Essien wins second FA Cup

Ghana's Michael Essien

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.

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