I am in a bit of an emotional state as I type this. Firstly, let me say it was an absolute privilege to have attended one of the greatest FA Cup Finals in history. There were three winners in this game. Liverpool, West Ham and football itself. I spent most of the game on the verge of tears and could quite easily howl my eyes out now.
I don't know how it appeared in TV but West Ham were superb for most of the game and were only outplayed by one player: Steven Gerrard. If he hadn't been in the Liverpool team the result today would have been very different.
My team did its supporters proud and I salute every single one of them. It was a team performance and I can't think of a single player who had a bad game. Despite conceding three goals you can't fault either Shaka Hislop or the defence for the goals. Carl Fletcher and Nigel Reo-Coker were outstanding in midfield and Yossi Benayoun was a constant problem for the Liverpool defenders.
Even Lionel Scaloni had a great game, even if it was from his clearance that Gerrard equalised in the 90th minute. I think when Steven Gerrard scored that third goal we all knew the writing was on the wall. Somehow the crowd's mood changed. But even then we nearly won it in the last minute of extra time. We hit the post and if Marlon Harewood hadn't been crippled he would have undoubtedly scored the rebound.
It's the same old story of having to take your chances when they present themselves. I cannot describe how I feel at the moment. I don't actually feel as if we lost the game. And to be honest, if we had won the penalty shoot-out I am not sure I would have felt we had won it 'properly'. That's why everyone came out of that game on top. And next season we're in Europe. Who would have thought it back in August.
I remember the first 45 minutes of our opening home game against Blackburn and thinking we would be facing a relegation fight. Far from it. Top Ten finish. FA Cup finalists. Qualified for Europe. And Alan Pardew must surely be the Manager of the Year. So, no more football until the World Cup (some of you will be relieved to hear). And tonight? For someone who doesn't drink, I think I am going to get very, very drunk...
