroics had kept Bolton in the game for so long. However, Tottenham's performance was dominant.

Both sets of players had warmed up in T-shirts which read 'Uniting for Fabrice' on the front and 'thank you for your support for Fabrice' on the back.

The match was preceded by a warm minute of applause and chants of 'Fabrice Muamba', which were reprised, significantly, after 41 minutes, the time he suffered a cardiac arrest in the original tie.

It took 78 minutes for medics to resuscitate Muamba and he remains in intensive care but his progress in the last nine days has been described as 'encouraging'.

The playing shirts from this game were to be signed by the players and auctioned off, with all proceeds to be split between the London Chest Hospital and three heart charities.

The match programme featured messages of thanks to the medical teams from both clubs and the global football community from Bolton manager Owen Coyle, Muamba's father Marcel and his fiancee Shauna Magunda.

Dr Andrew Deaner, the Spurs fan and heart specialist who ran from the stands to assist in Muamba's treatment and has continued to oversee his recovery, was a guest in the club's boardroom.

Mark Davies took over from Muamba in midfield and Chris Eagles replaced Martin Petrov as the only Bolton changes from the original tie, while Spurs brought in Ledley King, Emmanuel Adebayor and Jake Livermore.

Tottenham passed with pace and purpose, creating holes in the Bolton defence and it was only Bogdan's brilliance under siege that kept the match goalless for so long.

Bogdan was equal to Bale's powerful early drive before pulling off the first of two top-class double saves, to deny Livermore and Modric from close range.

Kyle Walker was causing Bolton problems down the right flank and Adebayor should have done better after being picked out by a Rafael Van der Vaart corner.

Bolton had nothing going forward and it was Bogdan who kept it in the game, producing another double save after Adebayor had been released down the left by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

Adebayor cut inside and tried a low drive but Bogdan pushed it away from goal and then closed down Bale to block the second shot.

Bale drilled into the side-netting, then Scott Parker saw a strike well saved.

Van der Vaart rattled the bar with a free-kick early in the second half and then picked out King but the Spurs captain headed just over.

Bolton briefly threatened against the run of play, with Nigel Reo-Coker breaking clear only to be tackled by Nelsen before Eagles' shot was deflected behind for a corner.

Tottenham was soon back on the attack and Bogdan continued his heroics to first deny Van der Vaart and then Adebayor when both had been put through on goal.

Defoe came on and also saw his first effort saved by Bogdan but finally, after 73 minutes, Spurs broke the deadlock.

Bogdan could not reach a corner from the right and Nelsen rose at the far post to head the ball back across goal and put Spurs ahead.

Within three minutes Bogdan was beaten again when Defoe led a Tottenham counter-attack and fed Bale, who cut inside and slid his shot under Bogdan to effectively seal the win.

Davies slid in a late consolation before Saha wrapped up the Spurs win at the end.

Nelsen ensured Spurs of a semi-final showdown with Chelsea, with his first goal since moving to White Hart Lane on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers earlier this year.

Tottenham had been frustrated by a brilliant performance from Bolton goalkeeper Adam Bogdan before Nelsen's back-post header in the 74th minute broke the deadlock.

Gareth Bale quickly added a second and Louis Saha rounded off the scoring for Spurs after Kevin Davies had notched a consolation strike.

Redknapp was full of praise for Nelsen's performance and compared his influence at the club to that of Scott Parker.

"I thought he was fantastic tonight," Redknapp said. "I just think he is a great professional and a real good player."

"I couldn't believe I got him on a free. I felt it was an amazing player to bring to the club, he is a player I have chased for years."

"I have always thought he was top class, a great pro, a great trainer, a fantastic person."

"He has got a six-month contract. At the end of the season you have got to keep him here next year because he's worth his weight in gold just to have around for other people to look at the way he works, the way he trains, the way he behaves, his attitude."

"That's what football clubs are built upon, people like him, Scott Parker, Brad Friedel. You bring them in and it changes everything."

"That has been the difference this year."

Redknapp is relishing a showdown with Chelsea, while Liverpool will tackle Everton in a Merseyside derby at Wembley on the same weekend.

"I am looking forward to a great (semi-finals) weekend. They will be two great games, a London derby and a Merseyside derby," Redknapp said.

"You wouldn't like to pick a winner. It is wide open."

Last night's match was preceded by a minute of applause for Fabrice Muamba, who has made "encouraging progress" since he collapsed in the original match but remains in intensive care.

Bolton coach Owen Coyle believes Muamba's plight has had a positive impact on the whole of football.

"It is the best game in the world and the events of the last 10 days have brought that home to everybody," Coyle said.

"That strength of unity, that togetherness has been so positive and long may that continue."

"When we used to go to games and there was old-fashioned banter that was quite humorous, we have gone away from that. Sometimes people want to get abusive."

"But for the last 10 days at the games it has been incredible and I think that has been great. It shows football in such a good light."

"It is the game we play and the game we love and when the games start we have to make sure, from a Bolton Wanderers point of view, we get enough points to stay in the Premier League."

"Fabrice continues to get better. That is what we are all after."

Liam Stacey, 21, provoked revulsion with comments made while the Bolton Wanderers star still lay on the pitch.

The 23-year-old midfielder was left fighting for his life after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie againsgt Tottenham Hotspur on March 17.

Horrified fans watched live on TV as he fell to the ground during the quarter-final clash at White Hart Lane.

Police were inundated with complaints as members of the public reported the student's comments.

Stacey, a Swansea University biology undergraduate, was quickly tracked down and arrested.

Last week he admitted inciting racial hatred when he appeared briefly at Swansea Magistrates' Court and on Tuesday he was jailed for 56 days at the same court.

The first of Stacey's messages began with "LOL (laugh out loud). **** Muamba. He's dead!!!"

A number of people took him to task for his views and he responded with a further string of offensive comments aimed at other Twitter users.

Stacey was close to tears during his appearance before magistrates last week.

Muamba's recovery since suffering a cardiac arrest 10 days ago has been described as "miraculous".

He remains in intensive care in hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

The Croatia international scored his second goal since arriving from Rangers in Sunday's (AEDT) 2-0 win at Swansea.

Jelavic has started four times in seven appearances after his £5.5m ($8.3m) transfer but has already shown he could provide Everton with some much-needed firepower up front.

However, Moyes wants his team to make life as easy as possible in front of goal for the 26-year-old, which has not always been the case for other strikers at the club.

"I think he has done quite well," said Moyes ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final replay at Sunderland.

"When he came he had a bit of a problem with his stomach and he has missed a few weeks but he has given us something slightly different and scored a couple of goals.

"If he keeps it ticking over it will be good as (left-back) Leighton Baines is our top goalscorer with four - so it is quite obvious to see where we have been short.

"It can weigh on you (not scoring) and we have had other centre-forwards here who have found it a struggle to score.

"We have to make sure they get the right service, we have to make sure we are creative enough in the final third and then they do get the chances.

"Then when they get the chances the centre-forwards have to make sure they take them.

"Denis Straqualursi came on and should have scored one or maybe two against Swansea and Steven Pienaar had chances so we have got to try to take that on and make sure we take them in the game against Sunderland."guably he is one of the best centre-halves in England.

"He was immaculate in all the things he did and that is great because he is a top player."

Tottenham held a 12-point lead over Arsenal in February but a winless run of five matches means Harry Redknapp's team now trails the Gunners by three points with eight matches of the Premier League season remaining.

Many feared Tottenham was sliding out of the race for the top four after failing to beat Arsenal, Manchester United, Everton and Stoke City, but there were big signs of encouragement for fans of the north London club when it earned a creditable 0-0 draw at Chelsea.

Tottenham just shaded the encounter at Stamford Bridge, where it has not won for 22 years, and Bale hopes that result can spur his team back on to winning ways, starting with what promises to be an emotional FA Cup quarter-final clash against Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning AEDT).

"We haven't been at our best in the last month so it was vitally important that we put in a good performance and got a positive result at Stamford Bridge," Bale told Spurs TV Online.

"Now hopefully we can get back to winning in the next game and then kick on and get that third spot.

"We need Arsenal to lose now so we can get back on level terms.

"The lads all know we have stopped the rot now. I think we have had our blip now and now we can look forward to some positive results and get back where we belong."

Tottenham will hope to get back to winning ways in the league this weekend when it welcomes Swansea City to White Hart Lane, but first it must overcome the difficult hurdle of beating Bolton in its rescheduled FA Cup quarter-final.

Nine days ago the original encounter was abandoned after 41 minutes after the on-pitch cardiac arrest of Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba.

The football world has united to get behind the 23-year-old as he continues to make a steady recovery that seemed highly improbable when he was rushed to hospital amid horrifying scenes at the north London ground.

There will be a minute's applause before the game and players from both sides will sign their shirts afterwards and auction them on ebay, with the proceeds going to the London Chest Hospital, where Muamba is being treated, and three charities.

Redknapp himself admitted Muamba's collapse had 'knocked him flat', but he also knows what is at stake on the pitch.

"It (the FA Cup) is a big thing for us, definitely," said Redknapp, who won the competition with Portsmouth in 2008.

"I'd be bitterly disappointed if we didn't make the semi-final now. It's a game we want to win.

"We want Champions League football but also I want an FA Cup final.

"I want to win the cup and qualify for the Champions League as well. That's the aim."

Redknapp said after the Chelsea game that he intends to 'freshen up' his team up for the visit of the Trotters, which means the likes of Carlo Cudicini, Ryan Nelsen, Jermain Defoe and Danny Rose could all start for Spurs.

Winger Aaron Lennon has trained all weekend as he attempts to overcome the hamstring injury which has sidelined him for the last three weeks and could also feature.

Captain Ledley King, who rested against Chelsea, could also return.

News of further improvement in Fabrice Muamba's condition has offered plenty of encouragement.

From Coyle's amusing confirmation that Muamba had been well enough to start watching the Sunday morning edition of Match of the Day, only to fall asleep with his team-mates leading 2-0 against Blackburn Rovers, to the even more uplifting bulletin from the London Chest Hospital that the 23-year-old has been out of bed and eating, Monday's updates have been totally positive.

However, it remains to be seen whether that alone will insulate Bolton's players from the mental problems that could be triggered by visiting the same ground on which Muamba suffered his cardiac arrest nine days ago, and entering the dressing room in which so many were in floods of tears as they feared the worst for their friend and colleague.

"Because Fabrice is getting better, that allows us to play the match," said Coyle.

"If it was different circumstances, it might be a different conversation.

"The great thing is that he is getting better.

"We will do our best, as we always try to do. Will it be emotional? Of course. But I can't say how it is going to be until we are physically there."

