FA Cup semi finals

[Leyton388]

Phil Jagielka is determined to prove Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wrong by lifting the FA Cup.

Benitez referred to Everton as 'a small club' after a frustrating goalless draw in 2007 and the Toffees have been out to prove him wrong ever since.

Everton booked themselves into the FA Cup final with a penalty shoot-out victory over Manchester United after a goalless 120 minutes and will now face Chelsea on May 30th.

"A lot of people think we are in the shadows of Liverpool all the time. If you look at what they have done, they have been more successful," said the former Sheffield United defender.

"But when Benitez said we are a small club, it is a bit embarrassing. We have proved we're not by getting to the final."

Sunday's victory over United has put them one step away from their first major trophy since Paul Rideout's 1995 FA Cup winner and Jagielka will be aiming to emulate that team by lifting the trophy.

"If we can win the FA Cup, it will put us on the map again and then hopefully we can go from strength to strength."

Jagielka has been a huge success at Goodison Park since moving in 2007 for £4million and he is targeting a strong finish to the season on both domestic fronts.

"We want to finish well in the league, and fifth place is still up for grabs.

"It is about time the squad we have here comes of age and starts to win trophies. Playing in the final is the right way to go about it."

On a personal note, Jagielka has been pleased with his progress since his move.

"The last 18 months have been phenomenal for me, with getting in the team more regularly and winning my first England cap.

"I have been playing quite well and getting in the Everton side most weeks, so it has been a dream move on my behalf.

"It will make it even more special if we can win some silverware."

What the **** is wrong with this club? Why cant they just enjoy their win and place in the final rather than going on about us? I was made up yesterday when they went through and hoped they would win it. But i hope chelsea ****ing hammer the bitter ****s now.

Even in glory they are still bitter.

Oh yeah Phil big clubs dont just play in finals they WIN them!

[Craig_H]

"But when Benitez said we are a small club, it is a bit embarrassing. We have proved we're not by getting to the final."

Two things. First, he didnt call you a small club. He called you a SMALLER club. And he was stating a fact. Live with it.

Secondly, getting to the cup final doesnt make you a big club. Unless Cardiff and Portsmouth are now big clubs? And Millwall a few years ago too? Massive club

What the **** is wrong with this club? Why cant they just enjoy their win and place in the final rather than going on about us? I was made up yesterday when they went through and hoped they would win it. But i hope chelsea ****ing hammer the bitter ****s now.

Even in glory they are still bitter.

Maybe Scratch will be back in a minute singing their praises again.

[Assassin]

"But when Benitez said we are a small club, it is a bit embarrassing. We have proved we're not by getting to the final."

Jagielka obviously close to be last in the queue when they handed out brains. Small clubs reach cup finals on a regular basis

[Shaggy]

Can't believe they're still bleating about this. As Craig said, Rafa never ****ing said they are a small club FFS. AND it was 3 ****ing years ago.

[Ben_Itez]

Moyes obviously used it in his teamtalk

3 years ago and Rafa never actually called them a small club. I'm glad they beat Utd but if they somehow fluke a win over Chelsea we'll never hear the end of it.

Still it'd be sweet if we won the league to trump their achievement yet again like we did in 2005!

[Scratch]

Maybe Scratch will be back in a minute singing their praises again.

COME ON EVERTON...i ain't so small minded and petty that i can't cheer you on. Unlike some, it would seem.

[Craig_H]

That's it mate, someone slags you off 24/7 - but you bend over and proudly take it. And then cheer them on too.

Great stuff.

[Scratch]

That's it mate, someone slags you off 24/7 - but you bend over and proudly take it. And then cheer them on too.

Great stuff.

Probalby cos i know i'm better than them, and don't need to stoop to their level to make myself feel better, but you carry on playing it your way. Mate.

[Reece]

Give the pissing contest a rest now eh lads?

[Scratch]

Yes boss.

On another note, the City lads in the office are taking the piss out of the united fans by doing the birdy dance, in tribute to Ferguson...any chance that could take off (no pun intended) in the stands when teams play United, with the fans mocking the Scot by doing the birdie dance...starting when City visit United. Could be a good laugh, thousands of fans singing the birdie song and flapping their arms around like loons....Ferguson would be apopleptic.

[Craig_H]

Probalby cos i know i'm better than them, and don't need to stoop to their level to make myself feel better, but you carry on playing it your way. Mate.

No need to stoop, no. Just bend over for them. Good man.

[Scratch]

No need to stoop, no. Just bend over for them. Good man.

Nope, applaud their teams efforts, pity some of their fans (but then, it looks like i have to pity some of ours, cos they're no better if you're anything to go by) and relax, knowing that for all their word games, they will forever be in our shadow....that in itself is enough for me. I'll leave it to others like yourself to carry on the war of words, it keeps you occupied and happy.

[Craig_H]

I think you're a little confused here. I am perfectly capable of giving credit to teams when they deserve it. I just dont WANT them to win the FA Cup, that's all really. Not giving them credit and not liking them are totally different things.

You like being all chummy with one of our fiercest rivals. You like having them slag you off and call you a murderer, but you're still chummy with them. That's fine.

I dont really respect people who go around calling us murderers, but if you're happy with it and want to put an arm around them, that's your business.

[wiw]

I think it's called trying to take the moral high ground Can't see Everton fans changing but we may soften them up over time, who knows eh? I'm not going to stoop to their level though

[Scratch]

I think you're a little confused here. I am perfectly capable of giving credit to teams when they deserve it. I just dont WANT them to win the FA Cup, that's all really. Not giving them credit and not liking them are totally different things.

You like being all chummy with one of our fiercest rivals. You like having them slag you off and call you a murderer, but you're still chummy with them. That's fine.

I dont really respect people who go around calling us murderers, but if you're happy with it and want to put an arm around them, that's your business.

I think that the whole argument with Everton has gone on long enough. The City used to pride itself on having a "Friendly" derby day, with fans that were the envy of every other club. I would love that day to return, and the only way it is going to happen is if both sets of fans grow up. It only takes one rock to start an avalanche and all that, so if that rock is a bunch of Everton fans and a JFT 96 flag, and a bunch of mature, sensible reds, then great.

Course, we could just carry on being bitter and vindictive towards each other, have a hate filled rivalry and lose the "merseyside" tradition altogether, which is what you seem to be advocating? Or some of us could extend a hand towards our less fortunate brethren, and get back to the way Liverpool used to be.