Michael Ballack made sure the dream final everyone wanted came true! Chelsea will meet Manchester United for the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley after beating a spirited Blackburn 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Ballack scored after four minutes into the second period of extra-time. Enough to give Chelsea the 2-1 win but the win was largely down to a man-of-the-match performance by goalkeeper Peter Cech. The first goal in fact came from a Cech's goal-kick. Didier Drogba bought the ball under control and lay the ball off to Ballack. The Germany captain then rolled a pass through the inside right channel. Blackburn's Ryan Nelsen's then made a stupid lunge at the ball which allowed Frank Lampard to nick the ball past him. One on one with Brad Friedel, Lampard had no problem hitting the net. Blackburn however kept fighting and deservedly got back on level terms. After winning a freekick on the right of the Chelsea area, up came the best free-kick taker in England, Morten Gamst Pedersen. The Norwegian's low delivery was driven home by Jason Roberts who managed to get in front of his marker John Terry. Cech then showed why he is the best goalkeeper in the English league. A Pedersen's long throw was back-headed towards his own goal by Terry , Cech reached backwards and clawed it away when it seems a certain goal. On came extra-time.
It was a total bored with almost no chances for either side. However, Shuan Wright-Phillips then made a great run across the field from right to left. He got to the byline, crossed and a there was a scramble for the ball. The ball fell to Ballack who swept it into the net. Game over and the dream final was on!
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