Coyle and chairman Phil Gartside will be part of a small Bolton delegation that intends to visit Muamba on Tuesday, the first Bolton representation since club doctor Jonathan Tobin revealed the midfielder's heart had stopped beating for 78 minutes before medical staff finally managed to get it started.

Such visits are crucial, according to the Bolton boss, for the morale within his squad.

"Everyone would want to be there but that would be impossible," said Coyle.

"Fabrice's recovery is paramount but the players who do go can filter back the news. That will help.

"Fabrice is not just a team-mate and a colleague. He is a dear friend to those lads. They want to know he is getting better."

To that end, the latest statement on Muamba's health provided a huge lift.

"Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care where his condition is serious but stable," read the statement.

"He continues to make encouraging progress in his recovery.

"Over the weekend, he has been able to sit out of bed for a short time, watch television and has begun to eat.

"However, he will need to continue to be closely monitored by the medical team at The London Chest for some time."

That one of those programmes should be Match of the Day proved he is aware of his situation, and the team-mates fighting on in his name.

"For all of us who were there on the Saturday, to think he could sit up and watch Match of the Day a week later is remarkable," said Coyle.

"I am led to believe he fell asleep when it was 2-0.

"I don't know if he still thinks we won 2-0 but it is so great to know that bit-by-bit he is getting better even if he still has a long way to go."

The fact a second successive FA Cup semi-final is up for grabs is almost coincidental.

Muamba was part of the team demolished 5-0 by Stoke City at Wembley last season.

However, it is the former England Under-21 captain who will be uppermost in minds if a return trip is secured rather than thoughts of erasing that debacle.

"Over the last few days he has been able to take in more of the goodwill that globally he has been getting from people and the prayers and everything else," Coyle added.

"He wanted to thank everybody for that support.

"We have to make sure we continue that but he is on his way to recovery. God willing that continues."

The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence since O'Neill threw him in at the deep end after his arrival at the Stadium of Light in December.

McClean, who joined the club in a £350,000 ($531,061) northern summer switch from Derry City, will head into Tuesday evening's (Wednesday morning AEDT) FA Cup quarter-final replay with Everton having celebrated his new improved contract with an eye-catching display in his side's 3-1 Premier League win over Queens Park Rangers.

He will do so brimming with confidence, but with opposing managers starting to draw up plans to limit his effectiveness.

O'Neill knows his rising star will have to deal with that, but has told him to continue to rely on his instinct to take on defenders and create and score goals.

The 60-year-old said: "He is playing with great instinct, but what he is having to try to do is not just that, he is having to think a little bit about the game and I think he is doing that.

"He knows, or I am sure he is becoming more aware now, of the impact he is making, and therefore obviously teams are going to pay him special attention.

"On Tuesday, Blackburn Rovers were making some sort of plans for him.

"He is learning that - he needs a little bit of help, obviously, from the likes of myself, but he is going to find this out for himself, and so far he has coped very, very well indeed.

"Never knock that, absolutely, that's what sets him apart at the moment.

"The other thing is just giving that little bit more thought now and again, but never to lose that instinct."

McClean's senior debut came as a substitute in O'Neill's first game in charge, a 2-1 league win over Blackburn Rovers on 11 December, and he has never looked back since.

However, it was predecessor Steve Bruce who signed him, and the Ulsterman takes no great credit for his emergence.

O'Neill said: "Sometimes that can happen. It's all too easy to turn around and say somebody else didn't play him.

"Sunderland bought him, he was here at the football club. He came in and everything went for him almost from the first minute, and that's a major plus.

"He's gone fearlessly into matches, and that again stands him in good stead because he hasn't held anybody in fantastic awe, and that's very encouraging as well. Overall, it's been a great time for him.

"He played very, very well in a reserve game against Manchester United and of course that helps, it helps make your mind up about someone.

"James McClean could easily have gone and played the first two or three games, failed to make any sort of impact and he could have been back playing [in the reserves] again.

"As it turns out, the character of him suggests otherwise, but it could have happened."

Skipper Lee Cattermole is available after completing his four-match ban, the result of a stormy derby draw at Newcastle United earlier this month.

Winger Sebastian Larsson, who was rested at the weekend, and fullback Phil Bardsley, who was unwell, are available, but John O'Shea joins Kieran Richardson on the sidelines with both men recovering from calf problems.

O'Neill said: "It will be a big match, a big match for both clubs.

"The incentive is great too - for Everton, the chance to play Liverpool in an all-Merseyside semi-final, and for ourselves, just to be there would be really terrific.

"We have battled all this way and we don't want to give it up without a fight."

The Black Cats produced a good performance to take the tie back to the Stadium of Light and Moyes said Martin O'Neill's side was now the favourite.

"I think the pressure does go back on them. I felt it a little bit when we played at home," said the Scot.

"We tried to do the job and win here but it was a good result for Sunderland to get us back to the Stadium of Light.

"They will see a good part of the job has been done and they have probably got themselves in the favourites position because they have been very good at home under Martin, so we know it will be a tough game."

Tantalisingly for Everton, a semi-final against near-neighbour Liverpool awaits the winner but Moyes is keen for the focus to be on the job in hand.

The Toffees have not been to Wembley since they lost the 2009 final to Chelsea, which was the closest the club has come to ending its 17-year trophy drought.

"It would be great. It is something I would really look forward to," said Moyes when asked for his thoughts on returning to the national stadium.

"I really enjoyed the last time - except for the result - but it would be terrific if we could go and do it again.

"But I am not thinking or talking that way because I would rather try to play in this game and then see where we go from there.

"It is too soon to ask me a question about getting back to Wembley at the moment."

Moyes' greater concern is fatigue for his players with the cup tie their fifth match in 17 days.

Part of the congestion was caused by the re-scheduling of the Merseyside derby after Liverpool won the Carling Cup, but the Everton boss does not believe the Premier League has helped its cause.

"It will affect the squad but you have to take the games as they come," he said of its recent run of fixtures.

"You have to get on with it but, as I've said a couple of times, I don't think it has been particularly fair on us.

"The Premier League have been hard on Everton this year, that is for sure."

When asked to expand on why he felt that, Moyes replied: "None of your business."

The cup tie has to be finished on Tuesday evening (Wednesday morning AEDT) so there is the prospect of extra-time and penalties if the two teams cannot be separated.

That may work against Everton, considering its schedule, but it is an eventuality Moyes will deal with if and when he has to.

"Even if you are thinking of going to extra-time it is difficult to plan because you never knows what happens in 90 minutes and how hard you have to work to stay in the game or how hard you have to work to take it to extra-time," he said.

"You can only take it as it comes and be ready and hope the players are fit and strong enough to get through that time because it has been a tough period for the players.

"And there is a lot of football to be played before it gets to penalties."

Moyes does, at least, expect his team to go into the game full of confidence after registering its first win in four matches at Swansea City.

"We played well in the game and got three important points in the Premier League but I don't know if it has any real bearing towards the next game," he said.

"Both clubs (Swansea and Sunderland) are in similar positions in the league so there is not a massive difference - the only difference is it is an FA Cup tie and the winner goes through."

Captain Ledley King (knee) could be recalled after missing Saturday's 0-0 draw at Chelsea but defender Michael Dawson (ankle), goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes (knee), and midfielder Tom Huddlestone (ankle) are out.

Provisional squad: Friedel, Cudicini, Assou-Ekotto, Rose, Kaboul, Gallas, Khumalo, Walker, King, Nelsen, Livermore, Sandro, Parker, Bale, Kranjcar, Lennon, Dos Santos, Modric, Defoe, Adebayor, Saha, Van der Vaart, Lancaster, Luongo.

Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is expected to make changes.

Dedryck Boyata, Ivan Klasnic and Zat Knight will be amongst those likely to return in a team that is predicted to be similar to the one that started the abandoned game nine days ago.

Fabrice Muamba remains in hospital following his cardiac arrest but father Marcel and fiancee Shauna are keen for the match to go ahead.

Provisional squad: Bogdan, Jaaskelainen, Alonso, Steinsson, Wheater, Boyata, Knight, Ream, Ricketts, Reo-Coker, Mark Davies, Pratley, Klasnic, Miyaichi, Ngog, Petrov, Vela, Eagles, Tuncay, Kevin Davies, Sordell.

The health of both Abidal and Bolton midfielder Muamba has been in the spotlight in recent days, with Abidal set to undergo a liver transplant in the coming weeks while Muamba is recovering at the London Chest Hospital following his cardiac arrest during Saturday's match at Tottenham Hotspur.

Abidal, who also had a tumour removed from his liver last season, posted a message on social networking site Facebook which read: "Fabrice Muamba - wholeheartedly with you and your family!"

Muamba's condition has improved significantly since Saturday and the hospital confirmed last night he was able to recognise his family and respond appropriately to their questions.

Forty-eight hours after he collapsed during an FA Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, where he suffered a cardiac arrest, it is the clearest indication yet that Muamba is winning his battle for life.

"Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital and is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening," a joint statement released by the London Chest Hospital and Bolton read.

"He is now able to breathe independently, without the aid of a ventilator and he is able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately. These are positive signs of progress.

"However, his condition remains serious and our medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him.

"His family and club would like to thank the media for continuing to respect their privacy at this time."

The confirmation follows claims from Curtis Codrington, who says he is a friend of Muamba and is one of only 83 people followed by the player on Twitter, that he had started speaking in French and English.

Bolton sources have told Press Association Sport that the 23-year-old has made considerable progress and the signs are looking extremely positive for the player.

However, they are cautioning against over-optimism, pointing out that it is not unknown for patients to plateau at this stage and that Muamba remains wired up and is still officially on the critical list.

Nevertheless, the latest updates are more than Bolton's anxious players, staff and supporters dared hope as medics battled for two hours to get Muamba's heart beating again after it stopped at White Hart Lane.

The player's fiancee, Shauna Muamba, wrote on Twitter: "All your prayers are working people thank u so so much. Every prayer makes him stronger. To God be the glory."

Earlier, speaking for the first time since the game, Bolton captain Kevin Davies said Muamba owed his life to the support he received almost instantly.

"There is no doubt in my mind if it wasn't down to all those people, we wouldn't even be in this situation," said Davies.

Bolton has not confirmed how long manager Owen Coyle intends to maintain his own vigil for the player, although he is expected to remain in the capital for a further two days.

That would throw into question Bolton's ability to fulfil this weekend's scheduled Premier League game with Blackburn Rovers at the Reebok Stadium.

The Lancashire derby may go a long way to determining whether Bolton will remain in the Premier League this season.

