I will park the FA cup here, no point opening a new thread if the cup is play not that often... ;D and after all this cup now belong to Chelsea this year.. ;D ;D
CHELSEA 1 MU 0A superb late goal by Didier Drogba, one of the season's outstanding players, proved to be enough for Chelsea to beat Manchester United 1-0 after extra-time as the Blues clinched their fourth FA Cup Final victory.
The goal enlivened a staid game that looked certain to be going to penalties as two tired teams slugged it out.
But the first FA Cup Final at the new Wembley Stadium was won by the same team that secured the last Final at the old Wembley, Chelsea having beaten Aston Villa in 2000.
It was the Blues' third victory in the last decade, they also beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in 1997.
However, it was a very humdrum game between the two best sides in England with the first 45 minutes being particularly grim viewing.
On what appeared to be a difficult surface, the first half was played at a very slow pace with chances at a premium as defences dominated.
Both sides struggled to find any space, particularly in midfield, as Jose Mourinho's team struggled without the combined talents of the injured Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko and Ricardo Carvalho.
United stepped up the pace at the start of the second half with Wayne Rooney embarking on two solo runs that warranted greater reward.
His determination seemed to galvanise his team-mates though and, after Petr Cech had parried Rooney's 47th-minute effort, Ryan Giggs lashed a volley just over the bar after good play by Paul Scholes.
When Chelsea hit back, Drogba's deflected free-kick on the hour hit the outside of the post before Cech raced off his line to dive at the feet of the rampaging Rooney.
United appeared to have the edge in extra-time and almost grabbed a 103rd-minute winner.
Rooney's tantalising cross seemed certain to be knocked home by Giggs, but the veteran Welshman failed to get a good connection on the ball six yards out and Cech was able to grasp the ball.
As Giggs' momentum took him into the keeper, the ball appeared to cross the line, but no goal was awarded.
Penalties seemed certain until, with four minutes of extra-time remaining, a rare piece of quality finally broke the deadlock.
Drogba and Frank Lampard exchanged intricate passes which allowed the Ivorian some space inside the penalty area. He used it perfectly clipping the ball over Edwin van der Sar and into the net.
The goal deflated United so Mourinho's side end the season with a Carling and FA Cup double while Sir Alex Ferguson will have to settle for another Premiership title.
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson thought his side should have had a penalty before Chelsea scored their winning goal in Saturday's FA Cup Final.
Ferguson felt Michael Essien fouled Ryan Giggs in extra-time, saying: "It's a penalty kick. To lose a game and see that is disappointing.
"We couldn't see where we were but when I see it now it's a penalty. The referee should have been in a better position to see that.
"There was a bit of tiredness The number of games they played eventually gets to them. It was the same for both but I think in two or three positions we were tired.
"The pitch was slow, maybe that didn't help but from our point of view we were tired.
"There was nothing between the two sides. Neither deserved to win or lose and we are disappointed we have lost.
"It has been exceptional what they have been through - we just couldn't cross the line."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said: "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 fans are in my heart - in the bad moments and the good moments. I love these people.
"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."
Chelsea: Shaun Wright-Phillips (Solomon Kalou 93), Arjen Robben (Ashley Cole 108), Claude Makelele, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole (Arjen Robben 45), John Terry, Wayne Bridge
Subs not used: Lassana Diarra, Carlo Cudicini
Booked: Ashley Cole 120, Claude Makelele 84, Paulo Ferreira 120, Solomon Kalou 120
Manchester United: Michael Carrick (John O'Shea 112), Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Gabriel Heinze, Ryan Giggs (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 112), Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Darren Fletcher (Alan Smith 92), Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic
Subs not used: Tomasz Kuszczak, Patrice Evra
Booked: Alan Smith 105, Paul Scholes 59, Nemanja Vidic 85
Referee: Steve Bennett
Attendance: 89826
[/img]