CHELSEA won the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley yesterday, denying Manchester United the classic league and cup Double in a dramatic extra-time finish. Didier Drogba settled it with his 33rd goal of the season after 116 minutes. Just as it seemed a poor match was going to go to penalties, Drogba exchanged passes with Frank Lampard and lifted the ball over Edwin van der Sar to set the new stadium reverberating to the strains of Blue is the Colour.

After an extended build-up that went on for four hours, the final was a major disappointment in terms of the quality of its football. The best two teams in the country they may be, but neither played up to their potential and as a spectacle it was one of the poorest finals in recent memory, rivalling Arsenal’s tedious smash and grab at United’s expense two years ago.

Chelsea celebrated with more style than they played, although Drogba had to charge off the pitch at the end in pursuit of Jose Mourinho who, bizarrely, raced down the tunnel at the final whistle. When he was persuaded to reappear, he climbed the 107 steps to the new Royal Box signalling six with his fingers to the blue-clad fans. This was a typically extravagant reference to the half-dozen trophies he has won in his three years at Stamford Bridge.

Roman Abramovich, the employer with whom the manager has had a strained relationship this season, saluted this latest achievement along with the rest of Chelsea’s capering following, but it remains to be seen whether he is satisfied with an FA and Carling Cup double. His preference, and Mourinho’s, would have been the Premiership and European Cup. United are left with “only” the league title, but Sir Alex Ferguson has declared himself happy enough with that - for now.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admitted the ball had crossed his goalline when he was challenged by Ryan Giggs during the first period of extra time. Giggs forced him over when he had the ball in his grasp, but referee Steve Bennett waved play on. “It was behind the line,” Cech said, “but it would have been a foul anyway.”

Cech also felt winning the cup was some consolation after the disappointment in Europe and the Premiership title race. “I’ve heard a lot about the FA Cup and this feeling is amazing,” he said. “We lost a semi-final [Champions League] on penalties and we lost the Premiership at the last moment so this cup is a real achievement.”

Mourinho - who said he ran down the tunnel to phone his children, who could not be at Wembley - said his players deserved the cup and added: “The victory is for them and for the supporters.”

Ferguson felt fatigue was a key factor in his side’s defeat. “There was nothing between the two teams - neither deserved to lose or win and it is disappointing we have lost,” he said.

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