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They say it only takes one second to score a goal. In truth, it does. The time the ball is struck by a player to the time it hits the back of the net is nearly miniscule. It’s not true for every footballer of course, some may see it as an eternity before the ball is tucked away in the net. Some may only score one goal a season. Sometimes, however, it only takes one goal to go down in folklore.

The sun shone bright on Wembley Stadium as the whole of Merseyside enjoyed a day on the town for the FA Cup semi-final. Two derbies lined up in the semi’s would see the Reds take on the Blues, and Chelsea take on Spurs. Everton, who have been in fine form as of late, would fancy themselves winners on the day, but Liverpool would be brimming with confidence as well, coming off the back of a 3-2 win over Blackburn Rovers, courtesy of an Andy Carroll header. That story would travel a similar line at Wembley.

Following a minutes silence held for the 96 fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough in April 15th, 1989, the stadium roared to life and got the match underway.

Both Kopites and Evertonians made sure their voice was heard, and both Liverpool and Everton looked determined to shine.

Kenny Dalglish named a strong line-up for Liverpool barring the suspended Pepe Reina and named Jamie Carragher ahead of Jose Enrique. David Moyes named his strongest side for the match after seeing his gamble last time around end in a 3-0 demolition job at Anfield.

The Reds looked lively during the opening stages of the game, going close on a number of occasions only for the score to remain 0-0. Liverpool’s world would be flipped upside down however, when Nikica Jelavic slotted past Brad Jones to send the blue half of Wembley into sheer delight.

Jamie Carragher, who has seen his spot taken this season by the solid partnership of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, was left on the ground following a mis-communication between himself and Agger. Carragher’s flapped clearance deflected off Tim Cahill and fell to Jelavic who showed clinical finishing. All camera’s flashed to Moyes and Bill Kenwright, who bought the striker from the imploding Glasgow Rangers in January. With Everton leading 1-0 at half, things looked to be turning blue, but the Liverpool of old would begin to show coming out of the locker room, and the second half proved to be some of the most exciting of the Cup.

One of Liverpool’s hottest assets, Luis Suarez, has been the subject of much controversy this season, but no one can doubt it footballing ability. On the pitch he is one of the most exciting the Premier League has seen, and the second half was more or less “The Luis Suarez Show.”

The show would meet it’s pinnacle for the Uruguayan hotshot on the 62 minute, when Suarez picked off Sylvain Distin’s back pass. Suarez would find himself one on one with keeper Tim Howard before Johnny Heitinga closed in. For Heitinga, however, his challenge would be unsuccessful, for Suarez had already slotted past Howard to send a red reverbaration through Wembley Stadium. With the score at 1-1, a sense of deja vu would kick in, with the Reds last trip to Wembley heading to extra-time following Liverpool’s equalizer.

The introduction of Maxi Rodriguez and Craig Bellamy added a sense of fire to Liverpool’s attack. With the the Reds best attacking threat’s on the pitch, the Wembley Kop roared with delight, almost knowing that exciting times lay ahead. Minutes from time, the most exciting moment of the game fell to one £35 million man.

Andy Carroll, who was the man Liverpool expected big goals from, was having another head in hands day following several missed chances. None were as close, though, as his point blank sitter which fell wide of the post, much to Evertonian delight. Inside 87 minutes, Carroll would not make the same mistake. Craig Bellamy’s curling free-kick found a £35 million pinpoint that, seconds later, found itself in the back of the net. Carroll rose high between Jelavic and Marouane Fellaini to head home for Liverpool, sending the Reds into ecstacy, and back to Wembley for their second Cup final this season.

Sometimes in football it only takes a second to score a goal. That goal can be a consolation or a match-winner, Carroll’s goal on Saturday is his biggest to date. The striker claimed after the match that it was a great feeling and that he’s believed in himself every day. That belief is starting to pay dividends for Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool, and may just carry the Reds on to another winners medal May 5th. The 2-1 win was one for Andy Carroll, one for Kenny Dalglish, one for the 96. Liverpool’s league form will come under heavy scrutiny this summer, but their cup runs have reinstated one major part of history that has been missing for quite some time; Anfield South.

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