‘Drogba scores record breaking goal as technology debate rages once again’
Chelsea 2 – 1 Liverpool
DIDIER Drogba was once again Chelsea’s Wembley hero as he scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the 2012 FA Cup Final just seven minutes into the second half.
The Ivorian netted his fourth goal in an FA Cup final as Chelsea survived a second half onslaught from Liverpool. Roberto Di Matteo’s team must wait two weeks for their chance at a cup double in Munich, but the second half of this game gave fans plenty to reflect on until the Champions League Final.
Liverpool felt they were denied a goal ten minutes from the end when Andy Carroll’s header ricoched off the bar and down onto the lines thanks to a world class save from Petr Cech. Replays proved inconclusive as the reds protested that the ball was over the line after Carroll met Luis Suarez’s back post cross, and despite piling on the pressure for the final thirty minutes of the game, there was nothing the Anfield club could do to stop Chelsea winning the cup.
Victory was special for both their manager and several of their players. Di Matteo joins an elite group of players to win the cup as a manager and a professional, and Ashley Cole claimed his seventh winner’s medal, his fourth for Chelsea in six years.
Liverpool can rest on their Carling Cup win, and will be looking to finish the season with two victories to end a miserable Premier League campaign as soon as possible. Chelsea, with fourth still in their grasp, will head to Munich in high spirits after claiming another FA Cup win, and possessing increased belief in their abilities after huge victories over Barcelona and Liverpool in the last fortnight.
Both sides made changes to their respective teams who lost home games in midweek. Chelsea starting line-up included both Frank Lampard and Juan Mata, leaving Didier Drogba to plow a lone furrow up front. Former Liverpool players Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles were left on the bench as was Michael Essien.
The Reds, victors over Everton in the semi-final, started with Jay Spearing in midfield and Steven Gerrard just in behind Luis Suarez. £35m striker Andy Carroll was left on the bench alongside Kuyt and Carragher.
Chelsea started off as slightly the brighter of the two teams and were rewarded for their positivity inside the first ten minutes when Ramires scored the opening goal. Lampard stole the ball from Jay Spearing in midfield and sent the ball forward to the Brazilian international who picked up the ball outside the area, brushed off the challenge of Jose Enrique and shot past Reina.
The Spanish goalkeeper will be disappointed with his rather weak effort which beat him at his near post, but that was the last thing to concern Chelsea as they celebrated the early goal.
Liverpool roared back almost immediately and Ivanovic’s weak header allowed Bellemy a free shot inside the area. The Russian was back to his feet in time to block the Welsh forward’s shot as Chelsea survived a scare. As Liverpool seemed to be finding their rhythm, Chelsea appeared content to let them have the ball and frustrate Suarez by leaving him isolated against two central defenders.
Gerrard struggled to get a handle on the midfield as Lampard and Mata controlled possession and helped Chelsea knock it around at their own pace. Drogba showed flashes of his mercurial talents, striking a twenty yard shot just wide before playing a one-two with Ramires in midfield which almost led to a chance. The midfielder was involved again as an excellent tackle from Agger disposed the Brazilian and removed some of the pressure on the reds goal.
Suarez’s only real opening of the first half came just moments before the interval when he headed just wide from a Downing cross. The ball was deflected into his path, but the Uruguayan was unable to steer the ball at Cech for a chance.
After the break , Liverpool came out much more determined by forcing two early corners, and being denied claims for a penalty when Gerrard thought he was blocked off in the area. John Terry had a half chance after getting his foot to a loose ball over the corner, but the ball bounced over the crossbar much to Reina’s relief.
The Spanish goalkeeper was soon busy again, this time picking the second Chelsea goal out of his net. Lampard fed Drogba after escaping the attentions of Spearing, and the Ivorian sized up a shot before striking left footed through Skrtel’s legs and into the back of the net. The big striker truly proved he is the man for the Wembley occasion, netting his seventh in seven appearances under the ‘new’ Wembley arch and strengthening Chelsea’s grip on the FA Cup.
