Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea's final flourish as Avram Grant suffers double dose of penalty pain
Unlike Lord Triesman, Avram Grant does not attempt a Dagenham accent when he delivers his impression of John Terry. [LNB]But he did offer an amusing version of what Terry might have said to Kevin-Prince Boateng seconds before the Portsmouth winger missed the penalty that even Carlo Ancelotti considered the key moment of Saturday's FA Cup final.[LNB]'He said, 'Can you shoot like I did in the Champions League final'.' [LNB] 2mins 25 seconds: Kevin-Prince Boateng (above) was made to pay the ultimate penalty for having his spot kick saved, when Didier Drogba (below) struck a sumptuous free-kick moments after[LNB] Grant got his laugh, and after losing out on a second major trophy because of a poorly executed spotkick on the previous occasion it was by Terry in Moscow two years ago it was either that or cry [LNB]SPOT OF BOTHERLet's hope Frank Lampard has got any wayward penalties out of his system. [LNB]The Chelsea midfielder, who had failed with only one penalty all season before Saturday, became the first player to miss the target with a spot-kick in an FA Cup final at Wembley rather than have one saved. [LNB]Or maybe he was trying to make Kevin-Prince Boateng feel better. [LNB]After the chaos of a disastrous season at Fratton Park, events at Wembley amounted to another kick in the teeth for poor old Portsmouth.[LNB]Chelseadeserved their victory as well as a first domestic Double in their history but spare a thought for the losers. Portsmouth must now brace themselves for the departure of Grant, the sale of their best players, asearch for a new owner and what could be a slide into oblivion. [LNB]Out of respect to Portsmouth, Grant would not be drawn on his expected move to West Ham. [LNB]'My future is not important,' he said. 'I will speak with the administrator in the next day or so and try to establish what is the future of the club. After that we will see. I am very proud of my players but I do not want another season like this.'[LNB]It was a sentiment not shared by Ancelotti. The Italian would like to deliver a first European Cup for Roman Abramovich sooner rather than later but if he was offered another Double next season he might just take it right now. [LNB] Incomparable: Jose Mourinho believes he faced harder opposition than Carlo Ancelotti (left) has done in his time as Chelsea boss[LNB]On Saturday night, he was asked to respond to the latest remarks made byJose Mourinho. The Special One suggested Ancelotti's achievement in winning the Barclays Premier League in his first season did not match his own at Stamford Bridge because the standard of the competition had dropped. That he encountered a Manchester United side that had CristianoRonaldo; that Arsenal had enjoyed their 'immaculate season' in 2003-04;that Liverpool had lifted the Champions League in 2005. [LNB]'Don't compare this Man United with my Man United,' he said. 'Don't compare this Arsenal with my Arsenal. Don't compare this Liverpool with my Liverpool. Don't compare this Premiership with my Premiership.'[LNB]Ancelotti has never been fond of 'His Specialty' but he was far too happy to bite. 'Please,' he said in mock protest at the line of questioning. 'I have a good relationship with Mourinho. Don't break it!'[LNB] Respect: Portsmouth boss Avram Grant has been hailed for the work he has done under trying circumstances at Fratton Park[LNB]Ancelotti's first season in English football is an impressive one whatever Mourinho might think. Chelsea scored a record 103 goals to win the league and they were worthy winners at Wembley.[LNB]It was an extraordinary game. So one-sided at times and yet so close. Chelsea hit the woodwork five times before the end of a goalless first half. [LNB]A first half that was also memorable for Salomon Kalou's glaring miss and the challenge on Michael Ballack that should have brought Boateng's afternoon to an end long before he proved not all Germans are good at penalties.[LNB]Albeit a German who now expects to play for Ghana against Ballack's Germany at the World Cup. [LNB]After the break came yet more drama. Boateng missed a 56thminute penaltyand so did Frank Lampard, although only after Didier Drogba had finallybeaten David James with a superb 59th-minute free-kick that struck a post before flying into the net.[LNB] Decisive: Didier Drogba (left) was once again the difference for Chelsea at Wembley[LNB]MATCH FACTSCHELSEA (4-3-2-1): Cech 8; Ivanovic 6,Alex 6, Terry 7, A Cole 6; Lampard 7, Ballack 6 (Belletti 44min, 5), Malouda 6; Kalou 5 (J Cole 70, 5), Anelka 7 (Sturridge 90); Drogba 8.[LNB]PORTSMOUTH (4-4-1-1): James 8; Finnan 6, Rocha 6, Mokoena 7, Mullins 5 (Belhadj 81); Dindane 7, Brown 6, Diop 5 (Kanu 81), Boateng 4 (Utaka 73, 4); O'Hara 5; Piquionne 5.[LNB]Booked: Boateng, Rocha, O'Hara.[LNB]Man of the match: Didier Drogba.[LNB]Referee: Chris Foy.[LNB]James was terrific. A timely performance in front of Fabio Capello, and one that surely sees him start against the USA on June 12. [LNB]Inspired by Grant, Portsmouth did have their moments. But 29 shots to seven pretty much said it all. Pompey battled bravely but they could not stop Chelsea winning their Double and Ashley Cole lifting a record sixth FA Cup.[LNB]For senior FA officials, the state of the Wembley pitch was probably secondary to the Triesmangate scandal that was about to hit the organisation. But Terry was right about the pitch. It was awful. And it is to the credit of both teams that they put on such a show.[LNB]Ancelotti was full of praise for his players, not least for their professionalism throughout the season. [LNB]'I never had a problem with my players,' he said. 'I never had a problem with the players on the bench. It was an easier season for me than normal , because sometimes I've had problems maintaining the motivation of players who are not playing frequently.[LNB]'It's easy to manage Chelsea because the club always support you and give you everything you need.' [LNB]The last word goes to Grant. 'Again penalties,' he said. 'Again.' [LNB] Good news Fabio Capello, Ashley Cole is in the best form of his lifePICTURE SPECIAL: Chelsea show off their pots as they parade west London streets to celebrate Double Captain Terry praises 'unbelievable' Chelsea but blasts Wembley pitchChelsea star Cole sets record for FA Cup wins after Portsmouth sunkChelsea chief insists owner Roman Abramovich will stay 'indefinitely'Didier Drogba settles it at the double as dignified Avram Grant leaves fans with good memoriesChelsea's final flourish as Avram Grant suffers double dose of penalty painCHELSEA FC
