Goalkeeper Tim Howard saved two penalties against his former club to inspire Everton to a 4-2 shoot-out win over Manchester United yesterday which sent them into the FA Cup final for the first time since 1995.
Howard saved United's first two spot-kicks from Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand after a turgid semi-final ended 0-0 after extra time. Everton will return to Wembley for the final on May 30 against Chelsea, who beat Arsenal 2-1 in Saturday's first semi-final.
Everton defender Phil Jagielka scored the winning penalty, blasting the ball past goalkeeper Ben Foster to inflict United's first defeat in an FA Cup semi-final since 1970.
United manager Alex Ferguson gambled by playing a largely reserve side and defeat ended the European champions' hopes of winning an unprecedented five major trophies this season.
"It was a tough game for us. United, whoever they play, they could put out their U-14s and it would have been a tough game because they play to win every competition that they are in," Everton manager David Moyes said.
The match itself was largely devoid of inspiration with neither team gaining control and play largely meandering around the midfield.
Everton had half a chance when Foster dallied too long on a loose ball and almost lost it to former United striker Louis Saha whose attempt at goal slammed into the goalkeeper's chest.
United threatened after 23 minutes when Everton defender Joleon Lescott deflected a shot just wide of his own goal.
United's unfamiliar line-up largely spluttered on the stodgy Wembley pitch and twice good moves down the right ended in disappointment when young striker Danny Welbeck failed to deliver a decent cross.
Carlos Tevez and Park ji-Sung never stopped working for United but Federico Macheda, the 17-year-old Italian who has scored two vital late goals as a substitute in recent league matches, was virtually anonymous on his full debut.
United appealed furiously for a penalty after 68 minutes when Welbeck appeared to be clattered by Jagielka and Ferguson was enraged when referee Mike Riley ruled there had been no infringement.
In the shootout, Cahill blasted Everton's first penalty over the bar but Howard saved Berbatov's lazy effort and Everton went ahead when Leighton Baines scored.
Howard saved from Ferdinand and former Manchester United defender Phil Neville made it 2-0 to Everton.
Nemanja Vidic and Anderson both found the net for United but James Vaughan and Jagielka held their nerve to clinch victory for Everton.