The 2009 FA Cup, to be played on Saturday May 30 at Wembley Stadium in London, pits a battle of the Blues, Chelsea and Everton. Each makes its return to the final game since its last FA championship.

Chelsea returns after a one year absence from its 2007 win over Manchester United. Everton returns to the FA Cup final for the first time since its 1995 championship also against the Red Devils. This is also Everton’s last major trophy. In fact, Toffees have not been to a final since.

Chelsea, on the other hand, has experienced a bit more success since 1995. They’ve won the FA Cup three times (1997, 2000, 2007 only prior final victory was 1970). The London club of course won back-to-back Premier League titles between 2004 and 2006 (ending a fifty year drought) and also reached its first Champions League final in 2008 losing to Manchester United.

Ironically, Chelsea has experienced most of the club’s success as it juggled several managers. Everton have had five managers since its 1995 FA Cup win, but have remained with current Scottish manager David Moyes since 2002.

Moyes and Everton have only qualified for Champions League once, when they finished fourth in the Premier League in 2004-2005. Consistency has not reigned at Goodison Park as Toffees have qualified for Europe and narrowly avoided relegation since the arrival of Moyes.

Chelsea will certainly double Everton’s number of managers since 1995 when current manager, Guus Hiddink, leaves the club. Claudio Ranieri experienced the longest stint with the club between 2000 and 2004.

Regardless, these two sides carry with them expectations, whether old or new, that will certainly reach an apex this Saturday.

Two sides, both who see the world through blue eyes, vow for the prestige of England’s most famous crown.

Two sides, one with a history as rich as any other club in England without much recent success in championships; the other who’s had more success in this decade than perhaps all its others combined and wish the reach that pinnacle yet again.

Two sides that view this cup as a very different statement; one for a vision come to fruition after a acquiring a coveted manager and his record signings; the other who is desperately trying to maintain its status as one of Europe’s elite clubs.

For these two sides, Saturday serves more than just a trophy presentation at the center of the pitch with thousands of its most loyal fans cheering and exulting with them. Chelsea’s Frank Lampard said that it is important for the direction of Chelsea, with its vast array of international players considered to be top in the world, to not have two seasons in a row without a trophy celebration.

Surely some Everton fans would love to be faced with the same demands at the moment. They haven’t sipped from the chalice of champions in quite some time, though their prosperous English history boasts ten league championships (one in second division) and five FA cups.

More importantly for Everton are the what seem to be cosmic signs. They’ve had the toughest road to the final, defeating Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United to reach it. They’ve become a little more consistent the past couple of seasons, qualifying for Europe and remaining on the fringe of the top four.

Although with consistency come greater expectations, and it won’t be too much longer that even Everton fans become a little critical of beloved David Moyes and the void of silverware during his reign.

Just the same, lofty expectations forever replaced fallow ones when Jose Mourinho guided Chelsea to Premier League Championships and the Blues of London became a guaranteed fixture in the latter stages of Champions League.

Saturday’s endeavor will be a crossroad of expectations. A win for Everton will cleanse the palate at Goodison Park until next season, then wants will transform into needs.

Stamford Bridge will search for a new manager, but the fact of the matter is the core of players and talent have remained much the same. Saturday can be a day of vindicated summer signings and managerial jugglings, or it can turn into a brooding of misfortunes and shortcomings.

The songs will echo Saturday from Wembley Stadium, surely all extolling the rich blue that both teams adorn. Whether it is Everton’s fans belting out “Onward Evertonians /Onward for to see / See the Royal twin towers / And Royal Wem-ber-ley” or Chelsea’s fans singing “Flying high, up in the sky, / We’ll keep the blue flag flying high / From Stamford Bridge to Wemb(er)ley / We’ll keep the blue flag flying high,” the songs will encase with them a pride that only the FA Cup can strengthen.

No, Saturday isn’t the most important game for Chelsea and Everton – it’s now the only game, and one fans will use to fuel the plight of another decade full of tradition and hopefully championships.

A bitter, often belligerent past, like that of the Yankees and Red Sox. Short distances causing territorial conflict, like the eight miles separating the campuses of Duke and North Carolina. Desire to claim oneself as the best-of-the-best, like the many championships and Heisman winners between Ohio State and Michigan. And many times it just comes down to tradition, like Harvard and Yale or Army-Navy. We can always expect superhuman efforts from these games and assured overflowing crowds that create an atmosphere unlike any other.

Until you’ve watched a derby game, you truly haven’t given soccer a fair shot. Here’s a rundown of some of the greatest derbies in the UK in hopes you’ll try and catch one this premier league season:

Merseyside Derby
Everton vs. Liverpool
There’s two types of people in Liverpool, England: a blue (Everton) and a red (Liverpool) – two teams separated by ten city blocks and roots deeper than any red oak in California. Many stories surround how these two clubs came to be, but here’s my favorite: Everton was the original club in Liverpool, but after a dispute over the stadium, Everton players bolted across town for a fresh start. Those who stayed began the Liverpool Football Club.

North London Derby
Arsenal vs. Tottenham Hotspur
The only two clubs in the north of London and perhaps the most heated London derby. Tottenham defeated the Gunners last year 5-1 for the first time since the 1999 campaign. Spurs fans hold on to fewer and much older accolades than their neighbors, Arsenal, but this rivalry could be rejuvenated after last year’s result along with Tottenham’s many summer signings.

