Cup Final Stats Bonanza

Stats

If Everton are victorious on Saturday they will be the first cup-winning side to have beaten the top three teams in that season's top-flight on the way.  In addition the Toffees have also beaten Aston Villa, who finished sixth.

Since the 8th December 2008 Everton and Chelsea have collectively appeared in 63 matches and lost just six - three apiece, the Toffees to Manchester United, Portsmouth and Manchester City (all league) with Chelsea beaten by Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs, also in the league.  Fewest matches lost by English top-flight clubs since that date (prior to the European Cup final):

3 Man United (40 games)
3 Chelsea (35 games)
3 Liverpool (30 games)
3 Everton (28 games)

This is Everton's 19th appearance at the old and new Wembley, with the Toffees' playing record being:

Last season Portsmouth won the FA Cup having played Fulham in their final league match, Everton will be hoping history repeats itself.

Like 1984, the Toffees have lost just three of the preceding 22 league matches to the final, accumulating 39 points (W10 D9 L3) in 1983/84 which is similar to the record over the same period in 2008/09 of 41 points (W11 D8 L3).  

This the second-latest date in the season Everton have played a first team fixture, the league game against Arsenal in 1947 was played on May 31st, although this was due to the season being extended due to the harsh winter.