After the disappointment of losing the first leg to a late own goal, Everton came into this game with a bit of confidence. After two consecutive league wins Everton had risen to fourth in the EPL.

The team also welcomed back Manuel Fernandes for this game. The Portuguese midfielder had looked set to join Everton after impressing while on loan last season. But a last minute change-of-heart saw him move to Valencia.

Things didn’t fare well for Fernandes in Spain and when the January transfer window opened he took the opportunity to return to Everton on loan. Hopefully this time Everton will permanently sign up the talented midfielder.

Leon Osman also returned to the squad. Having recovered from injury in time for the last game at Wigan, it was good to see Osman playing again. It’s no coincidence Everton has had a hard time of it since he has been out of action. His quick feet and constant running always provide an essential link between defence and attack.

It’s safe to say the Chelsea squad was looking a little thin. Without John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Essian, Andriy Shevchenko, Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi or Michael Ballack; it was a chance for some of the fringe players to stake a claim.

But Chelsea manager, Avram Grant, could still call on Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Philips, and Nicolas Anelka, the new £15 million-pound man. Each of these players could start for nearly any EPL team; together they make a talented and exciting attacking line.

Under the floodlights at a boisterous Goodison Park, the game was set to start. The prize for the winners, a trip to Wembley to face Tottenham Hotspur, who had emphatically dispatched Arsenal 5-1 in the other semi-final the night before.

The game began at a frantic pace with two early Chelsea shots landing off target, while Everton had a Joleon Lescott header saved on the line as each team looked for an early advantage.

As the game settled down it became obvious Chelsea was going to sit back and try to absorb the Everton attack. Time and time-again Everton concentrated its play down the wings but couldn’t deliver a ball into the area. For all his flicks and tricks Mikel Arteta couldn’t get past Chelsea's stern defense. Out of frustration Andrew Johnson resorted to a long-range shot that never troubled Petr Cech.

For as deep as Chelsea was playing, Everton’s back line was very high up the pitch. In a show of good organization, the Everton back four constantly caught Anelka off-side. This tactic also allowed Fernandes enough time to dominate the midfield, but still Everton came up scoreless.

As the half came to an end both teams attempted shots from distance but never managed to hit the target.

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