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Tim Howard
Underdog: Everton keeper Tim Howard is glad Chelsea are favourites

Tim Howard ready for some 'rough and tumble'

Chris Brereton
28 May 2009


Goalkeeper Tim Howard expects Everton to thrive in their status as underdogs against Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

Guus Hiddink's team are the bookmakers' favourites to lift the trophy but Everton overcame Manchester United in the semi-finals and Howard insists they will not be overawed.

He said: "This match is massive. It's up there as my biggest one or two, that's for sure. But I'm looking forward to it. There is no question we are the underdogs.

"It may be hard to explain to those on the outside but as a group of guys we just don't care about that stuff.

"We like it when it gets rough and tumble and we like it when our backs are against the wall."

Manager David Moyes hopes an Everton victory will banish a Wembley nightmare which has haunted him for 22 years.

The 45-year-old played three times at Wembley, twice with Bristol City and once for Preston. Moyes helped City ease to a 3-0 victory over Bolton to win the 1986 Freight Rover Trophy but, 12 months later in the same competition, he handed victory to Mansfield when he missed in a penalty shoot-out after the game ended 1-1.

Moyes said: "To lose a Wembley final is bad enough but to miss the deciding penalty in a Wembley final is even worse. It's something I've never forgotten."  

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