Drogba hands Chelsea FA Cup victory

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Among the biggest let-downs of a final where tired legs ensured there was no hope of lofty pre-match expectations being met by England's top two, Drogba produced his 33rd and final goal of an incredible season at just the right time as a penalty shoot-out seemed certain.

It was harsh luck on United, who were marginally the better side, but there was so little in the contest they could not really complain and the excellence of Drogba's finish, after playing an excellent one-two with Frank Lampard, was beyond debate.

United did their best to rally but after a draining season, in which they extended every sinew to finish champions, they had nothing left to give as two teams too tired to reach the Champions League final did finally fall on the ropes exhausted.

Despite losing so many key men to injury, Chelsea did create the most obvious of what could be classed as opportunities. Lampard's long-range effort skimmed the top of Edwin van der Sar's net without ever looking like going in it.

On the cusp of another piece of history, Ryan Giggs volleyed United's best chance just over after Paul Scholes had dropped one of his devastating bombs over the Chelsea defence.

Inspired by Arjen Robben, Chelsea were getting into the attacking spirit as well and after Scholes had picked up the first yellow card of the contest for upending Lampard, Drogba struck the outside of a post with his low free-kick.

Extra time brought more evidence of legs drained of energy, plus a moment of controversy as Giggs slid in to meet Wayne Rooney's far-post cross. The United skipper rose to claim the ball had crossed the line as Petr Cech clutched it to his body.

TV replays showed Giggs was correct, although if it had not been for him maintaining his slide to bundle into Cech, he would not have been.

Jose Mourinho could have had no complaint if Rooney had been able to control another inspired Scholes pass. Instead, not for the first time, Cech came to the rescue with a brave save which, in the end, was to prove so crucial.