Chelsea fans have enjoyed the greatest successes in the club’s history since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2004. Two big prizes have eluded them though-the Champions League and,up to this weekend- the domestic ‘Double’.
Now the Double has been secured thanks to a hard-fought victory over Portsmouth. The record books will show a bland 1-0 scoreline but that hardly tells the story of a match that refused to follow the script.
Chelea had been favourites to score a bagful of goals and they could easily have come in at half-time with a decisive lead. The Blues hit the woodwork five times in the first period including miss of the season- and possibly the decade- by Salomon Kalou from five yards out and no one in front of him.
Portsmouth battled hard but Chelsea seemed able to cut through the relegated side with some ease. The South Coasters clearly took heart though, because Avram Grant’s team came out after the break with a sharper approach and matched Chelsea for long spells.
The feeling crept in that this might be Portsmouth’s day and when substitute Javier Belletti rashly challenged Aruna Dindane, Pompey had a penalty. Unfortunately for their fans, Kevin Prince-Boateng hit a weak shot that Petr Cech saved with his legs.
As is often the case, Chelsea were in front very quickly after that let -off. David James had produced one excellent save to deny Didier Drogba’s free kick in the first half but he couldn’t reach another precise effort from the Ivorian.
The striker makes a habit of scoring in cup finals and though Portsmouth remained in the game they never really created another gilt-edged chance. The afternoon became notable for a second missed penalty when Frank Lampard of all people pulled his shot wide of the post.
Chelsea’s defence made sure that Lampard didn’t have to regret his miss. Michael Ballack might have felt justice was done as he was forced to leave the action after a late challenge from Prince-Boateng in the first half.
Chelsea have now won the FA Cup three times in four seasons and Ashley Cole has broken the record for winner’s medals, which has stood since the Nineteenth Century. The left back now has six in his collection- three with Chelsea and three with Arsenal.
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Leeds boss Simon Grayson is confident the team he puts out against Bristol Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday will get them over the finish line and earn automatic promotion from League One.