It is understood there is enough flexibility within the fixture schedule for that game to be postponed, although the rescheduled FA Cup tie with Tottenham would take precedence in any rearrangement and that would normally take place at some point next week.

However, that game is far from Coyle's mind at the moment.

"We are all after the same objective; to see that lovely young man, who has such a fantastic smile. That's what we want to see again," said the Scot.

"When you look through what he's come through in his life already, he's a natural fighter.

"Also, he's a physically fit young man so I think those two things will be a source of help and encouragement."

Muamba left his home in war-torn Congo in 1999 and was reunited with his father, who had fled five years earlier and sought asylum in Britain after becoming a target for rebels.

The 23-year-old has overcome such a difficult start in life to become an England Under-21 international, joining Arsenal as a youth team player, before moving onto Birmingham City and then Bolton for £5 million ($7.95 million) in 2008.

Though not one of the most flamboyant players, Muamba was amongst the most industrious, which just makes the shock at what has happened even more acute for Davies.

"We all love Fabrice," said Davies.

"I respect him hugely for coming from where he was to where he is now.

"He is one of the first into training and has worked extremely hard to better himself. He is always out there doing a bit extra.

"That is the reason why he has been so successful and has a massive career ahead of him."

Bolton's players had a team meeting at their Euxton training complex on Monday morning to be given the latest bulletin.

They already knew the scheduled encounter with Aston Villa this week had been postponed.

However, Davies said Bolton's next game was the last thing on his mind.

"Any of those questions are irrelevant at the minute," he said.

"Decisions will have to be made but my immediate thoughts are with Fabrice and his family.

"The club will take a stance on it in the next couple of days. But at the minute we want to just try and help Fabrice."

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien and Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor were among the players who arrived at the hospital in Bethnal Green to visit Muamba.

Essien, when asked whether Muamba had been speaking in French or English, told Sky Sports News that he had spoken in both languages.

The encouraging news that has emerged about Muamba will send a surge of energy through the Lancashire club.

Most of Muamba's team-mates had returned to training still uncertain whether the 23-year-old was going to recover, after suffering cardiac arrest during Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Tottenham Hotsupr at White Hart Lane.

"Fabrice is someone we see every day. He is part of our family, not just a colleague," said Davies.

"Nothing has been handed to him on a plate. We all know where he has come from and where he is now."

"He is such a great role model to any young player or young adult."

"He is one of the first in, at 9am, every morning. He eats the right things, he does the right things off the pitch. He trains extremely hard."

"He will stay behind and do stuff. He will be in the gym. It is not something you often see with young players."

"They want to get in, get out, drive their fancy cars and buy some Gucci clothes and stuff. That is not Fabrice."

Davies was in such shock after Saturday's events that he took minimal interest in the FA Cup semi-final draw, even though his own team was still in the competition.

"I have never been so disappointed to see Bolton in the draw for a semi-final," said Davies.

"I wasn't interested in it. That is unbelievable when I consider how much the FA Cup means to me."

"I was sat at home with the kids and I just noticed it was on. Normally we would be planning to be around the TV to see who we got. Yesterday it meant nothing."

The defender was drafted into the starting line-up as one of seven changes made by Di Matteo following the 4-1 Champions League win over Napoli in midweek.

Cahill, 26, joined the Blues in January in a £7million ($A10.4 million) deal from Bolton Wanderers where he played alongside midfielder Fabrice Muamba - who is currently critically ill in hospital.

And Di Matteo admitted he had spoken to the England international prior to the match.

"We checked with him before the game," he said.

"He was shaken like the whole football community and our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Fabrice but he managed to focus on the game and had a very good game as well."

Cahill confessed his thoughts were elsewhere during the game but that was not evident from his performance as he opened the scoring in the 12th minute before revealing a t-shirt tribute to Muamba.

Fernando Torres then took centre stage as he scored a brace and made another two goals, breaking his 151-day scoring duck in the process.

Di Matteo was happy to see Torres get the monkey off his back, but also reckons he was never worried about the misfiring Spaniard.

He said: "I think the whole team, the club and supporters are happy. He works so hard for the team and he is a great team player. "Hopefully his confidence is going to be high - I didn't mind when he wasn't scoring because as long as we win as a team that is what matters to me"

The result means Chelsea has won all four games under Di Matteo since the Italian replaced Andre Villas-Boas, but the caretaker was not happy with all aspects of his side's performance against the Foxes.

"It was a wonderful team performance which is reflected in the scoreline, we just wanted to get to the next round," he said.

"We conceded two goals today and I look at that and think we could have done a bit better there but we are scoring goals and we seem more solid as a team.

"I always believe we have quality in the team to score at least one goal so, as long as defensively we can keep it tight and solid, we will always have a chance."

The Reds booked its last-four spot at Wembley with a 2-1 win over Stoke City at Anfield and minutes later was given a draw against the winners of Everton and Sunderland, who must replay at the Stadium of Light.

"We know we play Everton or Sunderland but whoever we get is going to be a difficult game," said the Scot.

"Merseyside will be hoping Everton get through and they can all have a day out again but it is a really difficult place to go and get a result at Sunderland.

"But that is not our problem - that is theirs to sort out."

Luis Suarez opened the scoring for Liverpool with an impressive long-range strike in the 23rd minute only for former Reds striker Peter Crouch to head in an equaliser three minutes later.

Stewart Downing's second goal of the season in the 57th minute clinched victory.

"It was as difficult as I expected. They started really competitively at a high tempo for first 20 to 30 minutes and we had to match them," said Dalglish of the performance.

"I think it was a fantastic performance in many ways for us: it was not the best in terms of how we passed the ball but the way we competed and put our bodies on the line set an example for everyone.

"It shows what it meant to them to get through this tie.

"We scored two really good goals from Luis and Stewart which just got us over the line."

Dalglish is confident the Football Association will make the right decision and ensure its semi-final does not clash with the 23rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 fans died, on April 15.

Liverpool has always had special dispensation to avoid matches on that date and Press Association Sport understands the club has already contacted the FA to remind them of the significance of that date.

"We won't play on the 15th. The FA and UEFA have always been exemplary and very supportive, and that's great credit to them," said Dalglish.

"I don't think it's even worth a line in a paper that we might play on the 15th because we won't.

"We've never played on the 15th before, have we? So there you are. Why would they change now?"

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, whose side was FA Cup runners-up last year, was disappointed not to have given Liverpool more of a test.

"In the first half we started a bit sloppy and then got into the game but we are disappointed Suarez comes up with a bit of magic to give them the lead," he said.

"Luckily we got our goal and I thought we were lucky to not come in (at half-time) winning the game.

"Second half we gave them a leg up with the goal, which was a poor one to concede, but when you are playing against one of the top four or five teams in the country they punish you and that is what they did.

"But you can't fault their effort and honesty.

"Good luck to Liverpool, I hope they do well in the next round."

Mignolet saved from Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic in quick succession as time ran out in a full-blooded quarter-final clash at Goodison Park that finished 1-1.

Sunderland had led early after a superb strike from Phil Bardsley but Everton replied through Tim Cahill and had the better of the chances throughout with Royston Drenthe denied a penalty and hitting the woodwork.

Neville said: "I honestly thought it was in and when the ball came back to Jela I thought he was going to score. I thought it was going to be our day.

"It wasn't to be but we are still in the hat.

"It was a great cup tie - it was full-blooded, there were lots of fouls, lots of free-kicks, lots of action, people giving their all. I suppose that is what it is all about."

Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill was simply happy still to be in the competition.

O'Neill said: "I think we started the game brilliantly, got the goal and we were playing very well.

"The equaliser knocked us back, we lost a bit of confidence with it. There was a big surge from the home crowd.

"I thought the second half could have gone either way but they pressed us more towards the end of the game. I am delighted we are still in the hat, I probably would have taken that at the start of the game.

"I thought it was a magnificent double save, really brilliant. I think if we had been beaten there I would have been really disappointed. I wouldn't have been sure we deserved to be beaten.

"I think on reflection a draw was probably a fair result."

After its 2-1 win over Stoke City at Anfield, Liverpool was drawn to face the winner of the replay between Sunderland and Everton, who drew 1-1 at Goodison Park.

And Tottenham Hotspur will face London rival Chelsea if it can overcome Bolton Wanderers in its quarter-final clash, which was abandoned after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch late in the first half with the score 1-1.

Chelsea saw off Leicester City in its quarter-final tie at Stamford Bridge, with Fernando Torres scoring twice to end his goal drought in the 5-2 win.

Liverpool beat Everton 3-0 at Anfield last week, with Everton boss David Moyes making the controversial decision to rest a number of players ahead of the cup game with Sunderland.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish told ITV: "The people on Merseyside have two clubs they can be proud of. They [Everton] have a difficult game going to Sunderland to try and get themselves through; we are there and whoever you were going to get was going to be really difficult.

"If it's a Merseyside one fine, but it's a difficult hurdle for Everton to go to Sunderland."

The semi-final ties will be played at Wembley over the weekend of 14 and 15 April.

FA Cup semi-final draw:

Tottenham/Bolton v Chelsea

Liverpool v Everton/Sunderland

The Reds booked their place in the last four with a 2-1 win over Stoke City at Anfield and the games are scheduled to be played on the weekend of 14 and 15 April, the latter date being exactly 23 years since the death of 96 fans at the Sheffield ground.

Liverpool has always had special dispensation to avoid matches on that date and Press Association Sport understands the club has already contacted the FA to remind it of the significance of that date.

"We won't play on the 15th. The FA and UEFA have always been exemplary and very supportive, and that's great credit to them," said Dalglish, whose side could face near-neighbour Everton at Wembley if it comes through its replay at Sunderland.

"I don't think it's even worth a line in a paper that we might play on the 15th because we won't.

"We've never played on the 15th before, have we? So there you are. Why would they change now?"

Dalglish will take his side back to the national stadium less than two months after its last visit when it lifted the Carling Cup.

But it had to work hard to get there and two quality goals from Luis Suarez and Stewart Downing, either side of former Reds striker Peter Crouch's equaliser, did the job.

"It was as difficult as I expected. They started really competitively at a high tempo for first 20 to 30 minutes and we had to match them," added the Scot.

"Pepe Reina was not too busy but they are always a threat from set-pieces and throws.

"I think it was a fantastic performance in many ways for us. It was not the best in terms of how we passed the ball but the way we competed and put our bodies on the line set an example for everyone.

"It shows what it meant to them to get through this tie.

"We scored two really good goals from Luis and Stewart which just got us over the line."

Dalglish did not think having been to Wembley already this season made any difference to his team's desire to return.

"It is the same incentive for everyone to get to Wembley," he said.