Three minutes later, Liverpool decided to make a change, and the tide immediately swung in their favour. On came Andy Carroll to replace Spearing, and all of a sudden the reds found themselves in the ascendency. Downing helped give Carroll a successful introduction into the game, and when he blocked Bosingwa’s clearance and the ball fell to Carroll in the box. The £35m striker turned John Terry and smashed the ball past Cech to turn the game back into a contest.
At last Liverpool were finally showing some life, and soon the pressure was building on Chelsea. The blues found themselves clearing the ball out of their penalty area all too often as attacks started streaming forward. Carroll thought he’d equalised eight minutes from time when his header hit the crossbar and appeared to bounce down close to the line. Suarez’s cross was met by Carroll at the back post and unmarked he headed the ball goalwards. Cech made a superb effort to save the ball and flicked it onto the crossbar and the assistant referee confirmed the view of replays which showed that the whole ball had not crossed the line.
Terry had to intervene in the last second as Carroll once again had a shot on goal, but when Chelsea’s captain blocked the ball and as the blues cleared their lines the referee blew for full time. The Londoner’s celebrated appropriately by hoisting the cup above their heads.
Man of the Match: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Possession: 45% Chelsea – Liverpool 55%
Attendance: 90,000
The Ivorian netted his fourth goal in an FA Cup final as Chelsea survived a second half onslaught from Liverpool. Roberto Di Matteo’s team must wait two weeks for their chance at a cup double in Munich, but the second half of this game gave fans plenty to reflect on until the Champions League Final.
Liverpool felt they were denied a goal ten minutes from the end when Andy Carroll’s header ricoched off the bar and down onto the lines thanks to a world class save from Petr Cech. Replays proved inconclusive as the reds protested that the ball was over the line after Carroll met Luis Suarez’s back post cross, and despite piling on the pressure for the final thirty minutes of the game, there was nothing the Anfield club could do to stop Chelsea winning the cup.
Victory was special for both their manager and several of their players. Di Matteo joins an elite group of players to win the cup as a manager and a professional, and Ashley Cole claimed his seventh winner’s medal, his fourth for Chelsea in six years.
Liverpool can rest on their Carling Cup win, and will be looking to finish the season with two victories to end a miserable Premier League campaign as soon as possible. Chelsea, with fourth still in their grasp, will head to Munich in high spirits after claiming another FA Cup win, and possessing increased belief in their abilities after huge victories over Barcelona and Liverpool in the last fortnight.
Both sides made changes to their respective teams who lost home games in midweek. Chelsea starting line-up included both Frank Lampard and Juan Mata, leaving Didier Drogba to plow a lone furrow up front. Former Liverpool players Fernando Torres and Raul Meireles were left on the bench as was Michael Essien.
The Reds, victors over Everton in the semi-final, started with Jay Spearing in midfield and Steven Gerrard just in behind Luis Suarez. £35m striker Andy Carroll was left on the bench alongside Kuyt and Carragher.
Chelsea started off as slightly the brighter of the two teams and were rewarded for their positivity inside the first ten minutes when Ramires scored the opening goal. Lampard stole the ball from Jay Spearing in midfield and sent the ball forward to the Brazilian international who picked up the ball outside the area, brushed off the challenge of Jose Enrique and shot past Reina.
The Spanish goalkeeper will be disappointed with his rather weak effort which beat him at his near post, but that was the last thing to concern Chelsea as they celebrated the early goal.
Liverpool roared back almost immediately and Ivanovic’s weak header allowed Bellemy a free shot inside the area. The Russian was back to his feet in time to block the Welsh forward’s shot as Chelsea survived a scare. As Liverpool seemed to be finding their rhythm, Chelsea appeared content to let them have the ball and frustrate Suarez by leaving him isolated against two central defenders.
