José Mourinho’s Chelsea FC Blues held the Carling Cup, otherwise known as the League Cup for the fourth time in club history. Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger’s young squad had a brilliant beginning, but ended sourly after Chelsea FC came from behind to raise in arms a much desired Cup. Ivorian Didier Drogba scored two excellent goals to win an outstanding match that ended in disturbing incidents.
Captain John Terry had to receive oxygen treatment and was hauled off in a stretcher wearing a neck brace after an accidental clash with Abou Diaby in the 58th minute. Diaby went to clear the ball and ended up kicking Terry who was on the try for a header. During the stoppage to attend to Terry a mêlée began to bubble to the surface, later it led to three players being sent off. Gunner’s Captain Kolo Toure and substitute Emmanuel Adebayor scuffled with Chelsea sub Mikel.
As a consolation to Terry and Chelsea, there is winning the Cup, but unfortunately Chelsea has an important schedule that they would appreciate having their enigmatic skipper around for; luckily he’s been reported as fine.
Terry was leading the way on Chelsea’s charge for victory after Arsenal made an early go at it in the 12th minute. Crisp passing and swift moves gave Arsenal a much deserved lead through 17 year old English winger Theo Walcott. He traded passes with midfield Abou Diaby and swept a 12 yard shot into the top corner of the goal box.Chelsea, playing in a low gear compared to their opponents the running Gunners, drew level in the 20th minute when Michael Ballack crossed a ball over the top of the defense and into the path of Didier Drogba, who could have been called offside but was cunning enough to sprint on and slide the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper Manuel Almunia.
The equalizer brought Arsenal to a screeching halt and broke all stied for a while and Chelsea grew more full hearted. After the interval the Gunners were back on top though and could have taken the lead three minutes into the second half. Diaby’s English filled curling shot was saved in a feline like move by keeper Petr Cech.
Fabregas then bounced off a cross shot on the foot of the far post at the 51st minute with an agonizing run and shot. Then Diaby crashed violently with John Terry. The game was suspended for a period of 5 minutes when Terry was kicked in the face by Abou when the central defender made an attempt to reach a dangerous corner kick by Arjen Robben in on a substitution.
When game play was resumed Chelsea created pressure on Arsenal and on keeper Almunia. Drogba, again had another goal stopped when he drove in on an angle and was denied in the 68th minute. Midfielder Frank Lampard drilled a ferocious 25 yard shot that bounced off the top crossbar in the 74th minute, but it was not until ten minutes later that Drogba drained a glance header into the far post on an Arjen Robben inch perfect cross. With time running out the above mentioned squabble broke out and referee Howard Webb consulted with the sidelines’ referee. He carded the three and was a disappointing end to what had been a dazzling match. This was the first ever all London club match in the history of 47 years of the Carling (League) Cup.
