Champions Of Europe!

May 22, 2008

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Uefa Champions League Final
Man Utd 1 Chelsea 1 (United Win 6-5 on Penalties)
21st May 2008
Luzhniki Stadium
Moscow

Man Utd 1 - Ronaldo 26′

Chelsea 1 - Lampard 45′, (Drogba Sent Off 116′)

Fergie has gone some way to cementing that legacy now - 2 Champions League titles to add to his 10 Premier League titles.

United dominated the first half with Ronaldo living up to his star billing, full of pace, trickery and verve.

The player of the year gave United a deserved lead on 26 minutes and the goal seemed to consolidate United’s superior rhythm.

A couple of gilt-edged chances fell to Carlos Tevez, but the Argentinian workhorse was thwarted by Cech with the first and narrowly failed to connnect with the second.

Chelsea eventually found some rhythm shortly before half time and drew level after a couple of lukcy deflections span the ball into the path of the advancing Lampard who tucked home past van der Sar.

That rather fortunate goal seemed to knock the wind out of United and Chelsea went on to dominate second half possession with United looking a shadow of their first-half selves.

Just as in 1999 when United rode their luck before eventually triumphing, Chelsea twice hit the woodwork - once through Drogba and even more dramatically through Lampard.

United hung on to take the match into extra time, which was a more evenly matched affair - until Didier Drogba contrived to get himself sent off with a ridiculous slap on Vidic after the Chelsea players had - wrongly - harried Tevez for failing to return the ball after an injury.

Drogba, in what must surely be his last match as a Chelsea player, trudged from the field in disgrace. Enormous fun for all those fans who have become sick of his tantrums and play-acting.

As extra time drew on neither side could quite unlock the door and the sickening prospect of penalties dawned.

Auspiciously, the spot kicks were taken at the United fans end, but seemingly inauspiciously the first player to miss was United’s player of the season - Cristiano Ronaldo.

The staggered run up which has served him so well, this time - as against Barcelona - failed to trick the keeper, Cech saving comfortably.

It seemed all was lost for United and it fell to Chelsea captain, John Terry, to take the kick which could have given the trophy to Chelsea.

The England player stepped up purposefully to take the kick but, just as he launched himself, lost his footing on the sodden turf and sent the ball crashing against the post.

A lifeline for United.

Up stepped club legend Ryan Giggs to calmly sweep home the next spot kick. Once again - incredibly - United could believe.

Chelsea had to score - and that onerous task fell to ex Arsenal / Liverpool / Man City player, Nicolas Anelka.

Van der Sar, so often superlative at penalties had thus far failed to save one, but he guessed the direction the Frenchman would choose, parried the ball out and stood joyously waiting to be engulfed by his onrushing team mates.

It wasn’t quite as dramatic as ‘99, but tonight no one cares. United are champions of Europe again - and feel on top of the world.

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