"Although we have been there already this season we weren't any less hungry for it.

"We know we play Everton or Sunderland but whoever we get is going to be a difficult game.

"Merseyside will be hoping Everton get through and they can all have a day out again but it is a real difficult place to go and get a result at Sunderland.

"But that is not our problem - that is theirs to sort out."

Stoke boss Tony Pulis, whose side was FA Cup runner-up last year, was disappointed not to have given Liverpool more of a test.

"In the first half we started a bit sloppy and then got into the game but we are disappointed Suarez comes up with a bit of magic to give them the lead," he said.

"Luckily we got our goal and I thought we were unlucky to not come in (at half-time) winning the game.

"In the second half we gave them a leg up with the goal, which was a poor one to concede, but when you are playing against one of the top four or five teams in the country they punish you and that is what they did.

"But you can't fault their effort and honesty.

"Good luck to Liverpool, I hope they do well in the next round."

Torres had a hand in four of the quintet of goals the Blues scored, but his biggest and most telling contribution was a brace, having already teed-up Salomon Kalou and Raul Meireles after Gary Cahill's opener.

His first goal ended a wait of some 25 hours and 41 minutes since he last found the target, and he had always looked like ending his drought after an impressive all-round display.

"I think the whole team, the club and supporters are happy (for Torres)," said Di Matteo, who has won all four games since taking over from Andre Villas-Boas a fortnight ago.

"He works so hard for the team, he is a great team player. You get rewarded when you work hard in life and I think we are all happy that he helped us win."

And, the Italian now believes that the striker's fortunes could continue to improve.

"Hopefully his confidence is going to be high," he added.

"I didn't mind when he wasn't scoring because as long as we win as a team that is what matters to me."

Di Matteo also hopes that the run of form his side is on can help it continue to banish some of the negative headlines that have blighted it of late.

He said: "It was a wonderful team performance which is reflected in the scoreline. We just wanted to get to the next round.

"I think that every game we have won so far has given individually the players, and the team as a whole, a little more confidence and every win just confirms and cements it."

But despite the turnaround in form which has seen the Blues progress into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and reach the FA Cup semi-final, the 41-year-old refused to accept it was his influence that has made the difference.

"I wouldn't want to take any credit," he said.

"It is the boys' belief and work-rate they put in on a daily basis - I always believe we have quality in the team to score at least one goal so as long as defensively we can keep it tight and solid we will always have a chance."

Di Matteo made seven changes from the side that earned a 4-1 win over Napoli in midweek, with Cahill one of the players brought into the side.

The ex-Bolton Wanderers defender admitted his thoughts were with hospitalised former team-mate Fabrice Muamba and revealed a T-shirt after opening the scoring with a message to the 23-year-old midfielder.

Di Matteo revealed he spoke to Cahill before the game and was delighted with the England international's contribution.

He said: "We checked with him before the game.

"He was shaken like the whole football community and our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Fabrice, but he managed to focus on the game and had a very good game as well."

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson felt his side let itself down defensively against its Premier League opponent.

"We gave ourselves a mountain to climb," he said.

"Going into the game I think we always knew it would be important to make Chelsea work hard to be in front and we didn't do that.

"It was always going to be a tough ask but we always had to keep things tighter than we did. To concede from two set-plays is particularly disappointing."

Despite the defensive frailties Pearson was happy with the attacking aspect of his team, which was highlighted with its two goals scored by Jermaine Beckford and Ben Marshall.

Pearson added: "I felt we created a number of chances throughout the game and our attacking play at times was very good, but unfortunately when you play against quality players like we have today and the defensive side of your game is not spot on you're going to get punished."

A new statement, jointly released by Bolton and Barts and The London NHS Trust, confirmed there had been no change in Muamba's condition after it was earlier revealed medical staff had taken two hours to get the 23-year-old's heart working again.

"Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital," the new statement read.

"There will be no further update tonight."

With the football world united in their anxiety over the popular former England Under-21 star, old team-mate Gary Cahill led the tributes.

Cahill played with Muamba at Bolton for two-and-a-half years before leaving for Chelsea in January.

The bond between the pair remains strong and after scoring in his side's FA Cup win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge, Cahill revealed a T-shirt with the message 'Pray 4 Muamba' printed on it.

It is a message that has been repeated by so many over the past 24 hours as concern for Muamba's condition continued.

Supporters at Wolverhampton Wanderers' home game with Manchester United and Newcastle United's match with Norwich City joined in a minute's applause before kick-off, while Real Madrid's players wore T-shirts offering their support to Muamba prior to their Spanish Primera Division match with Malaga.

The first official statement of the day, a detailed explanation of what had happened to Muamba at White Hart Lane, brought good news in the sense that Muamba's heart was working again.

"Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Heart Attack Centre at The London Chest Hospital," the statement read.

"He was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening after collapsing at White Hart Lane, where he sustained a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

"Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to The London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working.

"As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anaesthetised in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours.

"His condition continues to be closely monitored by the cardiac specialists at the hospital."

As a steady stream of supporters headed to the Reebok Stadium to lay flowers and offer their support to Muamba, the former Arsenal and Birmingham City player was visited by members of his family as well as Bolton officials and players, including manager Owen Coyle, who had accompanied the midfielder to hospital along with club captain Kevin Davies.

"From our end, and on behalf of the family, we want to say a big thanks to everyone," said Coyle.

"We have been inundated by good messages, everyone praying for Fabrice which is very important.

"It has been a real source of strength for the family. We know how difficult a time it is for everyone.

"I can't really quantify it (the support). It has been incredible, not just from the football world, from everyone.

"It is great to be talented at football but it's more important to be a genuinely nice man and everyone recognises Fabrice is that.

"That has pulled everyone together. We certainly hope he comes through this. If he pulls through it would be marvellous, it really would."

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside added his own tribute, saying: "I know Fabrice's family have been overwhelmed by the huge outpouring of kindness, from people visiting the hospital to leave cards to those sending messages and emails.

"On behalf of our club, I would like to thank the Premier League, the FA and all the clubs who have been in touch to offer their support.

"This has extended worldwide with FIFA, UEFA and the global footballing family also.

"The staff at the London Chest Hospital have been nothing short of exceptional and I would like to thank them all at this on-going critical time.

"All BWFC fans who have contacted me personally or the club have been unbelievable. We aspire to be a family and all expressions of support are testimony to the reality of the family club we have at Bolton.

"I ask for everybody to keep Fabrice in their prayers and thoughts."

The Premier League has agreed to Bolton's request for Tuesday evening's (Wednesday morning AEDT) league encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park to be postponed, and Gartside added: "I would also like to offer our thanks and deep appreciation to all those at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday and Aston Villa for their understanding at this time."

No new date has been confirmed for the cancelled Villa match and it is still not clear when the abandoned FA Cup tie will be played.

Bolton's next game is scheduled to be this weekend's Premier League encounter with local rival Blackburn Rovers, although no decision will be made until later in the week about whether that match can proceed.

This is not the first time Bolton has been at the centre of such a terrible incident.

In 2004, former Senegal international Khalilou Fadiga collapsed prior to a Carling Cup tie with Tottenham at the Reebok Stadium.

Fadiga had to be fitted with a defibrillator due to an irregular heartbeat and despite initial reservations, was eventually able to resume his career, although he never reached the levels he had been at previously.

Meanwhile, referee Howard Webb, whose actions at White Hart Lane have been widely praised, withdrew from fourth official duties at Wolves' game with Manchester United on the advice of a psychologist who works for referees' body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

The England international has not had the start he would have wanted to his Liverpool career and did not score his first until the third-round victory over Oldham Athletic in January.

However, if he is saving his best for the knock-out competition, manager Kenny Dalglish will be hoping there is more to come from the 27-year-old with a second trophy of the campaign now tantalisingly within its grasp.

And the Scot will be looking for more good omens as the club had not played in the last eight of the FA Cup since the last time it won the trophy in 2006.

But having ended a 16-year wait to play at the national stadium with last month's Carling Cup triumph, Liverpool is heading back to the capital once again - albeit for a semi-final.

As is to be expected against Stoke, it was a hard-fought encounter where - for once this season - the quality of Liverpool's finishing proved the difference.

Tony Pulis' side travelled to Anfield knowing the Potters had not won there for 53 years.

And although they did at least put an end to one bad run by scoring their first goal in seven FA Cup encounters against the Merseyside outfit courtesy of Peter Crouch, they never really threatened an upset after equalising Luis Suarez's opener.

The first half was all about Liverpool trying to establish some control and Stoke working its hardest to deny it, and for 20-odd minutes the pair almost cancelled each other out.

Maxi Rodriguez, on his first start since 28 January, belied his diminutive stature to rise above the Potters' towering defence and nod over Steven Gerrard's early free-kick before Crouch, in a warning of what was to come, headed tamely at Jose Reina from Ryan Shotton's cross.

Martin Kelly and Glen Whelan were booked for late challenges on Matt Etherington and Jay Spearing, respectively, as the midfield battle warmed up.

Stoke's work-rate was causing problems to Liverpool's patient build-up play as the host was given no time to settle on the ball, but when the Reds ran at the Potters' defence it produced better results.

That was proved in the 23rd minute when Suarez picked up the ball in a deep position, advanced, bounced a pass off Rodriguez and whipped a low right-footed shot past Thomas Sorensen's left-hand just inside the post.

But within three minutes Stoke was level when Etherington's corner picked out former Reds striker Crouch to head home from five yards out, with Reina subsequently booked for claiming, correctly, it should not have been a corner in the first place and also that he was impeded by Shotton.

Andy Carroll volleyed over and Jon Walters failed to hit the target after running through the inside-right channel before he blasted the last chance of the half into the Kop from a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area.

Within a minute of the second half re-start, Gerrard had forced Sorensen into a low save while Suarez flashed a header across goal and wide of the far post from Downing's free-kick.

Downing played a more decisive part in the 57th minute when, after collecting the ball in the inside-right channel and fortuitously having it returned to him via Gerrard's backheel, he continued to the edge of the area before drilling a fierce left-footed shot past Sorensen.

The goal lifted Liverpool and Suarez's swerving low shot tested Sorensen down to his left again as the home side looked to force home the advantage.

Stoke began pushing harder for a second equaliser but found Liverpool determined not to squander another lead.

In five minutes of added time the Potters forced a couple of corners and Rory Delap long-throws, but this time there was no lapse of concentration at the back.

Wembley is on the horizon again for Dalglish's side and with it the prospect of a second piece of silverware this season.

Early goals from Gary Cahill and Salomon Kalou set the Blues on their way as Roberto Di Matteo maintained his 100 percent winning start to his tenure as Chelsea boss.

