Carroll Strikes Late to Sink Everton and Take Liverpool to FA Cup Final‎ [PHOTOS]

Andy Carroll scored a dramatic winner as Liverpool came from behind to defeat rivals Everton 2-1, at Wembley, to reach the FA Cup final.

Everton opened the scoring in the 24<sup>th minute when Jamie Carragher's woeful clearance hit Tim Cahill and fell kindly to Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic, who slotted past the on-rushing Brad Jones.

The Reds equalised after the break when Luis Suarez seized upon a weak back-pass by French full-back Sylvain Distin to calmly roll the ball into the corner, beating Tim Howard.

Liverpool scored the winning goal with just four minutes to go, as Carroll leaped above Jelavic and Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini to head Craig Bellamy's free-kick into the back of Everton's net, sending Liverpool to the final.

Liverpool made six changes to the team that beat Blackburn in a midweek game. Manager Kenny Dalglish recalled Steven Gerrard, Suarez, Carragher, Daniel Agger and Stewart Downing to the starting line-up and named Brad Jones as his starting keeper, following suspensions to first choice Pepe Reina and back-up Alexander Doni.

Meanwhile, Everton boss David Moyes also reverted to his strongest available line-up as Cahill, Jelavic, Leighton Baines, Distin and Darron Gibson came into the starting line-up after missing the 4-0 victory over Sunderland in their midweek game.

The game was scrappy in the first half with only a few chances being offered by either side. Liverpool's Jay Spearing wasted the best chance of the half, when he was set by Carroll only to fire wide.

The Toffees almost made their rivals pay. Baines curled a free kick on to the roof of the net from 25 yards out, after Agger fouled Jelavic.

Liverpool went into the break trailing by Jelavic's goal.

They should have been level soon after the break when a Stewart Downing cross found an unmarked Carroll but the striker somehow managed to put his header wide from three yards, much to the frustration of the Reds' fans.

There was joy for Liverpool, though, when Suarez equalised, capitalizing on an error by Distin.

Unfortunately for the neutral supporter the game once again descended into a scrappy affair, with few clear-cut chances for either side; each was more intent on keeping the other out.

However, with extra-time looming, Liverpool substitute Bellamy, who had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, sent in a superb cross for Carroll to nod home.

Argentinean Maxi Rodriguez could have sealed the match for Liverpool in the 89<sup>th minute but he smacked Suarez's cross against the post.

Liverpool held on through stoppage time for a precious derby victory.

Ironically, it is the second time in five days that Carroll has come to Liverpool's rescue after scoring an injury-time winner against Blackburn in midweek. His last two performances must surely have provided the big forward with a performance boost and taken some pressure off his back.

The goal ensured Liverpool now have the opportunity to finish another highly disappointing season on something of a high. They will now play either Tottenham or Chelsea, in next month's FA Cup final.

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