Gerrard struggled to get a handle on the midfield as Lampard and Mata controlled possession and helped Chelsea knock it around at their own pace. Drogba showed flashes of his mercurial talents, striking a twenty yard shot just wide before playing a one-two with Ramires in midfield which almost led to a chance. The midfielder was involved again as an excellent tackle from Agger disposed the Brazilian and removed some of the pressure on the reds goal.
Suarez’s only real opening of the first half came just moments before the interval when he headed just wide from a Downing cross. The ball was deflected into his path, but the Uruguayan was unable to steer the ball at Cech for a chance.
After the break , Liverpool came out much more determined by forcing two early corners, and being denied claims for a penalty when Gerrard thought he was blocked off in the area. John Terry had a half chance after getting his foot to a loose ball over the corner, but the ball bounced over the crossbar much to Reina’s relief.
The Spanish goalkeeper was soon busy again, this time picking the second Chelsea goal out of his net. Lampard fed Drogba after escaping the attentions of Spearing, and the Ivorian sized up a shot before striking left footed through Skrtel’s legs and into the back of the net. The big striker truly proved he is the man for the Wembley occasion, netting his seventh in seven appearances under the ‘new’ Wembley arch and strengthening Chelsea’s grip on the FA Cup.
Three minutes later, Liverpool decided to make a change, and the tide immediately swung in their favour. On came Andy Carroll to replace Spearing, and all of a sudden the reds found themselves in the ascendency. Downing helped give Carroll a successful introduction into the game, and when he blocked Bosingwa’s clearance and the ball fell to Carroll in the box. The £35m striker turned John Terry and smashed the ball past Cech to turn the game back into a contest.
At last Liverpool were finally showing some life, and soon the pressure was building on Chelsea. The blues found themselves clearing the ball out of their penalty area all too often as attacks started streaming forward. Carroll thought he’d equalised eight minutes from time when his header hit the crossbar and appeared to bounce down close to the line. Suarez’s cross was met by Carroll at the back post and unmarked he headed the ball goalwards. Cech made a superb effort to save the ball and flicked it onto the crossbar and the assistant referee confirmed the view of replays which showed that the whole ball had not crossed the line.
Terry had to intervene in the last second as Carroll once again had a shot on goal, but when Chelsea’s captain blocked the ball and as the blues cleared their lines the referee blew for full time. The Londoner’s celebrated appropriately by hoisting the cup above their heads.
Man of the Match: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
Possession: 45% Chelsea – Liverpool 55%
Attendance: 90,000
For the fourth time in six years Chelsea returned to West London after their Wembley day out with the FA Cup. The Blues controlled the majority of the game, but had to survive an onslaught from their opponents Liverpool in the second half.
Here’s how the players of both teams performed.....
Chelsea
Cech – Made a spectacular save against Carroll in the second half, and also kept out a late effort from the striker as Liverpool attempted to score an equaliser.
Ivanovic – A terrific block in the first half made up for his mistake against Bellamy which almost cost his team an equaliser. The Russian defender struggled to cope with the height of Andy Carroll in the second period, and playing out of position did him no favours.
Cole – Solid and dependable; Exactly what you would expect from the world class left back. He constantly offered a threat going forward, and completely nullified the attacking threats of Bellamy, Downing and Kuyt.
Bosingwa – Liverpool soon realised that pinning the Portuguese full back was their best chance of success. Unfortunately they were unable to do this until the second half. Going forward he was unable to provide much either.
Terry – The England defender put his body on the line late in the game to make a tremendous block, but he will be disappointed with the way he was turned by Andy Carroll for the striker’s goal.
Ramires – Superb for an hour before running out of steam and being substituted. He provided energy and a constant threat to a rather shaky looking Liverpool defence.
Lampard – Used the ball well from a deeper position without ever being a huge threat. The midfielder kept the ball moving forward into Drogba’s feet and provided good balls from set pieces.
