Game on: Roman happy at last as Jose and Fergie stay in line for three showdowns

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Their 2-1 semi-final victory against plucky Blackburn Rovers means their Premiership game at Stamford Bridge on May 9 will now be followed by the Wembley showdown 10 days later and possibly the Champions League final in Athens on May 23.

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Saint Michael: Ballack (right) celebrates his dramatic winner with Drogba (left) and Lampard

Not even Roman Abramovich could keep away from the semi-final at Old Trafford as he ended his three-month cold war with Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea's Russian owner, furious at his manager's criticism during the transfer window, even boycotted the momentous but exhausting Champions League quarter-final victory in Valencia last Tuesday. But after Michael Ballack fired yet another late Chelsea winner in extra time, Abramovich sought out Mourinho for the hug that may yet signal his manager is staying next season.

Mourinho, tipped for a £15million pay-off despite the possibility of winning four trophies, said: "I have spoken with Roman. Did we have a hug? Sure. I told him congratulations, he said the same."

Jason Roberts' first goal of an injury-hit season sent the tie into extra time as Blackburn fought hard to cancel out Frank Lampard's 16th-minute opener.

Quadruple-chaser Mourinho, who already has the Carling Cup, said: "I wouldn't be sad to play United three times. What Chelsea and Manchester United are doing this season is unbelievable.

Strike one: Frank Lampard fires Chelsea ahead

"The game at Stamford Bridge is also a final for us if we still have a chance to be champions when we play.

"Sir Alex and I respect each other. We can't both be happy — if one succeeds, the other fails. At a charity dinner last year he told me 'an all-English final in the Champions League'.

"I told him I believed him. English football deserves that. We are the best league, the best football country."

Mourinho saluted goalkeeper Petr Cech for the saves that kept Chelsea in the tie, saying: "He is the best in the world and was immediately fantastic after coming back from brain surgery."

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, a former Chelsea striker and boyhood fan, said: "Cech was man of the match and that tells its own story. My players can be proud. Chelsea haven't had a harder game."