It was an intriguing final, with a goal in the first minute, a side winning from behind, and a goal that never was… but still the neutrals moaned. ‘Chelsea v Everton, no-one cares’ (apart from their fans, obviously). But who do passive spectators want in the final? It seems, every year, that everyone bar the contesting teams’ fans complain that it’s boring. Who do you want to see?!

Here’s a look at recent match ups, why people moaned, and what makes the perfect final…

2008-2009    Chelsea     2–1     Everton
Neither side has big support, there was no possible upset, it was never going to be a classic…

2007-2008    Portsmouth     1–0     Cardiff City
You would think the minnows would catch the imagination; but most saw it as an anticlimax.

2006-2007    Chelsea      1–0     Manchester United
Two of the big four, yawn… and a dull game

2005-2006    Liverpool      3–3     West Ham United
The greatest final of recent times, as a Gerrard inspired Liverpool overcame the Hammers on penalties.

2004-2005    Arsenal      0–0     Manchester United
Two of the big four, yawn… and a dull game that Arsenal never deserved to win.

2003-2004    Manchester United     3–0     Millwall
A complete non-contest from start to finish. Millwall never thought they could win it.

2002-2003    Arsenal     1–0     Southampton
A complete non-contest from start to finish. Southampton never though they could win it.

2001–2002    Arsenal     2–0     Chelsea
Two of the big four, yawn… and Arsenal won easily

2000–2001    Liverpool     2–1     Arsenal
Michael Owen inspired Liverpool to win from behind – two of the big four, but actually entertaining.

1999–2000     Chelsea     1–0     Aston Villa
Always a hollow victory as Man Utd didn’t compete in the competition

Conclusions:

• You can’t have two of the Big Four, else it’s boring as they win everything (06/07, 04/05, 01/02)
• But you can’t have two minnows either, otherwise it’s an anticlimax (07/08)
• It can’t be a mis-match or non-contest (03/04, 02/03)
• It can’t just be Chelsea (of the Big Four) as they don’t have enough support (08/09)

So what can it be? The best final of recent times was 2005/6, a thrilling 3-3 between Liverpool and West Ham. That was one of the Big Four (but not Chelsea), and not (ultimately) a mis-match. The only other genuinely entertaining game was back in 2000/1, when the Big Four hegemony was only just beginning and Liverpool came from behind to beat Arsenal.

So it looks like what we need is one of the Big Four (ideally Liverpool, but not Chelsea), against a team that are underdogs but perform well on the day to make it exciting. Bring on Liverpool – Man City in 2010… but doubtless people will still find an excuse to moan!