After all, this has ended up as a good season! Two trophies, runner-up in the league and semifinalists in the champions league. Quite a few milestones in this season – unbeaten in home league matches for three seasons, won all English trophies in a span of three seasons, sixth trophy in three seasons, first English team to win in Estadio Mestalla, first FA cup win in new Wembley stadium . . . you can add more.


Chelsea wanted to win this for various reasons: (i) only trophy yet to be won by Jose (ii) a sweet revenge (iii) for pride (iv) to end on a positive note (v) just to win. Man Utd had their eyes on the league double. For them to achieve a league double during these periods of Chelsea domination, would have been some achievement. Most of us were expecting a cracking final. Certainly it was, but not until the end of the first half.

Not very surprisingly, both teams started out very quietly, playing not-so-enterprising football. It was evident that neither team wanted to concede an early goal at any cost. In a match between the two best English teams, the first shot on target came on 31 minutes (from Lampard). This explains better. Though it was quiet for long periods of time, Chelsea was easily the better team in the first half showing more hunger and passion. The highlight of the first half was how Paulo contained Ronaldo. The player of the season, who has been a constant goal threat all season, was almost anonymous. Credit to Paulo for showing what he’s really worth. With the way Diarra was going, I never thought Paulo would snatch it back from him.

Man Utd, expectedly, upped the tempo in the second half. Rooney played a great game for Man Utd. But for some brilliant tackles by Essien and super saves by Cech, he would have surely scored and would have thoroughly deserved his goal. While Essien was making those crunching tackles, his midfielder instincts did show up occasionally and also made some errors that you would not expect from Ricardo. At the end of the second half, honours were even, with Chelsea being slightly better on statistics. It was anybody’s match. Even if Man Utd had won in 90 minutes, I could not have complained.

I did not want this game to go to penalties. Not that the bad memories of the recent sudden death made me think so. I just did not want this great game to be decided by spot flukes. While Chelsea appeared to be tiring fast, it was still clear that they badly wanted to win this trophy, may be more than Man Utd. This game was dominated by the Chelsea midfield of Lampard, Mikel and Maka. They all played superbly and you could see what a well-rested Lampard could offer. Mikel once again played a very pivotal role in the midfield and makes me wonder once again why his name was not considered for the ‘young player of the year’.

Two other players who impressed me in this match were Robben and Cech. Though Robben played only for about 60 mins, he was tormenting the first choice Man Utd defence. You can say that he is in form when he runs past world class defenders like he is doing his skills in the training ground. On several occasions, the Man Utd defence were embarrassed very badly by his flip-flaps. It was a shame that he couldnt play a part in the winning goal. Petr Cech. We’ve said enough and more. When Jose used to call him as the best goalkeeper in the world, I always thought, ‘oh yes, one of the best’. Having come back from a near-fatal head injury, his recent performances have truly made him the ’50-million-pound-man’. I cannot think of any other goalkeeper who is better than Petr at this moment.

In the second half of the extra time, came this interesting moment where Giggs found a new way of scoring a goal. I have utmost respect for Giggs, who I think is a fantastic professional and a true Man Utd legend, but for him to claim an illegal goal was not quite like him. Rooney made swift cross that was meant for Alan Smith or Giggs. With Smith failing to connect the ball, Giggs made a meal of that finish and Cech collected the ball as cool as he can be, about 2 feet from the goal line. Unable to stop the momentum, Giggs crashed onto Cech who saved and stalled, pushing Cech inside the goal with the ball about half a foot inside the line. I’m not sure if any of the officials saw it. I was expecting for a freekick to be given to Cech for Giggs sliding on Cech to push him behind the line. Once the keeper has legally grabbed the tight to his chest, anything you do is not going to help you.

Cristiano Ronaldo was a spectator for most of the match. He had switch from left to right to keep away from Paulo who had him in his pocket. He got no favours from Wayne too. He could hardly ever step into the box, but for the set pieces. At a big stage, when it mattered, at his best form and fitness, we have tamed Ronaldo and he was no better than what Ljunberg was, in his last few matches (I’m not sure if that was an insult!). The way Chelsea controlled the midfield was a joy to watch. Even in defence, barring a few mistakes, we never panicked, even when Rooney was one-on-one with Cech. Overall, we were better organised and prepared for this game than Man Utd.

With 4 minutes to go and the possibility of yet another spot kick session looming large, came the moment we were all waiting for. While everyone was expecting this match to go to the penalties, Mikel sensed an opportunity and passed the ball to Drogba. The next 3 seconds were pure magic. Drogba flicked the ball to Lampard and Lamps sent back a perfectly weighted lob to Drogba in the middle of the box. Van der Sar realised the danger and advanced to Drogba, which did not change Top Drog’s plans. He coolly finished with a volley to send the blues crazy. The goal celebrations were extravangant and I just loved them. Man Utd knew that to score against Chelsea in the last four minutes in this stage is almost impossible.

Drogba has had a great season. I’m not even sure if he would have another season like this in future. Out of his 33 goals this season, more than 25 goals must really match winning or crucial ones. This was a perfect finish for Drogba’s magnificent season. If you look back this season, you might conclude that this was his most important goal for its value and the stage.

This post-match comments from Drogba sums up the ‘New Drogba’:

This doesn’t make up for the League and Champions League – and we want our title back. But I love finals, you only reach them to win, and this was a very difficult game against a fantastic team. I was looking for this first goal against Manchester United for two years and it happened today. Now we just want to celebrate.

[video]http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/6yUgYNYm3g1DAegeR[/video]

[video]http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/5y5f0PQfnvcvgegwe[/video]

John Terry too talks about coming back stronger for the premiership and champions league next season. Not coincidence, just team mentality.

We have signed off the season on a high note and that makes me very proud. We kept going right until the end and this is what this team is all about. We’re disappointed about the League and the Champions League but we will come back even stronger next year.

Of all the player interviews, this one from Lampard would most interest the Chelsea fans:

These are my people and I want to stay. This is my club and I hope I can sort it out soon because I want to stay forever.

Well, we’d like you to stay here forever too. It’ll all be sorted out. I hope before the start of the next season, Frank signs another 4-year deal or something.

Jose did not fail to signal the crowd on the sixth trophy. After a couple of seasons, he might need someone else’s help if he continues this legend. Roman, Kenyon were all seen very happy. I hope Roman is satisfied with what we have achieved this season.
He gave it all to the players:

We have won every trophy in English football in three years. It is something the players deserve so much because of the difficult season they have had. It is a moment for everybody to enjoy. I think we deserve to go into the holiday period with this cup and a medal. The team played very well, they understood exactly the plan. The players deserved to win this final trophy of the season and the victory is for them and for the supporters. We know the game plan and how to beat them and I think the boys deserved this great moment.

He was at his best when he conveyed that his most talked about dog has been sent back to Portugal:

The dog is fine in Portugal – that big threat is away – you don’t have to worry about crime anymore.

Man! You have to give it to him!