MANCHESTER United's double dream was shattered by Chelsea as Didier Drogba's extra-time strike settled a lacklustre FA Cup final.
Both sides looked tired during the game and defences were comfortably on top for most of the time.
Ryan Giggs missed United's best chance close to the end of the first period of extra time but his weak effort was saved at close range by Petr Cech.
And the Reds were made to pay when a slick one-two with Frank Lampardove set Drogba free and the Ivory Coast forward prodded the ball past Edwin van der Sar.
United did their best to rally but after a draining season, in which they extended every sinew to finish Premiership champions, they had nothing left to give as two teams too tired to reach the Champions League final did finally fall on the ropes exhausted.
The evidence of a draining campaign was there for all to see.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Drogba, widely accepted as the best two players in the Barclays Premiership, were virtual bystanders.
Ronaldo was walking by the end of normal time, unable to raise a gallop to aid Wayne Rooney as the United youngster tried in vain to inspire his side to a late winner without the need for an extra 30 minutes.
Maximum
As usual, Rooney defied his body, pushing it to the absolute maximum.
One admirable burst took him from one box to another without single team-mate able to support.
But like so much in this heavyweight contest, a brief moment of excitement gave way to a sigh of disappointment.
At least there was something to enthuse about after half-time for, after the big build-up, the opening 45 minutes proved to be the dampest of damp squibs.
Aside from Paul Scholes dropping deep and isolating Chelsea’s full-backs with a series of eye-catching crossfield passes, the creative element to the game was non-existent.
It was more an exaggerated arm-wrestle in which neither side was prepared to give an inch.
Despite losing so many key men to injury, Chelsea did create the most obvious of what could be classed as opportunities.
Lampard’s long-range effort skimmed the top of Edwin van der Sar’s net without ever looking like going in it.
The England international also stormed onto Paulo Ferreira’s square ball only to find the United keeper’s giant frame in the way as he tried to fire into the bottom corner.
With Ronaldo subdued, Giggs equally muted and Scholes’ pinpoint passing not triggering the required response, United looked to Rooney for a spark.
It took the half-time introduction of Arjen Robben for Joe Cole to send a current of electricity through the contest to finally jerk it into life.
The Dutchman’s direct running forced United into a defensive rethink but also encouraged Chelsea to shed some discipline too in the hope of gaining a reward.
As gaps started to open, Cech was forced into his first save as Rooney wriggled his way into space and let fly with a powerful 25-yard effort.
That dreaded offside flag rendered Giggs’ attempt to ram home the rebound worthless but Cech denied him anyway.
History
On the cusp of another piece of history, Giggs volleyed United’s best chance just over after Scholes had dropped one of his devastating bombs over the Chelsea defence.
Inspired by Robben, Chelsea were getting into the attacking spirit as well and after Scholes had picked up the first yellow card of the contest for upending Lampard, Drogba struck the outside of a post with his low free-kick.
But United were on something of a roll. Cech dived bravely at the feet of Rooney after Terry seemed to lose his bearings on the edge of the six-yard area, then Michael Essien thundered into Giggs to prevent the Red Devils skipper causing havoc after he had beaten the Chelsea offside trap.
Essien produced a replica meaty challenge to snuff out the danger when Rooney skipped past Ferreira in stoppage time, by which point Lampard had almost, but not quite, carved out an excellent shooting chance for himself.
Extra-time brought more evidence of legs drained of energy, plus a moment of controversy as Giggs slid in to meet Rooney’s far-post cross.
The United skipper rose to claim the ball had crossed the line as Cech clutched it to his body.
TV replays showed Giggs was correct, although if it had not been for him maintaining his slide to bundle into Cech, he would not have been.
Still, as referee Steve Bennett did not give what appeared to be an obvious foul, United could feel aggrieved, although not as aggrieved as Chelsea would have been if they had fallen behind.
Jose Mourinho could have had no complaint if Rooney had been able to control another inspired Scholes pass.
Instead, not for the first time, Cech came to the rescue with a brave save which, in the end, was to prove so crucial.
What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.
Chelsea 1 United 0 (aet)
May 19, 2007
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Outraged, nothing wrong with Smiths challenge that brought the free kick that they scored from. It was a bit strange because for most of the game we were the better team, even though our flair players under performed. Giggs should have buried that chance when Rooney crossed and he had other chances. Ronaldo was a bit quiet during that game, although after the season he's had he's aloud to have an off day. Chelsea get loads of plaudits for not giving up and not knowing how to lose. But today they were just lucky. We didn't take our chances or play as well as we can. Also the referee kept giving them free kicks and we couldn't get a thing. Hopefully we can go out and get the players that will give us that something extra and I for one can't wait. Chelsea won't know whats hit them. CHAMPION, CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONS
So was it a foul by smith that lead to the free kick that lead to their goal? I think not. Will anyone mention it on the TV coverage? I doubt it.
I don't mind too much when we lose fair and square but Chelsea's goal resulted from a free kick that should never have been given. The ref had been suspect all through the game. But on saying that, we never looked as though we were going to win. Apart from the goal that wasn't given we never looked totally in command. If you don't score , you don't win - end of story!!
Just like watching City - rubbish!Right result though.
hey hey.. anybody still saying Fletcher is man utd standard??? our weakest link together with mr Ryan Giggs...