Torres added the third after 67 minutes to end a spell of 25 hours 41 minutes of football for Chelsea without scoring.

His second came five minutes from time as he flicked home a near-post header with Raul Meireles also scoring in the last minute.

Jermaine Beckford and Ben Marshall grabbed the consolation goals for Leicester, which will now go back to trying to force itself into the Championship play-off picture.

Torres has shown glimpses of his former self in recent weeks and the Spaniard was instrumental again against the Foxes with his goal coming after several decent efforts and good link-up play.

Chelsea started the better of the two sides with Torres looking lively from the outset.

It did not take long for Chelsea to take the lead as Cahill rose at the far post to head home Juan Mata's 12th-minute corner to open the scoring.

The ex-Bolton Wanderers player celebrated by revealing a shirt in support of former team-mate Fabrice Muamba.

Torres was again involved as Chelsea doubled the advantage six minutes later as he broke into the Leicester half and outpaced Paul Konchesky before sliding in Kalou, who finished calmly past Kasper Schmeichel.

Moments later Torres should have broken his duck as he was found in the centre of goal by Mata, but headed straight at Schmeichel.

The visitor struggled to keep possession for any meaningful length of time as its supporters continued to cheer them on from the packed Shed End.

The Foxes responded and Beckford fired wide before Neil Danns had their first decent effort on goal in the 33rd minute as he forced Cech into a smart save at his near post.

Chelsea sat back and allowed Leicester to keep possession in and around its penalty area but restricting it to long-range efforts.

Cahill then took the ball away from Danns' toe as he broke into the box as Chelsea eased to half-time.

Florent Malouda was introduced by Di Matteo at half-time and stung the palms of Schmeichel with a long-rang effort on 51 minutes.

Torres had another chance just before the hour mark but his left-footed effort was deflected clear as the Chelsea supporters willed him to find a goal.

The visitor then started to come forward with more purpose as David Nugent was stopped on the edge of the box before Lloyd Dyer flashed a shot just wide.

The moment the home supporters had longed for came in the 67th minute as Torres squeezed Meireles' pass into the corner to score his first goal in over 25 hours.

The Spaniard almost grabbed another but his effort two minutes later just cleared the crossbar.

That goal seemed to killed off the game as a contest but Beckford managed to force Cech into a good save with 15 minutes remaining as the Leicester players looked to give their travelling support something to remember from the afternoon.

That moment came only moments later when Beckford, who scored on his last appearance at Stamford Bridge, powered home after Danns' effort had crashed against the post.

The three-goal margin was soon restored through Torres, who scored his second of the game with a near-post header from a Meireles corner with five minutes remaining.

Leicester substitute Marshall then scored arguably the goal of the game as he bent an effort around Cech and into the corner.

Torres showed he has an unselfish side as he passed up the opportunity of a hat-trick to set up Meireles to score low under Schmeichel.

Muamba collapsed in the 41st minute of Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur, with the match abandoned after the player received treatment on the pitch from paramedics.

He was rushed to hospital and the club has now released a statement which reads: "Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the heart attack centre at London Chest hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care.

"No further information will be issued at this stage. The club has requested the media to respect his family's privacy at this time."

The England Under-21 star underwent six minutes of treatment amid worrying scenes at the north London ground.

He was wearing an oxygen mask and was then rushed to the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green in east London.

Within a second of seeing Muamba fall to the ground, Bolton manager Owen Coyle shouted 'he's just collapsed' before running on to the pitch to be alongside his player amid a sombre atmosphere at Tottenham's ground.

Both sets of fans chanted the player's name as he was being treated and Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart and Muamba's team-mate Tuncay Sanli both prayed for the former Arsenal player on the pitch. Some fans cried at the sight of seeing a player out cold on the pitch.

Muamba was carried off on a stretcher and referee Howard Webb abandoned the match moments later.

It is understood Coyle and Bolton's veteran striker Kevin Davies accompanied Muamba to the hospital. Worried fans and players took to Twitter to give their reaction to Muamba's collapse.

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte, who came through the Arsenal youth team with Muamba, posted: "I seriously hope my best friend in football is OK. Stay strong bro please please stay strong.

"God is with you remember that."

Muamba's Bolton team-mate Stuart Holden wrote: "Praying for you Fab. Hope he's OK. Thoughts with him and his family.''

Spurs striker Jermain Defoe posted: "Pray for fab god willing he will pull through #PrayForMuamba."

Muamba started his career at Arsenal and spent two years at Birmingham City before joining Bolton in 2008.

He was born in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, but has represented England from Under-16 to Under-21 level.

Spurs fan Paul Smith was at the game. He told of his horror at seeing the sad events unfold.

He said: "I, along with around 30,000 other people have witnessed a great tragedy this evening.

"Bearing in mind that the lad was given resuscitation on the pitch, we fear the worst.

"It puts everything else into perspective and the thoughts of all Spurs fans are with him and his family.

"I was in the north upper stand and the incident was in the other half of the field so I was quite a long way from everyone but everyone saw the urgency of the situation.

"He was just laying face down on the pitch."

Football Association chairman David Bernstein said: "On behalf of The FA, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family this evening.

"Fabrice has played 33 times for England Under-21s, captaining Stuart Pearce's side during this time and is a player, and more importantly, a person we care greatly for.

"We are in contact with Bolton Wanderers over Fabrice's condition and are awaiting updates."

Bolton had taken the lead during the match when Darren Pratley's header flew in off Gareth Bale's shoulder.

Tottenham equalised five minutes later when Kyle Walker powered home a Bale cross at the back post after 11 minutes.

Half-an-hour later Muamba collapsed and the game was abandoned.

He said: "The thoughts of the Premier League, its clubs and players are with Fabrice Muamba, his family and Bolton Wanderers.

"We would like to praise the players, match officials, coaching staff and medical teams of both clubs at White Hart Lane for their swift actions in attending Fabrice.

"The League would also like to commend the compassion shown by the fans of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

"We hope to hear positive news about Fabrice, who is and has been a wonderful ambassador for the English game and the League at Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers."

With 41 minutes on the clock, Muamba suddenly dropped to the floor and six paramedics ran on to the pitch moments later to treat the 23-year-old.

The paramedics tried to resuscitate the player while players and fans, many of them in tears, looked on.

A Bolton spokesman said: "Fabrice Muamba has been taken to hospital following his collapse.

"There is no further information at this time."

Bolton boss Owen Coyle shouted 'he's just collapsed' before running across to join the paramedics.

A defibrillator was used on the star, who has also played for Arsenal and Birmingham City.

Muamba, 23, was carried off on a stretcher after receiving six minutes of treatment.

He was wearing an oxygen mask and was flanked by a number of paramedics and Bolton medical staff.

Shortly after he left the pitch, referee Howard Webb took the players off the pitch and the game was abandoned.

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte, who came through the Arsenal youth team with Muamba, posted: "I seriously hope my best friend in football is OK. Stay strong bro please please stay strong.

"God is with you remember that."

Muamba's Bolton team-mate, Stuart Holden, wrote: "Praying for you Fab. Hope he's OK.

"Thoughts with him and his family."

And Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone wrote: "Thoughts with Fab and his family.

"Feel sick watching this, puts football and everything else into perspective."

The announcement that the game had been called off was greeted with a round of applause from both ends.

Muamba started his career at Arsenal and spent two years at Birmingham before joining Bolton in 2008.

He was born in Zaire but has represented England from Under-16 to Under-21 level.

Tottenham later released a statement that read: "Tottenham can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been taken to hospital following his collapse on the pitch during the match at White Hart Lane this evening.

"The match was immediately abandoned. Everyone at the club sends their best wished to Fabrice and his family."

Bolton had taken the lead during the match when Darren Pratley's header flew in off Gareth Bale's shoulder.

Tottenham equalised five minutes later when Kyle Walker powered home a Bale cross at the back post after 11 minutes.

Half-an-hour later Muamba collapsed and the game was abandoned.

And striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who missed the game with a hamstring injury, added: "My thoughts are with Fabrice Muamba's family. We all are praying for him and hope for a speedy recovery."

He said: "I, along with around 30,000 other people have witnessed a great tragedy this evening.

"Bearing in mind that the lad was given resuscitation on the pitch on the pitch, we fear the worst.

"It puts everything else in to perspective and the thoughts of all Spurs fans are with him and his family.

"I was in the north upper stand and the incident was in the other half of the field so I was quite a long way from everyone but everyone saw the urgency of the situation.

"He was just laying face down on the pitch."

The Football Association released a statement from chairman David Bernstein wishing Muamba well.

"On behalf of The FA, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family this evening," Bernstein's statement read.

"Fabrice has played 33 times for England Under-21s, captaining Stuart Pearce's side during this time and is a player, and more importantly, a person we care greatly for.

"We are in contact with Bolton Wanderers over Fabrice's condition and are awaiting updates."

Bardsley fired the Black Cats into an early lead with a superb strike but Everton had the better of the chances throughout and claimed a deserved 24th-minute equaliser through Cahill.

Royston Drenthe, who had a strong penalty appeal turned down early on, hit the woodwork for Everton while Simon Mignolet made a fine double save to deny John Heitinga and Nikica Jelavic in the closing minutes.

Because of its dreadful recent record against Everton, it was a result Sunderland, without suspended duo Lee Cattermole and Stephane Sessegnon, might have settled for beforehand.

The Black Cats have now not beaten the Merseysiders in 16 games stretching back to 2001.

The cup competition provides a fine opportunity for both clubs this season and that made for a frenetic end-to-end start, although the game slowed and became scrappy in the second period.

Sunderland had an early chance when James McClean glanced a header wide from a Seb Larsson free-kick while Everton was also into its stride quickly as Leon Osman headed over from Seamus Coleman cross.

Everton boss David Moyes was criticised for making six changes for the midweek derby loss at Liverpool but his intentions were clear as he reverted to side which beat Tottenham Hotspur last week.

His players were keen to attack and Drenthe appealed for a penalty after going down under a challenge from Craig Gardner in the eighth minute.

Replays suggested the Dutchman may have had a case but referee Andre Marriner was not interested.

Sunderland grabbed the lead in the 12th minute with a ferocious low strike from Bardsley from 30 yards.

Everton may have been expecting a cross as Jack Colback prepared to take a free-kick on the right but he played short to Bardsley and the defender fired through a crowded penalty area.

The host tried to produce a quick response but Osman and Fellaini both missed the target from distance and Heitinga had a free-kick deflected wide.

Everton got its threatened equaliser as Baines delivered a typically dangerous cross from the left.

