Drogba Goal Wins Chelsea FA Cup
Manchester United Lose First Final at Wembley to extra time strike
In a disappointing game, a goal in extra time from Didier Drogba ensured Chelsea defeated Manchester United to win the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium.
A goal from Didier Drogba four minutes from the end of extra time won the FA Cup for Chelsea and brought their season to a close on a high after the disappointments of the past month.
In the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium between the top two teams in England, Chelsea and Manchester United failed to live up to the pre-match hype. The game started very slowly with both teams sizing each other up with little of note in the first half hour. Then a shot from Frank Lampard brought a sharp save from Edwin van der Sar and in the minutes preceding the interval, the game came to life. Following a mistake from Makelele, Wayne Rooney went on a run only to have his shot saved by Petr Cech and Ryan Giggs was offside as he followed up. Then more positive play from Manchester United as they tried to increase the tempo saw Cristiano Ronaldo get away from his markers for the first time.
Jose Mourinho would have been the more satisfied manager at half-time as his players had controlled the game and the pace suited their tactical plan to contain United and look to strike on the break. Chelsea kept two defenders close to Ronaldo just as United did with the Chelsea danger man Drogba. Sir Alex Ferguson would have been concerned that his players had not been able to raise their game and put the Chelsea defence under more pressure.
In the first half Chelsea had five shots on goal to United’s two giving evidence to their control of the game.
At the start of the second half Mourinho sent on Arjen Robben as substitute in place of Joe Cole. The half started much more brightly with Rooney testing Cech with a shot after a strong run. However, Chelsea continued to control the game as they increased the tempo with Robben causing some concern to the United defence. Rooney’s strength and power were a constant danger to Chelsea who caused themselves difficulties with errors in defence. Drogba hit the outside of the post from a free kick but there were few clear cut chances and as the half wore on it became more tentative again as both sets of players looked towards extra time.
In extra time, Ryan Giggs thought he had put United ahead following up from a shot by Rooney but Cech saved well, although United claimed the ball had crossed the line. Then Drogba missed from a good position for Chelsea.
As time went by the game looked destined for a penalty shoot-out for the third successive FA Cup Final but then with four minutes left Drogba exchanged passes with Lampard and scored to give Chelsea a domestic Cup ‘double’.
Chelsea had set aside their difficulties of the past weeks and every player ensured Mourinho’s tactical plan was carried out but United will have been disappointed in the performances of some of their top players. Ronaldo and Giggs were quiet while Rooney worked hard but couldn’t get in that telling pass or shot. United’s top players have again failed to produce their best showing in a vital game. They have played some exciting, fast flowing football throughout the season but as with the Champions League semi-final against AC Milan they failed to live up to their high standards.
Chelsea have lifted their season and while it wouldn’t take away the disappointment of losing the Premiership title and again missing out on Champions League success, it will have brought pleasure to their manager that he orchestrated a victory over his biggest rival in the Premiership. It wasn’t a classic, memorable Final but the Chelsea supporters won’t worry – their team has won the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium.