Poor game. Poor performance. Only Rio, Vidic, Rooney and Brown turned up. Ronaldo, Carrick and especially Giggs a disgrace. When we kick-off and played like it was a Serie A match I really feared the worst. Just desserts for Fergie who when we have only one striker should have played Evra instead of Heinze. We had absolutely nothing going forward. We needed Saha for this game. We had no width and played right to Chavski's strengths which was through the middle. Also we need OH too as our midfield is pedestrian and has no bite at all. At least we got the EPL title but this performance was weak and the tactics crap. We need a new left winger this summer!!
another poor cagey performance once again our tactics have been found wanting. giggs cant play in the middle against a top team. fletcher i actually feel sorry for the lad he was stuck out wide in a position he is illequiped for and was a total nonentity. ronaldo chose the cup final for his most anonymous game of the season. carrick was the invisible man for the whole of the time he was on the field. and we must ask the ? is he capable of raising his game when it really matters? rooney worked like a trojan, scholes had a neat and tidy game and the whole of the defence defended well. heinze passing forward was shocking and the goalie had nothing to do except pick the ball out of the net. ones thing for sure all these contributors extolling the virtue of 451 yet again should be ashamed. we lost a big game playing a system that does not suit us and to boot is very unsuccesful.
Ronaldo best player in the world... yeah right! Come the big games he never delivers! AC Milan, Chelsea etc...
To all you Rags crying into your shandy in Kuala Lumpur, Caracas and Exmouth. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! Tragic
1st point giggs fouled the keeper
2rd point VERY poor game
3rd point the pitch is a national DISGRACE its been down for ayear now and still rip's up . Whats wrong with the rootzone and roots ?? CTID
been sick as a pig all week because i didnt get a tkt in the ballot. then again saved myself 400 quid and the pain of watching live another typical EUROPEAN style performance . we are rubbish when we adopt this style and it just does not work in big games.
That was a poor performance from manutd. Rooney,brown,vidic,scholes and ferdinand were the only good players on the pitch!
Ronaldo was so lazy and so was the rest of the team!
what's with the chelsea players??! they were falling like hell! boring game, but still manchester rules them all!!!!
GOO REDS! :)
A Citeh fan in London, Blue John? Don't tell me you've been lost for 31 years haven't you?
£2000 to watch that bobbins. Get down to Eastlands for 30 sheets.
I really don't understand that performance ok it can be said fatigue but doesn't really wash for professional athletes. Don't get me wrong I couldn't see them scoring but this was a world wide spectacle to build fan base & create more history. With Essian at the back surely 442 was the best way to do it? Got to say the ref was crap also I dont know how he missed the pen on Giggsy & it was a goal anyway. Never mind well done all the players for some great stuff this season.
Shocking boring game,but delighted with the result especially glad to see our Shaun get a winners medal.
The back four played well.Midfield was out muscled,which showed that it needs beef.
Rooney had no support.We did very well to win the league.Hand on heart I think most would agree Chelsea are stronger than UNITED.
Whether he makes it at OT or not I'd have actually used Eagles as sub for Giggs.They won it in ET because Kalou gave them thrust.Chelsea players were tired too but we had no fresh pace to hurt them.The players have given everything.Everything wasn't quite enough.We need beef to combat Chelsea.Our back four were very strong,we need strength in midfield.
A lacklustré performance.
lacking spark, spirit(often a lot) & hunger.
It looked like a pre-season performance!
Yes he's (SAF) probably right they were tired, but we played not to lose!
They (the chav$ki$) played not to concede & it worked
I am afreauiid only Wes, Rio, Vidic, scholes & Roo played with any belief and conviction (Wes great tackle on Robben!)
Rooney showing fight & effort even looking tired!
We showed the too much respect and they sensed this AND GROUND ON.
Isn't DrogbaA AN IRRITATING MAN!
We have ourselves to blame because when we put our game together there was only one side going to win it!
CR & Heinze very, very poor today! Showing as if they were back in their respective lands on holidays!
IT WAS THERE FOR THE TAKING.
Alas, now the season ends on a bit of a whimper!
Anyhow shirts thanks for taking us there!
That was really poor. I dont think either team particularly deserved the win.
Still cant fathom why the ref awarded a free kick against Smith, from which they eventually scored. He clearly won the ball. Fat Frank was sliding in 2 footed all afternoon and never received any sanction.
Ah well, all I can say is: CHAMPIONIES, CHAMPIONIES, CHAMPIONIES,CHAMPIONIES, CHAMPIONIES ...............................
As a City fan can I just make a few points (and no, I am not glaoting);
Firstly - hard luck
Secondly - I thought Scholes was outstanding and still think England miss him more than they have ever missed Beckham
Thirdly - if you thought today's game was boring then be grateful you haven't sat through something similar 38 times this season like City fans have had to do
One consolation for United fans is that at least they dont have far to travel to get home--He He.
We were tactically beaten by a manager who is a tactical genius. Why do we insist of changing tactics for big games? Why is the excuse the players were tired when Chelsea have played the same number of games? Why is Fletcher sometimes singled out for criticism when he is played out of position? Chelsea are clearly in my view the better team even though we won the league. I hope we do not have another summer of little or no transfer activity because I believe we will be found wanting a little next year if we do. I have been a Carrick fan but today he was atrocious. To win the league was a brilliant effort but the crucial time was when Chelsea had injuries to key players at the same time. The fact we have won the ECL only once under Fergie shows where his weakness lies (tactical nouse). He is the supreme motivator and has been brilliant but I don't think we will win the ECL again under his guidance.
only spent 200 mill the girls were tired.it was over the line. was the wind blowing the wrong way. ha ha ha ha ha THE MOST BORING FA CUP EVER
So nice of citeh fans to come and cheer us up, reminding us of bitters who can't even make it to any cup final. I feel better already.. thanks. As for SWP winning a medal, yeah it can happen when one leaves the wastelands.
I think that Sir Alex should be allowed to spend loads of money buying all the best players so he can prove he's the best manager of all time.