Jelavic's misdirected his header but Cahill followed up with one of his own to beat Mignolet in trademark fashion, although it was only his second goal of the season.

Jelavic threatened another as he raced onto a long ball from deep but could only screw a shot wide under pressure from Wayne Bridge.

Sylvain Distin had a better chance after Cahill tested Mignolet with another header which the keeper could only punch off the line.

The ball fell invitingly for Distin but Sunderland escaped as the defender blasted wide from close range.

Drenthe was unlucky just before the break as he curled a free-kick against the bar from 30 yards after Coleman was fouled by Bridge.

Osman tried another shot from just outside the area but Mignolet gathered easily.

Everton continued to take the attack to the visitor in the second half with Cahill bursting forward and trying his luck from long range.

Mignolet got down but spilled the ball and it needed Bridge to clear the danger.

Sunderland's Nicklas Bendtner found the net after being played through by McClean but the flag had long been raised for offside.

Coleman cut inside two defenders on another Everton raid but fired his left-foot shot into the side-netting.

Cahill had another chance as Fellaini headed down an Osman corner but his shot on the turn lacked the power to beat Mignolet.

Jelavic won a header as Baines whipped in a free-kick but his effort flew over and the Croatian had a penalty shout turned down after heading another against John O'Shea's arm.

Jelavic suffered more frustration as he headed straight at Mignolet and then had a shot blocked.

Sunderland, perhaps thinking in terms of a replay, attempted to take the edge out of the game as time ran down but Everton finished strongly.

Mignolet produced a fine double save to prevent the Toffees snatching a winner four minutes from time.

Osman threatened to shoot but instead clipped a cross to Heitinga, whose header had Mignolet at full stretch.

Jelavic pounced on the rebound but Mignolet recovered to block as Sunderland held on.

Muamba was still in a 'critical condition' said a joint statement issued by the club and the London Chest Hospital.

"As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anaesthetised in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours," the statement added.

"His condition continues to be closely monitored by the cardiac specialists at the hospital."

The 23-year-old was rushed to hospital after harrowing scenes towards the end of the first half of an FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, when the midfielder slumped to the turf with no player near him.

The most recent statement confirmed Muamba had suffered a cardiac arrest but added his heart had "eventually" started working.

"He was admitted to the hospital yesterday (Saturday) evening after collapsing at White Hart Lane, where he sustained a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup Quarter Final against Tottenham Hotspur," the statement said.

"Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to the London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle added: "Fabrice's family have asked me to pass on their thanks for the many, many kind messages of support from not only Bolton fans but also fans from clubs across the country and abroad."

"All our thoughts and prayers are for Fabrice and his family at this time. The family would also like to thank the media for respecting their privacy at this time."

The statement concluded by saying that "no further updates are planned at this time".

Dalglish's side has been criticised during a campaign in which it looks unlikely to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds sit seventh in the English Premier League, below its sixth-placed finish last season, as inconsistency has plagued its bid to return to Europe's premier competition.

Despite that Dalglish has earned success in the cup competitions, winning the Carling Cup last month, while the club could also return to Wembley if it can overcome Stoke in its FA Cup quarter-final at Anfield.

Dalglish believes those successes prove his side is enjoying a good season and denied the league was the main measure of their fortunes.

"I think people should take an intelligence check. It's not true that you should only look at the league table," he was quoted as saying by several newspapers.

"Some people will look at that but there's a bigger picture than that."

"There are two other competitions which people say are treated with disrespect."

"Judging by league positions is also disrespectful. For us, all we have said is we want to move the club forward."

"On the pitch I think it's moved forward. We will just keep going and believe in what we are doing."

The Netherlands international, along with Fabio Aurelio, was the longest-serving player at Anfield never to have won a trophy as he arrived shortly after the Reds lifted the 2006 FA Cup.

His six-year wait for silverware was eventually ended after he scored in the final against Cardiff at Wembley as the side went on to win in a penalty shoot-out.

Now he and his team-mates are already eyeing a swift return to the national stadium ahead of Sunday's (Monday 01:00 AEDT) FA Cup quarter-final home tie against Stoke.

"It's a really famous trophy here in England, but it's also a very special trophy in Holland," said the Dutchman.

"Most of the FA Cup ties are live on the TV in Holland and I think it's the same in Europe and even around the world.

"The FA Cup is something special and it would be great to win it."

The squad has had its ups and downs this season, with the latter coming mainly in the Premier League where it has slipped 10 points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal with 10 matches remaining.

But, despite his side's difficulties both in this season and previous campaigns, Kuyt insists the players have shown they have the right character to bounce back.

"We've always had a great group," he added.

"It was something that seemed very special to me when I first arrived at the club - the group was always tight and close to each other and would see each other outside of the training ground or after the game.

"We had a great group and now it's the same. If you are clicking well together it will help you in the difficult moments."

Despite its patchy league form, Kuyt is convinced the club remains headed in the right direction.

"We've made a great spell of progress," the 31-year-old told liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's never easy when a lot of new players are coming into the club. You have to fit them into the team.

"But we have a quality group of players. Not only 11 players but a great squad.

"We beat Manchester United, we beat Arsenal, we have beaten Everton twice, but it's true that we dropped too many points in other games and that's what we're trying to change.

"The only thing that we can say to the supporters is that we work every day, really hard in training and we try to win every game possible.

"I'm sure we will be okay in the future; we have just got to keep going like this.

"Sometimes we've been a little bit unlucky. People are talking lots about us hitting the post (21 times) but that's behind us now - you have to look forward."

Szczesny has sought to step up the psychological warfare between his team and its bitter London rival in the last fortnight as the battle for UEFA Champions League qualification intensifies.

Arsenal was on the brink of slipping 13 points behind third-placed Spurs earlier this month, but it now stands just one point behind its neighbour after both teams went on contrasting runs.

The 21-year-old Pole had a dig at Tottenham after the Gunners' 3-0 win over AC Milan, claiming Redknapp's team could end up playing UEFA Europa League football next year - something he said would give him great pleasure.

He then rounded on Chelsea, who trail Spurs by four points, claiming the reason why Blues owner Roman Abramovich has sacked so many managers is because a group of senior players practically run the west London club.

His outspoken attacks may have made him a cult hero among Arsenal fans, but Redknapp is not impressed.

"Szczesny says he is coming to get Tottenham? Oh yeah, yeah, he does have a lot to say Szczesny, doesn't he?" Redknapp said.

"I'm a big fan of his, he is a fantastic goalkeeper and he could end up being one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League but he does come out with some stuff doesn't he? He was having a go at Chelsea the other day and god knows what (else)...

"He is a fantastic goalie, but he should just keep doing what he does."

The sniping between rival clubs is, of course, a key reason why the Premier League is seen as one of, if not the best, domestic competitions in the world, and Szczesny's verbal salvo is unlikely to be the last between the two clubs this season.

But Redknapp is not a big fan of players attacking other clubs through the media.

"I don't like it," he said. "There is no need for it. Just get on with it, just get on playing.

"You weren't allowed to speak to the Press when I was playing. If you got caught you got a fine of a week's wages, which was about £7."

Redknapp is not worried that Szczesny's words, or those of Theo Walcott and Thomas Vermaelen, who have recently claimed Spurs will feel threatened by Arsenal's resurgence, will have any effect on his players.

"I don't think they read the papers," Redknapp said.

The Spurs boss himself has complete confidence his team will be playing Champions League football next season despite suffering recent successive defeats to Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton.

When asked whether his team had been rattled by Arsenal's form, the 65-year-old said: "No. Not at all. They have been on a good run and I always felt they were capable of that.

"They have some good players but it has gone their way recently.

"Liverpool absolutely smashed them but they won. That's how it goes sometimes.

"Chelsea look good and we have had a couple of results that haven't gone our way but our performances have been excellent.

"If we were playing badly you would start to worry but we haven't."

Redknapp knows his chances of continuing to develop Spurs, if he decides to rebuff England's probable approach this northern summer, will depend to a large extent on whether Tottenham are in the Champions League.

The Tottenham manager has identified Lille midfielder Eden Hazard as a player he wants to sign to ensure his team's progression and is confident that he will get his man.

"He is a really good talent," Redknapp added.

"If you want to be a top four team you have to (go for players like Hazard) otherwise you can't expect to be a top team.

"If you want to compete with Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and two Manchester clubs, you have to buy top players.

"I think the club would do it if we come up with the right targets."

Redknapp turns his attention to the FA Cup on Sunday morning (AEDT), where Spurs can secure a Wembley semi-final with a win over Bolton.

The Tottenham manager lifted the trophy with Portsmouth in 2008 and would love to win the competition again.

He said: "It's a great tournament and we want to go all the way to Wembley now and win it."

The Potters' style has failed to impress the likes of Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, among others.

However, Dalglish has no problem with the way Tony Pulis sets up his side and believes it is all part of the challenge of a top-flight manager.

Dalglish has tried a number of variations in order to combat Stoke, switching tactics completely for a single game and bringing in a third central defender, as he did for the goalless draw at Anfield in January.

This season Liverpool has lost at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League but also knocked Stoke out of the Carling Cup at the same ground.

But Monday morning's (AEDT) FA Cup quarter-final encounter gives it a chance to rectify the frustrating result in front of its own fans two months ago.

"We know it's going to be difficult, we know they're going to be very well organised and we know they're going to be a threat at set-plays," he said.

"In some quarters Tony Pulis' team are criticised for the way they play but they won't get any criticism from us.

"They play the way that's best suited to them, they play within the rules and they're a credit to that football club.

"What they've done has been fantastic. They've had a fantastic season.

"They got to the final of the FA Cup last year, they qualified for the Europa League and have had a fantastic run in that before being put out by Valencia.

"They played very well and were unfortunate to get knocked out."

At stake is a place in a Wembley semi-final but with both teams having visited the national stadium in the last 10 months Dalglish does not believe Stoke will have any less incentive than his own side, who won the Carling Cup there last month.

Stoke was runner-up to Manchester City in the competition last year, having dispatched Bolton 5-0 in its last-four encounter.

"Stoke have been to Wembley too, they've tasted it before and they know what the rewards are and how much they enjoyed it, although they lost the final," Dalglish added.

"We've been to Wembley as well, we enjoyed it and we want to go back.

"But every one of the eight teams have the same incentive - to get to Wembley.

"Whether you've been before and want to go back or you've never been and have got the hunger to get there, it doesn't make any difference."

A weight of statistics appear to be on Liverpool's side as in six FA Cup meetings, which includes two replays, Stoke have never won or even scored.

The Potters have also not won at Anfield since 1959, a run of 32 matches.

