Manchester United
It was an amazing end to an all-English Champions League Final that had ended 1-1 after extra-time between the two teams that has dominated the Premier League in the last four years.
United took a deserved lead in the 26th minute. Paul Scholes and Wes Brown combined well with the ball sending cross the field for the unmarked Cristiano Ronaldo to plant a header past the stranded Petr Cech – the 42nd goal of an amazing season for the Portugal international.
The goal immediately led to the game opening up and, in the 34th minute, Chelsea almost equalized when Frank Lampard found Didier Drogba who headed the ball into the danger area where Edwin van der Sar was forced to make a smart save to deny Michael Ballack.
United should have doubled their lead when Rooney sent a low cross into the penalty area that Claude Makelele missed but the surprised Tevez could not turn the ball into the net.
Right on half-time, Chelsea were back in it. Essien’s drive hit Vidic and Ferdinand before bouncing obligingly across to Lampard, who clipped a left-foot effort past Van der Sar and equalized to 1-1.
The second half was dominated by Chelsea although, in the 54th minute, Ronaldo find some space for Patrice Evra but the Frenchman over-hit his cross and a good chance was wasted.
United almost grabbed the winner when Evra pulled the ball back for Ryan Giggs who seemed certain to score only for Terry to head the veteran Welshman’s miss-hit shot away for a corner.
In a feisty finale Drogba received red card and was sent off for stupidly flicking his hand in to Vidic’s face.
After extra-time, penalty-kicks begin and Ronaldo’s nervy third penalty for Manchester United was saved by Petr Cech and Chelsea took the lead.
Terry was one kick away from the greatest moment of his career as he stepped up to take his team’s fifth penalty-kick. All Terry had to do was put the ball in the net from 12 yards and the cup would belong to Londoners, but he misses the chance.
The kicks then went to sudden death and, after Anderson and Salomon Kalou had scored, Ryan Giggs coolly slotted home on his record-breaking 759th United appearance to make it 6-5. Source
