The wait is over, the winner has been declared and it’s Manchester United who have got hold of the UEFA Cup 2008. Defeating Chelsea 6-5 on penalties, they’ve bagged the UEFA Cup for the second time, the last being in 1991.
The match was a very dramatic one, the score till the half time being 1-1. Manchester United got the lead in the 26th minute, thanks to a brilliant move which made way for a header by Ronaldo. But Chelsea too did not remain behind as an equaliser by Lampard during the 45th minute levelled both the sides.
The second half didn’t prove to be effective for any side as the score at the end being 1-1. The extra time also didn’t have any goals but it sure gave a blow to Chelsea. A quarell between Drogba and Vidi? during the 116th minute triggered Drogba to slap him, which then gave way for his dismissal. Since no goals could be scored during the extra time also, the match went further on to penalty shoot-outs.
The penalties were also very dramatic. A miss by Ronaldo led Man.u down by a goal. At the end, when Chelsea required just a goal to win, Terry missed the penalty, making way for the Red Devils to get back into the game. A final save by Van Der Sar decided it all and crowned them as the winners of the UEFA Cup 2008.
The penalty shoot-out -
TEVEZ SCORES Man Utd 1-0 Chelsea
BALLACK SCORES Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea
CARRICK SCORES Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea
BELLETTI SCORES Man Utd 2-2 Chelsea
RONALDO MISSES Man Utd 2-2 Chelsea
LAMPARD SCORES Man Utd 2-3 Chelsea
HARGREAVES SCORES Man Utd 3-3 Chelsea
A COLE SCORES Man Utd 3-4 Chelsea
NANI SCORES Man Utd 4-4 Chelsea
TERRY MISSES Man Utd 4-4 Chelsea
ANDERSON SCORES Man Utd 5-4 Chelsea
KALOU SCORES Man Utd 5-5 Chelsea
GIGGS SCORES Man Utd 6-5 Chelsea
ANELKA MISSES Man Utd 6-5 Chelsea
WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS.
