Carroll heads Reds back to Wembley

FA CupSaturdayLiverpool 2 - 1 EvertonTodayChelsea vs Tottenham 18:00 SS3LONDON - Liverpool’s record signing Andy Carroll went some way to justifying his huge price with the goal which put his side into their first FA Cup final since 2006 and ended the dreams of Everton in the all-Merseyside encounter at Wembley.The £35million striker had endured a testing afternoon, heading one straightforward chance wide, but came up with the winner four minutes from time at Wembley.Everton had earlier gone ahead following a first-half defensive blunder which gave Nikica Jelavic a simple chance. Luis Suarez levelled matters in the second half following another defensive howler.It could be argued the failure of Carroll to score consistently partly contributed to the removal of director of football Damien Comolli by American owners Fenway Sports Group in a ruthless move on Thursday.Manager Kenny Dalglish has steadfastly defended his big striker despite all the criticism.Both the Reds boss and the 23-year-old forward will be hoping such a significant goal in Liverpool’s season - hopes of Champions League qualification having been ended by a woeful run of results - will be a turning point for both of them.Having already won the Carling Cup in February Liverpool remain on course for a cup double, which has only been achieved three times previously - and once by themselves.Past experience favoured Liverpool against Everton at Wembley in this competition, having had two FA Cup final wins against their near-neighbours in 1986 and 1989.Of the four FA Cup semi-finals the teams had contested, Everton had been victorious in only the first in 1906 and they went on to win the competition.