The entire FA Cup Final was full of surprises. We should have expected something different from this game, being a final, and it certainly delivered on that. Unfortunately, the surprise was the way in which the game was played. The pace of the game was slow, the refereeing was loose (some might argue bad), the scoring opportunities were few and far between, and aside from a few stellar plays from both sides, there wasn’t really much for fans in either camp to be excited about.
For Manchester United fans, it was apparent when the line-up was announced that we would see something very different. I expected to see the normal 4-4-2, but what Sir Alex Ferguson put on the pitch was something completely different, a 4-5-1 formation. This implied more of a defensive game plan, and that did no bode well for United who are known for their up tempo attacking style of play.
Starting 11:
Edwin Van der Sar
Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Gabriel Heinze
Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes
Manu took the kick off to begin the game, and the next 45 minutes amounted to both teams just trying not to make a mistake. The normal pace United set is fast and attacking, and what we saw instead was a tentative probing attack. Sir Alex and the players seemed to be looking for weaknesses to exploit rather than just playing their normal game and creating the weaknesses by aggressive play. All eyes were on the potential counter-attack. Both teams saw one or two good scoring chances in the first half, but by and large it reminded me of a tug-o-war with both teams dug in, not willing to take any chances to gain ground, but also not conceding an inch.
Both teams must have been disappointed by their stars. Cristiano Ronaldo, and Didier Drogba are arguably the two best strikers in the league. But both were nearly non-existent in the first half. Ronaldo more so than Drogba, as Drogba was able to make his presence known in the 22′ minute sending a powerful blast in on Van der Sar that went just wide.
When the whistle blew, the only surprise was the pace of the game. It was moving in slow motion, and unsurprisingly the score was still 0-0.
As the second half began, United made no personnel changes, but picked up the pace and we began to see more attacking. Mourinho replaced Joe Cole with Arjen Robben. Robben proved to be a spark for Chelsea, as they also picked up the attacking.
It became apparent that the normal flare and offensive support was not going to be had from Ronaldo, and Rooney decided he was going to put the team on his back and try to carry them to the prize single handedly. His first flash of brilliance came in the 47′ minute. A bad header backward by Chelsea just inside the midfield stripe saw Rooney steal the ball, and at full speed weaved left, then cut back right and unleash a blast from about 25 yards. Chec could not handle the volley cleanly and it bounced back out to an offside Giggs.
Rooney’s next chance came in the 56′ minute when he took a rebounded header from end to end. The play did not end in a shot, but showed his determination by beating the entire field, he was finally denied his shot when he reached the box and was herded out the back of the box for a goal kick.
In the 57′ minute, Giggs was the recipient of a great angling cross by Scholes to the far post. A better touch would have seen United ahead, but the ball was harmlessly redirected over the cross bar.
Chelsea’s first real chance came at 59 minutes when Scholes executed a harsh challenge on Frank Lampard just outside the right corner of the box. Drogba’s free kick went around the wall and went just wide to the right of Van der Sar’s near post.
The 64′ minute was United’s best chance to score in regulation time. Wes Brown, deep in his corner picked out Ronaldo 10 yards inside the half stripe. Ronaldo received the ball cleanly and headed it to Rooney just at the line, who took the ball down the left touch line angling toward the goal, in the box he split two defenders and was preparing to take his shot when he was met by Cech diving on the ball at his feet.
From here the game slowed again, with few notable happenings.
Ronaldo finally got into the game offensively in the 88′ minute as he weaved his way toward the box. His shot ended up being weak and wide right.
As time expired, you began to get the feeling the game was destined for a penalty shootout. Neither team seemed willing to concede a goal, nor like they could be inspired to produce one. Until two minutes left in the first extra time, Rooney sent a cross into Giggs who met it, albeit awkwardly, at the back post. Cech also met the ball on the goal line and Giggs momentum carried all three of them across the line. Either the referee, did not see the ball across the line or chose to ignore the controversial situation. Immediately Ryan Giggs and Alan Smith claimed the goal, but Bennett resumed play and awarded neither the goal or a penalty.
With time winding down late in the second extra time period, lightning struck as Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba combined for a brilliant pass and goal. The passing and finish were crips and first class as Mikel started the exchange 40 yards out with a pass into Drogba, who quickly tipped the ball to Lampard and made a run toward goal, where Lampard fed him beautifully. Van der Sar hesitated on coming off his line just a fraction of a second as the events unfolded, and could not reach Drogba as he flipped the ball into the net.
United tried their best to rally and score the equilizer. They put Chelsea onto their back foot, and had more than one chance to get it, but it wasn’t too be as time expired on Manchester United’s double.
