Source: Telegraph
Chelsea Double winner Carlo Ancelotti proves he is special, too
The Italian banished all comparisons with José Mourinho with this historic achievement for his club but remained true to type last night even in the aftermath of a 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth, he was modest to a fault.[LNB]Ancelotti, who was congratulated by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as he left the Wembley pitch, said: 'I am normal. I am lucky. [LNB] Related ArticlesChelsea 1 Portsmouth 0'Undertaker' Grant departs with prideJohn Terry hails Chelsea victory in FA Cup finalChelsea-Portsmouth: player ratingsDouble joy for ChelseaWembley pitch farce resurfacesChelsea v Portsmouth: as it happenedChelsea's final act of passion playAnelka slams Grant in new bookChelsea v Portsmouth previewAt Milan I found a fantastic club, and I did not have a lot of problems in my job this year. I could count every time on the support of my club, my owner, my players.' [LNB]Mourinho brought back-to-back titles to Stamford Bridge, but in his first year Ancelotti stepped emphatically out of the shadow of his predecessor by seizing the Double with this determined win, sealed by Didier Drogba's 59th-minute free-kick. [LNB]Ominously, the Chelsea manager also signalled that his team would be ready to claim the Champions League, the one major title to have eluded them, without any moves in the summer transfer market.[LNB]'It will be one of our aims next season,' he said. 'It hasn't happened, but we will try. I think that this team has the quality to win the Champions League — without changes.' [LNB]Ancelotti was counting the good fortune in his career but acknowledged that he had never suffered the spectacle of his players hitting the frame of the goal five times in 45 minutes, as happened in the first half. [LNB]Kevin Prince-Boateng's penalty miss for Portsmouth was, he conceded, 'the key moment', allowing Drogba to respond instantly and set up a famous win.[LNB]The after-party promised to be long and very liquid but Ancelotti promised to show restraint: 'I will follow my players and friends. Wine and champagne. It is right to have a celebration as this team had a fantastic season.' [LNB]One rancorous note on a memorable day for Chelsea was provided by John Terry, who led the condemnation of the Wembley pitch. 'It ruined the final,' Terry said. 'It's probably the worst one we've played on all year.' [LNB]Avram Grant, the Portsmouth manager, distraught at his failure to beat Chelsea and so redeem a wretched season agreed. 'Wembley is supposed to be the temple of football; that is not the temple of pitches,' he said.[LNB]The Israeli refused to comment on conjecture that he would be leaving Fratton Park for West Ham 'that is the last thing I am thinking about,' he snapped and dwelt instead upon the fate of Portsmouth, whose team are almost certain to fragment.[LNB]'I must tell you it's a sad day,' said Grant, who led the club on a remarkable Cup run in spite of a nine-point deduction in the Premier League.[LNB]'It was a very difficult season but we needed to stay for one more week. It is a season I will not forget. I have won a lot of games in my life, but this was unbelievable. We were always playing against the odds.[LNB]'The future of the club is more important than mine. Anyone who wants to buy this club can see this is a big club. I hope someone will come and take it.' [LNB]Grant was again vehement in his criticisms of the Premier League for refusing to allow Portsmouth to try to qualify for next season's Europa League, due to their failure to meet the registration deadline. 'It's a decision I cannot describe,' he said. 'I think English football has shot itself in the foot.[LNB]'You cannot even imagine what has happened. A club in our situation reaching a final what is bigger than this? And the problems are bigger than you think. They have punished the players, punished the club. [LNB]'People don't need to be the victims of the actions of others. We did it, the fans did it, and we deserve to be in Europe.' [LNB]Such words, however, sounded hollow given the circumstances, long since drowned out by the Chelsea cheers.[LNB]
