As the Manchester United players awoke from their slumber the morning after the Champions League final and looked down at the medal still probably glistening around their neck they will have wondered, if only a little, just how lucky they were.
Football is a cruel game and this final was no different, for me Chelsea should have won as they had been the more likely to score. Drogba was first denied by the post and then Lampard's nifty turn and shot was met by the crossbar. United themselves could have been 2-0 up had a Tevez connected with Ronaldo's cross after the Portuguese winger had risen to head them in front.
Chelsea Football Club
It was lady luck that played a big part in the build up to Chelsea's equalizer as an Essien shot took not one but two wicked deflections before landing in the path of Lampard who slid a shot into the net. Looking skyward no doubt to his Mum rather than the gods.
Then came a moment of stupidity as Drogba saw red for slapping Vidic in the face after an altercation involving Tevez knocking the ball out for a innocuous throw in after Chelsea had put it out in response to a United player down injured.
Chelsea only had themselves to blame, Untied couldn't make much of the numerical advantage and so the tension rose another level as both teams headed for spot kicks.
Ronaldo surprisingly was the first player to miss, his now trademarked pause during run up let him down as Cech stayed firm to palm the ball away. Now it was Chelsea who had the upper hand. Then stepped John Terry, Mr. Chelsea the man who suffered heart ache in three previous semi finals was about to have a fourth as he saw his spot kick hit the post. There were signs that he slipped but whether that had anything to do with it is anyone's guess.
And so they traded punches again before Anleka stepped up and saw his spot kick saved by Van Der Sar. It will be debated long after as to whether or not the best team won on the night but you couldn't deny United their glory. They have been an expceptional team this season orchestrated by an exceptional manager who etched his name in the history books as only the third British manager to win two champions league trophies.
For Chelsea this will be hard to take having come some close, yet they and the many fans decked out in Chelsea football shirts can only reflect on what might have been and pray that the team will have enough spirit to make it all the way next season.
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