Mikel – Helped to protect the defence in the first half, and was largely bypassed in the second half as Liverpool went more direct in search of a goal.
Mata – Awarded man of the man, but was a little less creative than he usually is. He linked up with Drogba and Lampard, but picked the wrong option after being tightly marked by Spearing in the Liverpool midfield.
Drogba – What more can you say about the powerful striker. He was barely noticeable in the first half, and exploded in the second. He scored his goal, and could have had a second with a volley minutes after. He was a complete nuisance to the Liverpool defence and deserved to score the match winner.
Kalou – Worked diligently to be an option on either flank as Chelsea took control. Doubling up with Cole in front of him helped neutralise Bellamy.
Meireles – The most noticeable thing about the Portuguese was that he got booed significantly after coming on as a sub.
Malouda – The French midfielder may only have touched the ball once before the final whistle.
Liverpool
Reina – Will be hugely disappointed to concede the first goal, and perhaps a wobble in the 2006 final had him feeling nervous as he almost spilled a sliced Ramires cross and left his goal open late on.
Johnson – Lost out in a battle of the England full-backs to Cole who looked far more assured defensively and offensively than Johnson. The right back kept Kalou relatively in check, but was unable to provide a telling cross late on when the opportunity presented itself.
Jose Enrique – The left back has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent players all season, but he lost out massively to Ramires when the opening goal was scored. The Brazilian’s pace seemed to have a troubling affect all afternoon.
Agger – Liverpool’s defensive pairing looked decidedly creaky in the first period and was untested in the second after Drogba’s goal. Agger kept Drogba quiet in the first period, but was mis-matched aerially against the Ivorian striker.
Skrtel – Beaten by a lucky bounce and the speed at which Drogba struck with his left foot, but seemed relatively solid throughout.
Gerrard – Unable to control the game from a deeper position, Gerrard cut a frustrated figure with every long ball he hit towards Suarez. When Carroll came on, he seemed more willing to join in and collect his knock-downs.
Henderson – Dreadfully wasted as a winger. Henderson is clearly not a right midfielder, and shouldn’t be deployed as one. He gave the ball away far too often and would have been much better being replaced by Gerrard.
Downing – Offered very little in the wide positions which would have contributed to Liverpool success. All too often he was unable to provide a final ball, and his lack of pace meant that he was not able to get past Bosingwa to trouble him.
Spearing – Gave the ball away for the opening goal, but looked more assured as the game went on. Spent most of the game close to Drogba and Mata attempting to cut out attacks.
Suarez – Hugely isolated before the introduction of Carroll. He was able to create anything for himself or find space between Terry and Ivanovic to get shots on goal. Managed to find space when Carroll came on, and put in the best cross of the match for Carroll’s ‘goal’.
Bellamy – Was unable to break free of the shackles of Ashley Cole in order to help Liverpool in the first half. Starting his first game at Wembley, there won’t be too many good memories for the Welshman.
Carroll – Liverpool’s best player when he was introduced after 55 minutes. Took his goal well, and was denied by an incredible save as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser. He provided the reds with an increase in balance, and offered Liverpool hope of a partnership between him and Suarez.
Kuyt – Liverpool’s Wembley hero in the Carling Cup Final had to deal with a place on a bench, and found it difficult to get himself a place in finals legend by providing a winning goal.
Here’s how the players of both teams performed.....
Chelsea
Cech – Made a spectacular save against Carroll in the second half, and also kept out a late effort from the striker as Liverpool attempted to score an equaliser.
Ivanovic – A terrific block in the first half made up for his mistake against Bellamy which almost cost his team an equaliser. The Russian defender struggled to cope with the height of Andy Carroll in the second period, and playing out of position did him no favours.
Cole – Solid and dependable; Exactly what you would expect from the world class left back. He constantly offered a threat going forward, and completely nullified the attacking threats of Bellamy, Downing and Kuyt.
