How the Drogba call to arms inspired Blues to victory

Drogba, not skipper John Terry, was the instigator of the impromptu huddle on the fringes of the centre circle before kick-off and his wise words were the catalyst for their triumph over Manchester United.

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The Chelsea striker's extra-time goal brought glory in the shape of a 1-0 victory but his pre-match message united a team after a turbulent season.

Terry revealed: "Didier called everyone together before the game for a huddle and a speech. It was a great speech for before the match.

"He said: 'I'm nervous, everybody's nervous, we are all feeling the same, but one thing's for sure, we're going to fight and give everything for every player'.

"As he did that, he looked everyone in the eye and he touched quite a lot of people. It did us a lot of good. I didn't know he was going to do that, he just called everyone together.

"Then he said he was going to fight, no matter what. You can't ask for more than that. He's been unbelievable. He's a great leader and not just on the pitch."

While Terry led the celebrations at the final whistle with the rest of Chelsea's jubilant players, Drogba sprinted down the Wembley tunnel for a special moment with his manager.

Mourinho took off at the end and headed to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms to phone to his wife, who has returned to Portugal with the now infamous Yorkshire terrier, and his two children. But Drogba persuaded the Chelsea chief to return to join in with the celebrations.

Drogba admitted last week that he was tempted by the prospect of joining AC Milan last summer after a fraught season under Mourinho, but the striker spoke of a special bond between the pair after he scored his 33rd goal of a hugely rewarding season.

The Ivory Coast striker said: "Jose Mourinho means a lot to me and, together with Roman Abramovich, they are the reason I am here.

"They gave me the chance to come to Chelsea. I have to say thanks to them and that's why I wanted to speak to him."

Drogba's winning strike, which finished off a sweet move that involved Mikel John Obi and Frank Lampard, was his most important goal for the club.

It came after 116 minutes and ended United's dreams of completing the Double. But victory was just as vital for Chelsea after heartbreak in the Champions League, where they lost in the semi-finals to Liverpool, and the Premiership, where they finished runners-up to Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

Drogba added: "There were so many emotions when I scored that goal. I don't think we will realise what we have achieved. Maybe we will do after a few years.

"It was a great game in a fantastic stadium and I am very happy because we won it. Finals are always good when you win.

"Our spirit has always been there. It is difficult to lose a Champions League semi-final and then we came up against the Premiership champions in an FA Cup Final just a couple of weeks later."

Although the game will not be remembered as a classic, Chelsea's victory is the sixth trophy the club have lifted under Mourinho's stewardship if you count the Community Shield.

The Champions League remains the holy grail, particularly for their billionaire benefactor Abramovich, but winning the FA Cup to add to their Carling Cup triumph in February is a fitting end to the season for Chelsea's weary players.

Frank Lampard said: "The game was hard because of the huge amount of pressure which was placed on us after everything that has happened this season.

"Many people would have enjoyed the prospect of Chelsea spending many millions and only winning the Carling Cup, but that's the reality of playing for Chelsea.

"We showed that regardless of money, we are a strong bunch of characters. I think we should be happy with two cups.

"If you want to disrespect these competitions then you shouldn't be in football. The Carling Cup is the first trophy of the year and we have great experience of it.

"The FA Cup is outstanding and we haven't won that under Mourinho until now. This is the competition I grew up on and dreamed of winning. You can't take the credit away from winning the cup double."