And in contrast to Liverpool's league form, which has seen it struggle for goals, in its three FA Cup ties - two against lower league opposition - this season it has scored 13 times.

With UEFA Champions League qualification a distant prospect as it trails fourth-placed Arsenal by 10 points a cup double looks Liverpool's best chance of success this season.

And while that may have not been the primary target at the start of the season forward Dirk Kuyt believes the club is continuing to move forward.

"We've made a great spell of progress," the Netherlands international told liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's never easy when a lot of new players are coming into the club. You have to fit them into the team.

"But we have a quality group of players. Not only 11 players but a great squad.

"We beat United, we beat Arsenal, we have beaten Everton twice, but it's true that we dropped too many points in other games and that's what we're trying to change.

"The only thing that we can say to the supporters is that we work every day, really hard in training and we try to win every game possible.

"I'm sure we will be okay in the future; we have just got to keep going like this.

"Sometimes we've been a little bit unlucky. People are talking lots about us hitting the post (21 times) but that's behind us now - you have to look forward."

Gerrard led from the front with a hat-trick in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Everton in the 217th Merseyside derby.

The England midfielder has been the Reds' driving force for a number of years and Reina said the squad had to follow the 31-year-old's lead.

"For me it is a pleasure to play alongside him," the Spain international said. "He is a legend of this club and he is still hungry for titles.

"He is an example on and off the pitch and we have to follow that example because that is what Liverpool is all about."

Having got its Barclays Premier League campaign back on track by avoiding a fourth successive defeat, Reina said the side's full focus was now on Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final with Stoke at Anfield.

"We have been through a weak spell in recent weeks but that is this league, all the teams have been having ups and downs and we had to recover and get back on track," the 29-year-old said.

"The derby win has been a real boost for us. This team I can guarantee has plenty of character and we have another game on Sunday.

"I can say it is almost the most important game of the season. It is a cup final for us because it is an opportunity to get back to Wembley and that means a lot for us and the club.

"To take one more step closer to a title is an opportunity for us. We have to play our best and we will be all right. Playing at Anfield will be something to take advantage of."

After winning the Carling Cup at Wembley last month, the club's first trophy in six years, Gerrard is keen to make a swift return to the capital.

"It is a massive game. We have to treat it like the cup final," he said. "We need to put in a massive performance because we want to take the supporters to Wembley for a second time [this season]."

Lack of goals has been a major source of frustration for Liverpool and Stoke left Anfield in January with a goalless draw in the league encounter.

But after his hat-trick, Gerrard hopes the side has found a way to turn its dominance into something more substantial.

"You can talk about luck and things not going your way, but we have to take responsibility to put the ball in the back of the net," he added.

Third-placed Tottenham has thrown away what looked set to be a 13-point lead over Arsenal since last month's north London derby and goes into this weekend's cup tie just one point ahead of its arch-rival.

But star winger Bale believes sealing a place in a Wembley semi-final would be just the tonic to three successive league defeats.

"It's a massive game for us," Bale told www.thefa.com

"We know our league form hasn't been great of late, but the FA Cup is a different competition and, being at home, we've got a great chance to get to the semi-finals.

"We know it's not going to be an easy game. It's going to be hard work - it's a cup tie.

"We'll just go out there, give it 100 percent, play our best football and hopefully we can be in the semi-final."

Tottenham has enjoyed the luck of the draw this season, having faced Cheltenham Town, Watford and Stevenage, with Bolton its first Premier League opponent.

Bale said: "The teams we've come up against have made it difficult for us.

"We've got through on merit at the end of the day, and to play Bolton will be a difficult test, and one we're ready for.

"Any silverware is important and the FA Cup is a massive trophy in England and something we want to do well in."

Manager Harry Redknapp must decide whether to continue to rest players in cup competition, with next Wednesday evening's (Thursday morning AEDT) league game with Stoke City and the following weekend's crunch trip to Chelsea fast approaching.

Young midfielder Jake Livermore will be hoping that is the case, having started three of Tottenham's four FA Cup matches this season.

Indeed, the 22-year-old is already dreaming of Wembley, where he famously scored against Barcelona in the 2009 Wembley Cup.

"That goal feels like many moons ago!" he told Tottenham's official website, www.tottenhamhotspur.com

"It would be great to go back to Wembley, the heart of English football. Every player in the changing room wants to go there.

"There are no easy games and Bolton will be difficult.

"The FA Cup, you can never predict what will happen, but we'll be ready. It's another tough game for us.

"The FA Cup is a big part of our season and to get a result against Bolton, to get the chance to play at Wembley, is a dream. We all want to play at Wembley and we all want to win the FA Cup."

Livermore added of Tottenham's recent form: "The lads are disappointed with the results but we can take pride from the performances.

"We've worked our socks off and sometimes you get the breaks, sometimes you don't.

"Hopefully, we'll finish where we deserve to finish at the end of the season."

Meanwhile, Tottenham confirmed one of its youngsters has been in intensive care for the past three days after suffering a serious head injury.

Academy prospect Oliver Modeste, 17, was taken to hospital after an accidental fall on Sunday evening and is being closely monitored by specialists.

Spurs said in a statement on its official website, www.tottenhamhotspur.com: "Oliver's family has asked the club to convey their thanks for the many messages of support they have received.

"They have also asked that their privacy be respected at this time.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Oliver's family."

The man, aged 20 and from Aintree, Liverpool, was arrested after match officials made a complaint to Merseyside Police.

During the second half of the FA Cup third-round fixture on 6 January, Adeyemi appeared to take offence at something shouted from the Kop stand at Anfield.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who is on loan from Norwich City, alleged a fan had shouted a racially abusive comment at him as he retrieved the ball from near the crowd.

Adeyemi reported the incident to the referee. The referee notified the fourth official, who then notified the police.

The CPS said that after police interviews with the footballer and the suspect, and viewing 'enhanced' CCTV footage, there was insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charges.

In police interviews, he admitted shouting at the player, but denied it was of a racial nature.

Witness statements from others in the crowd 'tend' to support the man's version of events, the CPS said.

Jane Roden, Head of the Complex Casework Unit at CPS Merseyside, said: "I have considered a file of evidence submitted by Merseyside Police, relating to an incident which occurred when Liverpool and Oldham Athletic met in the FA Cup.

"I have viewed the extensive CCTV footage available, which has been enhanced to isolate and improve the sound.

"I have also read statements from Mr Adeyemi, the match officials and the many independent witnesses to the incident, many of whom came forward after the game to offer their evidence after hearing media reports of the incident.

"There are two important factors I have relied upon when making my decision: the enhanced CCTV footage and the high proportion of witness statements which tend to support the suspect's version of events.

"On the balance of all of the evidence, I have therefore concluded that there is insufficient evidence to bring any criminal charges in this case and I have advised Merseyside Police of my decision."

Dawson fell awkwardly on his left leg following an aerial challenge with Chris Beardsley in Spurs' 3-1 FA Cup win over Stevenage and looks set to sit out the rest of the campaign.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp said: "Michael has gone to hospital. It was his ankle and his knee. He has a pretty bad injury there.

"Looking at his injury it would be a miracle to think he is not [out for the season]."

The injury is not good news for Tottenham, who already has injury problems at the back.

Ledley King's chronic knee problems make him a doubt for every match while William Gallas has not played for two months due to a calf injury, although he was on the bench last night.

That leaves Spurs with only two fully fit centre-backs – Younes Kaboul, and 35-year-old Ryan Nelsen, who gave away a penalty to allow Stevenage to take a shock lead in the fifth-round replay at White Hart Lane.

"It is a big blow for us and for Michael," said Redknapp, who takes his team to Everton on Saturday.

"It's a big loss. He is a big professional. You want him around your team, that's for sure."

Joel Byrom's spot-kick put npower League One Stevenage on course for an upset before a brace from Jermain Defoe and an Emmanuel Adebayor spot-kick allowed Spurs to progress to a quarter-final meeting with Bolton.

Stevenage more than held its own throughout the match and would have scored three had Jon Ashton not missed a glorious chance and captain Mark Roberts not headed against the bar in the second half.

Stevenage boss Gary Smith, a former Arsenal scout, was pleased with his team's performance.

"I did dream for 20 minutes," he said. "It was a great start - more than we could have imagined.

"There is always that opportunity when you have a group of guys as spirited as we have.

"It was just a shame that we couldn't go in at half-time in front, but I thought we acquitted ourselves well."

Chelsea was today still coming to terms with the Sunday sacking of its manager, with captain Terry having broken his silence on the matter.

Player power was said to have been one of the factors in the downfall of Villas-Boas and Terry admitted Chelsea's squad needed to look in the mirror.

He told Chelsea TV: "Sad for Andre, because unfortunately it falls on his head, when I think the players would hold their hands up and say, 'Clearly, we've not been good enough and we all made mistakes together'.

"He's the man whose head's on the block and unfortunately goes."

Terry made a shock recovery from knee surgery to earn a place in the squad for Tuesday night's (Wednesday morning AEST) FA Cup fifth-round replay at Birmingham.

The defender dedicated Chelsea's 2-0 win not only to caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo and assistant Eddie Newton, but also to Villas-Boas.

He said: "We dug deep for him, for Robbie as well taking charge, Eddie coming in as well – it's nice to have familiar faces around who know the club."

Terry added: "We've done enough talking amongst ourselves over the last three or four months.

"Robbie came in and said those exact same things as well.

"He's been here, played here, the same as Eddie.

"We have to fight for the shirt and that was the message to the lads."

Terry admitted the meltdown at Chelsea drove his injury comeback as he revealed he was jogging again only two days after knee surgery.

The 31-year-old returned to the squad less than a fortnight after undergoing a procedure that was expected to sideline him until next month.

The Blues have badly missed Terry's leadership and defensive skills since he was first ruled out of action at the end of January and his early comeback is a huge boost to Chelsea's hopes of salvaging its season.

He said: "Once I had the operation, I was literally jogging about after two days, which was incredible.

"I said to the physios, the way things were here, I just wanted to push myself and be involved and try to get back as quickly as possible.

"I've done that, worked really hard in the gym, been on triple sessions going back late in the evening on my own as well – which has been tough.

"The target for myself was always to get back and hopefully be back for the Stoke game, so this is a massive boost for me."

The League One side started as a huge underdog but took just two minutes to take the lead through Joel Byrom, who converted a penalty after being upended by Ryan Nelsen.

Jermain Defoe levelled for Spurs and the Premier League side moved into the last eight thanks to Emmanuel Adebayor's penalty and another well-taken strike from the impressive Defoe.