North-West Derby
Manchester United vs. Liverpool
The two most successful clubs in England have a right to have their own derby, even if they are separated by more land than any of these others.

Tyne-Wear Derby
Newcastle United vs. Sunderland
From the Northwest derby to one in the Northeast of England. Two cities in the same region only ten miles apart. Many factors play into this derby and some run as deep as those supportive of the English Parliament and those supportive of the Royalists.

London Borough Derby
Chelsea vs. Fulham
It’s a treat any time two London clubs get together. This one parallels the small farm school against the big city school. Chelsea is known worldwide and consistently signs top players and enjoys the riches of international success, while Fulham stays humble in a much smaller stadium yet loyal fan base. The allure of this rivalry is the day Fulham can pull of the monstrous upset at their home park, similar to Milan beating Muncie Central, or Hickory defeating South Bend for you movie buffs.

Lancashire Derby (Manchester)
Manchester United vs. Manchester City
The Lancashire region of Northwest England has many derby games, like the battle for Manchester. Usually dominated by United, this derby gained some validity last year when City took the first match against the defending and eventual champions.

Old Firm Derby
Celtic vs. Rangers
This derby comes form the Scottish Premier League and is my personal favorite for several reasons. Both have dominated Scottish soccer, winning a combined 127 Scottish titles. In the late 1880’s when Catholics wanted to play football in Glasgow, the Protestant affiliated Rangers were not very welcoming. So naturally, the Catholics started their own club in 1888 and called it the Celtic Football Club. Nothing more bitter than religious strife! This derby has been a whirlwind, but the mid 1900’s brought change that saw Catholics play for Rangers and Protestants play for Celtic, originally brought about with international signings. The people of Glasgow haven’t forgotten about history and continue to support the club originally allied with their church. My grandfather is a native Protestant of Glasgow and when I asked him if he went to games as a child, he answered with conviction, “I went to Ibrox to support Rangers.” To this day, fans of the away side need police escort to enter the stadium before the game and if you’re an outsider, you’d better know how to dress and not get caught wearing Protestant orange at Celtic Park or green at Ibrox Stadium.

“What day is it?” Well, it’s SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!”

Yes, on this celebrated day I know everyone is waiting with baited breath on Casey’s predictions for the game. I’ll leave that ‘til
later. We have some other topics to consider.

Something to keep in mind: the New York Giants two previous Super Bowl victories have created a ripple effect that exists years later. Super Bowl XXI saw the first occurrence of the post-victory Gatorade bath while Super Bowl XXV included Whitney Houston’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner that we have now heard ad nauseam, and too many people have tried to create their own version of Whitney’s passionate piece. Could today mark another Super Bowl victory for the Giants that will be remembered for years to come? Will it be the day perfection died? (Oooh a new Don Mclean song?)

Today’s contest comes down to the impact of Ahmad Bradshaw. The Giants have established the little jumping bean as a second half compliment to Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs has been wearing down defenses in the first half, and Bradshaw reaps the benefit late in the game of rushing against a tired defense. If the Giants are to win today, Bradshaw’s presence will need to be felt.

Anyone for a little spy gate? Nah, we’ll leave that alone – far too early to make conclusions.

Who do you think Bill Parcells is cheering for today? Actually, who do you think Parcells received more phone calls from over the last week or so? Coughlin? Or Belichik?

Great article in today’s D&C about Coach C.

Looks cold in Arizona. Keyshawn has some funky scarf action working.

Congratulations to Art Monk. At long last the former Redskin great will get a bust in Canton. As a Giant fan Monk was one of those opponents I always had to respect. Nowadays we have receivers who spend more time preparing their end zone dances. Monk just did his job – to the tune of 820 career receptions – including at least one reception in 164 games.

NBA Chatter: What should we make of the recent victories by the East over the West? Sure it is February (actually games happened in January), but the Celtics passed one of their first tough tests by beating the Dallas Mavericks – and without Kevin Garnett. Also the Detroit Pistons knocked off the Los Angeles. Of course then the Lakers went out and acquired Pau Gasol. Does this make the Lakers into contenders?

Speaking of contenders the Memphis Tigers are the last unbeaten standing in NCAA Men’s hoops. Can the Tigers bring some validity to Conference-USA? Or will their regular season schedule hurt them come tournament time? A February 23rd date with the Tennessee Volunteers should serve as an ample gauge.

EPL Yakety-Yak: Brother Reynell was on the mark with his caveats about the Everton Toffees. Minus Yakubu and Andy Johnson still less than 100% the Mersysiders have back-to-back scoreless ties.

Are the Mets any more of a contender now that they have acquired Santana?

Casey’s Super Bowl Predictions: Double dipping will occur in 77% of the houses watching today’s game. Before the game is over 100 people will ask: Is that Peyton Manning’s brother? Tom Petty will play the following songs: ‘I Won’t Back Down,’ ‘Free Fallin,’ ‘American Girl,’ ‘I Need To Know,’ ‘A Mind With A Heart of Its Own.’

You didn’t think Casey would actually make a prediction on the game did ya?

Make sure you take your B-12…orally.