Ghana’s Michael Essien lasted for an hour at Wembley as Chelsea came from an early goal down to lift the FA Cup in a 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday.

Essien was replaced by Michael Ballack after struggling to keep his head afloat in a see-sawing contest.

The match was less than half a minute old when Louis Saha found the net for the Merseysiders.

It was 13 minutes before Chelsea registered a shot, Drogba’s persistence partially paying off as he laid back to Essien, but the Ghanaian’s left-footed shot was always too high to trouble goalkeeper Tim Howard.

On the 72nd minute, Lampard collected a lay-off from Anelka, assisted by a slight slip as he checked inside Phil Neville – allowing him a couple of extra seconds to get a sight of Everton’s goal and he duly drilled home from 20 yards.

Celebrations for fans and players will go on long into the night as a long and difficult season ends with a sweet victory, and a fifth Final success from nine attempts.

Essien is expected back home to join the Black Stars prepare for next month’s 2010 combined qualifier against Mali in Bamako.

Source: ghanasoccernet – Ghana Soccernet