Stevenage showed glimpses of creativity which showed why it has achieved back-to-back promotions, but the gulf in ability between the two sides ultimately showed in the second half, with Defoe notching two extra strikes to push his claims for a recall.

The win came at a cost for the host, however, as Michael Dawson was carried off on a stretcher with what looked like a serious injury, while Aaron Lennon also hobbled off.

Willed on by its 4,200 travelling fans, the visitor earned a shock early penalty when Nelsen upended Byrom with a clumsy challenge.

The winger kept his nerve to slot home to Carlo Cudicini's right and give Stevenage a surprise lead.

Tottenham's night went from bad to worse shortly after when Dawson injured himself going for a challenge with Chris Beardsley. The defender, clearly in agony, came off and Kyle Walker replaced him.

Michael Bostwick fired wide for Stevenage before Lennon sneaked inside the box at the other end after beating two defenders but his low cross could only find a Stevenage defender.

Spurs almost went 2-0 down in the 25th minute when Jon Ashton met Byrom's cross but he headed just over.

Stevenage paid the price for the miss as it conceded soon after through Defoe's first.

The England international deftly took down Gareth Bale's 60-yard pass before rifling home a sweet left-foot volley.

Danny Rose had a penalty appeal turned down and Tottenham continued to be frustrated.

Its injury woes worsened eight minutes before the break when Lennon hobbled off and was replaced by Adebayor.

Bale slipped Adebayor in in first-half injury-time - but Mark Roberts put in a crucial tackle just as the former Arsenal man was about to shoot.

Defoe thought he had scored just after the break when he turned in Younes Kaboul's cross but the assistant referee flagged for offside.

Stevenage was still holding its own and came close to a second goal when Bostwick's shot ricocheted straight into the path of Roberts - but he shot straight at Cudicini.

Once again, the minnow was immediately made to pay for its profligacy as Spurs took the lead.

Roberts brought down Bale in the box as he attempted to pull a cross back, Michael Oliver pointed to the spot and Adebayor stroked home the spot-kick before running over to Harry Redknapp to shake his hand in celebration.

Stevenage then backed off Bale to almost deadly consequences as he fired a 30-yard shot which dipped over goalkeeper Chris Day and rattled the bar.

Boro hit back, with Bostwick firing a blistering 30-yard drive which Cudicini did well to tip around a post.

Roberts met Byrom's cross from the resulting corner but the defender's header crashed off the bar and bounced to safety.

Defoe wasted a glorious chance to kill the tie as he headed weakly at Day from Bale's pinpoint cross.

The England striker did not waste his next chance, however. He raced onto Bale's long throw, turned Ashton inside out and curled a shot into the far corner past the sprawling Day.

Stevenage looked for one more goal for its raucous support, who had not stopped chanting all night.

Lawrie Wilson found Craig Reid in the box but the striker's shot cannoned into Cudicini's arms.

Bale found space with his blistering pace on the counter but Van der Vaart somehow failed to connect with the cross.

The Welshman stung Day's palms in the final minute of injury-time as both sides pushed for another goal but it did not came and Spurs marched on to set up a home quarter-final against Bolton Wanderers.

Defoe is Tottenham's top goalscorer this season with 13 in 29 appearances.

Most of those goals have come off the bench however, as he has struggled to earn a starting berth for most of the current campaign after the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor and Louis Saha.

England interim head coach Stuart Pearce hardly gave Defoe a vote of confidence last week when he ignored the 46-cap striker despite a glut of injuries up front. He even chose uncapped Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell ahead of him.

But despite this, Redknapp still thinks the man who he has coached at Portsmouth and West Ham United has what it takes to cut it on the international level.

"I am sure he could (make the squad)," said Redknapp, who is the favourite to become the next England boss.

"There is a shortage of strikers if you look at England now, it's certainly a problem position.

"Darren Bent is out for the season, so suddenly you look at that and you think he (Defoe) has every chance of going."

Defoe will have a chance to boost his slim chances of an England recall on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning AEDT) when he takes to the field for Tottenham in its FA Cup fifth-round replay against Stevenage at White Hart Lane.

His manager has called on the 29-year-old to grasp the opportunity with both hands.

"Jermain will play," Redknapp said. "I hope he makes it for the Euros but at the moment, he has to take his opportunity when he has them for Tottenham.

"He has been disappointed not to play but Louis Saha has come in and has done well.

"He (Saha) has scored goals so it has been a difficult one. I have four front men - Saha, Defoe, (Rafael) Van der Vaart and Adebayor so there are always going to be two top players left out but that's life."

Redknapp will field a strong team for the game, meaning Scott Parker and Gareth Bale are likely to start after missing the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

With Spurs now almost certainly out of the Premier League title race, the FA Cup remains the only trophy that the club can realistically win this year.

Tottenham beat Cheltenham Town and Watford to reach this stage of the competition and has a great chance of making a Wembley semi-final as the winner of the Stevenage clash will face Bolton Wanderers at home in the last eight.

"It's a great opportunity for us," said Redknapp, who won the competition with Portsmouth in 2008.

"We are at home tomorrow and have a home draw in the next round so we really want to take the opportunity that we have been given.

"I would love to get to the final and to win with Tottenham. It would be great."

League One side Stevenage held Tottenham to a 0-0 draw in the original fixture last month and Redknapp has warned his team it cannot afford to underestimate its opponent.

He said: "If our players are expecting an easy night they will come unstuck.

"Over the years we have been involved in these sort of games enough to know that the Stevenage players will find another two yards of pace tomorrow night.

"They will be up for it. It will be a tough game and we have to make sure we are ready for that and be at our best."

William Gallas could also make an appearance after missing the last two months with a calf strain.

"It's good to have him available and around again," Redknapp said.

"He has good competition there. We would like to have him playing again. He has only played a few games.

"That's been a shame because he is a good player. He has won championships with Chelsea. He has been there and done it all and when he is fit he is a fantastic player."

Di Matteo decided to leave experienced trio Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Michael Essien out of his starting line-up along with England striker Daniel Sturridge for the fifth-round replay.

But he is adamant all the players are 'on board' for the challenges they will face in the next two-and-a-half months after starting the post Andre Villa-Boas era with a victory.

Di Matteo said: "We faced a difficult task today given the events of the last couple of days and it was important for us to get through to the next round. We had to do a job today.

"Was it a brave selection choice? It was nothing to do with bravery. They were all on board. They know the targets we have to achieve.

"They are big players for this club. We have a squad and we have to utilise the squad. We have to try and get the best out of these players.

"It was a question of freshening up the team a bit, giving it some energy and fresh legs for a game like this. We had to fight today."

Di Matteo, who is in charge for the remainder of the season, admitted: "It has been a difficult time.

"It's been difficult for the whole club. When events like this happen ... we've lost a great guy (Villas-Boas).

"But you have to deal with it. Tonight we had to focus on this game and move on as a club, put it to one side and move forward."

One bonus for Di Matteo was the return on the bench of skipper John Terry just two weeks after undergoing knee surgery.

Di Matteo said: "John has done very well and is determined to help the club, and we're pleased to see him. He's available.

"We have to take him with small steps because he's done well to come back in just over two weeks. But it was good to see him."

Di Matteo side-stepped questions over whether he would be interested in taking the role on a permanent basis - if offered the chance.

He said: "Would I take it? I'm very tired tonight. I have to think about Stoke City from an hour's time onwards, and that's all I'm thinking about.

"Think whatever you want to think. I'm not thinking about anything else."

City boss Chris Hughton praised his team's efforts before being beaten by second-half goals from Juan Mata and Raul Meireles in what was its 47th game of the campaign.

He said: "We gave it a real good go but needed to stay in the game at 0-0 longer in the second half. The first goal gave them a lift and the second was real quality.

"We have really enjoyed the cup runs in the Europa League and the FA Cup. People say they may have impacted on our hopes in the league.

"But I think they have had a positive impact on us and there is no shame in going out to a Chelsea side full of quality."

After a goalles first half, caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo saw Mata break the deadlock eight minutes after the restart.

Then a superb 59th-minute strike from Raul Meireles doubled Chelsea's lead to secure a home quarter-final tie with Leicester City. It could even afford to see a Mata penalty saved by City goalkeeper Colin Doyle.

Di Matteo left Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge out of his starting line-up although skipper John Terry was a surprise substitute after his recent knee operation.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening period when Nikola Zigic posed problems for Chelsea.

But the visitor stepped up a gear after the interval and only poor finishing prevented it from adding to its tally as injury-ravaged City ran out of steam.

Chelsea was the first to threaten and Mata raced clear but opted to shoot with Salomon Kalou unmarked in the centre and Doyle turned his effort around the post.

A neat flick from Zigic found Wade Elliott in space behind the Chelsea defence but his low first time ball was in front of the run of Morgaro Gomis.

City was causing problems and Nathan Redmond got clear in the box after more good play by Zigic but David Luiz got across to intercept as he prepared to shoot.

Zigic was unhappy when caught by the boot of Luiz and he was left with blood pouring from his face and required lengthy touchline treatment.

Dangerman Zigic created another opportunity for Elliott and his shot on the turn was gathered by Petr Cech.

Zigic became the first player to be yellow carded after a late tackle on Gary Cahill.

Cech produced a superb save to keep his side on level terms after 39 minutes.

Zigic's glancing header from a Jordon Mutch cross had Cech back-pedalling and he finger-tipped his effort over the bar at full stretch.

Mata was Chelsea's most potent player but he shot straight at Doyle from the edge of the box.

Fernando Torres had his first opportunity on the stroke of half-time after a quick turn but he dragged his shot across the face of goal.

Chelsea enjoyed a spell of possession at the start of the second period and Pablo Ibanez produced a superb tackle to deny Mata inside the box after he played a one-two with Kalou.

But after 53 minutes Mata broke the deadlock for Chelsea.

Ramires made good ground down the right before sending in a cross which was challenged for by Kalou.

The ball broke invitingly for Mata who poked it past Doyle into the corner of the net.

Mata missed another great chance two minutes later when he headed wide at the far post from a deep centre by Branislav Ivanovic.

A superb strike from Meireles doubled Chelsea's lead after 59 minutes.

Ramires teed up the midfielder and his 25-yard strike flew past Doyle into the top corner of the net.

Torres was yellow carded for chopping down Jonathan Spector.

The Spaniard won his side a 67th-minute penalty after he was brought down by Guirane N'Daw who was yellow carded.

But Doyle repeated his penalty save from Mata of the first tie at Stamford Bridge.

Sturridge should have made it 3-0 but mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy from Torres' centre.

Mutch had a great opportunity to reduce the arrears from Chris Burke's pass but lofted his shot over the bar.