I was asked this question the other day...'what is beautiful football' - well I replied, that all depends on what your idea of beauty is!

 

On Saturday in North London, the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Everton will question our ideas of beauty in a way that Barcelona triumph in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night didn't - but that though is the magic of football. While Rome was full of artistry and panache, London will be bursting with tests of manhood and physicality. There can be no doubt though that they'll be more Gladiators on display at Wembley than there were at the Stadio Olimpico - it'll still be football...just different.

 

Everton, their manager, David Moyes and their highly partisan fans rightly pride themselves on being a blue-collar team hence the nickname, 'The Peoples Club' seems to suit them aptly. They are gritty, physical, tough, well organized and in the eye of the beholder - beautiful.

 

Chelsea on the other hand flirts with the idea of beauty however they are more like Everton than would like us to believe. Yes, they began the season with designs on matching that mesmerizing outfit that dumped them out of the Champions League but reality is about results, plain and simple - so when push comes to shove, out goes beauty and in comes the beast.

 

So what happens when two immovable objects meet on the vast expanse that is the hallowed and much maligned Wembley turf?

 

Goalkeepers: Tim Howard vs. Petr Cech

 

Howard has had his most consistent season in England to date. I don't think he's as spectacular as he once was but by-and-large he's eliminated the 'big' match changing mistakes. Most importantly he has the belief of the players in front of him. From 12 yards out where I think this game may be decided, he was huge in the semi-final even though the Man Utd attempts were pathetic.

 

Unlike Howard, Cech has had his most inconsistent season since arriving in England. The Czech colossus has lost the invincibility that made him the best in the world. He looks suspect under an aerial attack and I won't be surprised if Everton test him early and often however as an out-and-out shot stopper, he's still right up there with the best.

 

Advantage: Everton

 

Back Four (projected): Leighton Baines, Joseph Yobo, Joleon Lescott, Tony Hibbert vs. Jose Bosingwa, John Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole

 

If the match was played on paper, Everton needn't show up as the Blues back four looks far more cosmopolitan but looks can be deceiving. Despite winning matches, Chelsea has recently been conceding from set pieces and crosses again - this was their Achilles heel under Luiz Felipe Scolari.

 

The Toffees on the other hand have gotten better as the season progressed. Granted losing Phil Jagielka is a blow that the likes of Drogba and Anelka may yet still exploit but confidence is a powerful aphrodisiac that will serve them well.

 

Going forward, Baines and Lescott are excellent at set pieces although they're no match for the explosiveness of Bosingwa, Terry and Alex.

 

Advantage: A tie

 

Midfield (Projected): Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Steven Pienaar, Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman vs. Frank Lamaprd, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Florent Malouda

 

I can't see Moyes allowing Chelsea the time and space to boss the middle of the park so he'll have to play the extra man and deny space through simply outworking four ridiculously talented footballers. It'll be about tracking runs, winning 2nd balls, competing for all the 50/50 challenges and hammering them when they get a chance.

 

The Blues have that extra guile and if they can keep the ball moving at pace, the Toffees could be chasing shadows. They are also deadly with long-range bombs and if they are not closed down, Howard better watch out for incoming missiles.

 

Advantage: Chelsea

 

Forwards (Projected): Luis Saha vs. Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka

 

Everton did know what they were getting when they signed the new 'sick-note' from Man Utd, still, even they would've been disappointed with a return of just 18 games played. Now it's a chance for Saha to repay that faith and in all honesty there are not many better finishers in football when he is healthy. If he can get two chances, he'll score at least one however his opponents in this art are two of the best.

 

This will probably be Drogba's last match for Chelsea and he'll be looking to add to his 93 all time goals total for the Londoners while Anelka has proven this season that when his mind is right, he remains one of the elite strikers in world football. All three players are capable of every conceivable finish when given even half-a-chance.

 

Advantage: Chelsea

 

Managers: David Moyes vs. Guus Hiddink

 

Moyes has long been considered the best manager outside the 'B4' - now he has a chance to prove it and yes, he does need a trophy to make that resume pop. Hiddink knows that his legacy will not be tarnished one way or the other regardless of the result. Both men know their stuff and both are naturally conservative. The man who can step outside of the box may take home the silverware.

 

Advantage: Everton (Moyes wants it more)

 

Recently matches between these two clubs have been tight, dour and short of beauty. I can't but help feel that that trend will continue and one goal could be enough. I'd even go so far as to say that we could even be in for 120 minutes and penalties. If it does go that far, Everton will win however if the final is decided in 90 minutes the Blues will be celebrating.

 

If you like teams pummeling one another at 100 mph this one could will be a beauty for you.

 

Until then, I'll see you at the far post.