Chelsea came in as the underdogs. Out of the Champions League, defeated in the Premiership, plagued by injuries with only 15 fit players including two goalkeepers. There was no Ricardo Carvalho and both Arjen Robben and Ashley Cole were carrying injurfies. Summer signings Andriy Shevchenko and Michale Ballack were both absent, so the outcome of the 2007 FA Cup Final favoured Manchestger United.

Detractors are sure to say that we play boring football, incomparable to the kind played by United throughout the season giving them the Premiership title back once again. Yet being able to withstand the challenge and  control opponents in a game that seemed destined to go to a penalty shoot-out must surely says something about the Blues.

It is also a fact that Chelsea were,until recent weeks, on course for an unlikely quadruple despite the absence of Petr Cech and John Terry for months, alongside an endless list of injuries.But again and again, it was the Blues' fighting spirit and big heart s that eventually landed them a Cup double. On the other, United's goalscoring is admittedly nothing short of wonderful. Beating their opponents by three or four goals in many matches wsas a reflection of their attractive football.

Even wshen the final was only halfway through, spectators alreaqdy decided it was boring. With no goals in the first half, people expected more from the second. Yet there was more disappointment and with few chances to either side it was no surprise when the game went to extra time.

Now the game opened up and Petr Cech put his safety on the line as he launched himself to save the ball from Wayne Rooney and, as Ryan Giggs volleyed back, he launched himself again tomake a double save. Later on, Giggs' attempt for another goal failed, and while the referee didn't see the ball cross the line, it should have been whistled for a foul.

In the absense of Carvalho, we feared that our defence would stumble and that United will sprint past our players and score. Yet Michael Essien did his job in the center, together with our talismanic captain John Terry, who couldn't have been more impressive in his defending, clearing the ball and saving us several times.