FA Cup semi-final: The Opta stats

OPTA statistics from Saturday's all-Merseyside semi-final at Wembley show how Stewart Downing posed a constant threat to Everton's back four by firing in more crosses than any other player in red. According to the stats, Liverpool's wide play was much more decisive than Everton's. Downing whipped in eight passes - twice as many as the Blues' midfield combined - and created four shooting opportunities for his teammates. Of the 13 crosses David Moyes' side attempted overall, not one was met by a player in blue. On the other hand, Kenny Dalglish's men found a red shirt with 23.8 per cent of their 21 crosses. One of those came from Craig Bellamy in the 87th minute. And Andy Carroll nodded it home for Liverpool's winner. In all, the Reds took 18 shots at Tim Howard's goal, while Everton managed 10 at Brad Jones. The victors came out on top in the possession stakes as well with 55.8 per cent of the play. The Blues had the ball for 44.2 per cent of the game. Liverpool out-passed the opposition playing 441 passes to Everton's 351. Daniel Agger touched the ball more times than any other player involved in the semi-final. The Dane had the ball at his feet on 72 occasions; his skipper Steven Gerrard was second with 69, while full-back Glen Johnson took 68. Between the sticks, Jones and Howard made three saves each on the day. However, Liverpool's Australian stopper was much more clinical in the distribution stakes. Despite hitting more passes than the Everton 'keeper (27-19), Jones had a higher accuracy rate of 59.3 per cent compared to Howard's 26.3 per cent. Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel were busy clearing the danger for the Reds, playing the ball to safety 17 times between them. Agger made two successful tackles and blocked the opposition once. Agger and Carragher both won 100 per cent of their 'aerial duels' and they were solid on the floor as well, winning 85.7 and 80 per cent of their 'duels' respectively. Steven Gerrard played more passes than any other player on the park hitting 51 balls. Just behind him with 50 was his central-midfield partner Jay Spearing. But Spearing had a better pass accuracy than his skipper as 90 per cent of the 23-year-old's passes found a red shirt, compared to 84.3 per cent of Gerrard's. Andy Carroll had the most shots for Liverpool, trying his luck on six occasions and only one of those came from outside the penalty area. Meanwhile Everton's Nikica Jelavic fired five strikes goalwards. Luis Suarez had two shots, both were on target and both from inside Howard's penalty area. One of the Uruguayan's efforts levelled the game for the Reds on 62 minutes.