Bosingwa – Liverpool soon realised that pinning the Portuguese full back was their best chance of success. Unfortunately they were unable to do this until the second half. Going forward he was unable to provide much either.
Terry – The England defender put his body on the line late in the game to make a tremendous block, but he will be disappointed with the way he was turned by Andy Carroll for the striker’s goal.
Ramires – Superb for an hour before running out of steam and being substituted. He provided energy and a constant threat to a rather shaky looking Liverpool defence.
Lampard – Used the ball well from a deeper position without ever being a huge threat. The midfielder kept the ball moving forward into Drogba’s feet and provided good balls from set pieces.
Mikel – Helped to protect the defence in the first half, and was largely bypassed in the second half as Liverpool went more direct in search of a goal.
Mata – Awarded man of the man, but was a little less creative than he usually is. He linked up with Drogba and Lampard, but picked the wrong option after being tightly marked by Spearing in the Liverpool midfield.
Drogba – What more can you say about the powerful striker. He was barely noticeable in the first half, and exploded in the second. He scored his goal, and could have had a second with a volley minutes after. He was a complete nuisance to the Liverpool defence and deserved to score the match winner.
Kalou – Worked diligently to be an option on either flank as Chelsea took control. Doubling up with Cole in front of him helped neutralise Bellamy.
Meireles – The most noticeable thing about the Portuguese was that he got booed significantly after coming on as a sub.
Malouda – The French midfielder may only have touched the ball once before the final whistle.
Liverpool
Reina – Will be hugely disappointed to concede the first goal, and perhaps a wobble in the 2006 final had him feeling nervous as he almost spilled a sliced Ramires cross and left his goal open late on.
Johnson – Lost out in a battle of the England full-backs to Cole who looked far more assured defensively and offensively than Johnson. The right back kept Kalou relatively in check, but was unable to provide a telling cross late on when the opportunity presented itself.
Jose Enrique – The left back has been one of Liverpool’s most consistent players all season, but he lost out massively to Ramires when the opening goal was scored. The Brazilian’s pace seemed to have a troubling affect all afternoon.
Agger – Liverpool’s defensive pairing looked decidedly creaky in the first period and was untested in the second after Drogba’s goal. Agger kept Drogba quiet in the first period, but was mis-matched aerially against the Ivorian striker.
Skrtel – Beaten by a lucky bounce and the speed at which Drogba struck with his left foot, but seemed relatively solid throughout.
Gerrard – Unable to control the game from a deeper position, Gerrard cut a frustrated figure with every long ball he hit towards Suarez. When Carroll came on, he seemed more willing to join in and collect his knock-downs.
Henderson – Dreadfully wasted as a winger. Henderson is clearly not a right midfielder, and shouldn’t be deployed as one. He gave the ball away far too often and would have been much better being replaced by Gerrard.
Downing – Offered very little in the wide positions which would have contributed to Liverpool success. All too often he was unable to provide a final ball, and his lack of pace meant that he was not able to get past Bosingwa to trouble him.
Spearing – Gave the ball away for the opening goal, but looked more assured as the game went on. Spent most of the game close to Drogba and Mata attempting to cut out attacks.
Suarez – Hugely isolated before the introduction of Carroll. He was able to create anything for himself or find space between Terry and Ivanovic to get shots on goal. Managed to find space when Carroll came on, and put in the best cross of the match for Carroll’s ‘goal’.
Bellamy – Was unable to break free of the shackles of Ashley Cole in order to help Liverpool in the first half. Starting his first game at Wembley, there won’t be too many good memories for the Welshman.
Carroll – Liverpool’s best player when he was introduced after 55 minutes. Took his goal well, and was denied by an incredible save as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser. He provided the reds with an increase in balance, and offered Liverpool hope of a partnership between him and Suarez.
Kuyt – Liverpool’s Wembley hero in the Carling Cup Final had to deal with a place on a bench, and found it difficult to get himself a place in finals legend by providing a winning goal.