But on the stroke of half-time they struck level.

Frank Lampard, the subject of much speculation over his future this week, was the scorer after a speculative Michael Essien shot had cannoned off the back of Rio Ferdinand and fell into the path of the England man.

Lampard coolly slotted home to take the sides into the interval, level at one a piece.

Buoyed by their equalizer Chelsea came out much stronger after the break and really began to dictate the pace of the game.

The game was really spicing-up and one or two players can feel a little fortunate to have escaped punishment for appearing to lash-out with their elbows.

Claude Makelele was the culprit on more than one occasion for Chelsea and then Patrice Evra appeared to swing his left arm into the face of Joe Cole as referee Lubos Michel struggled to keep control of the increasingly feisty encounter.

And even the almost non-existent Didier Drogba eventually came to life.

Cutting inside from the right he curled a measured shot that evaded Van der Sar’s outstretched left hand before cannoning back off the outside of the post.

Chelsea then struck the woodwork for the second time in the game.

Frank Lampard was again allowed far too much space in the area and cracked a left-footed drive off the underside of the bar.

But chances were few and far between as extra-time wore on.

Then with a penalty shoot-out looming Didier Drogba got involved in a skirmish involving players from both sides.

The controversial frontman petulantly slapped Nemanja Vidic in the face and it was no surprise when he was ordered off. Carlos Tevez and Michael Ballack both received yellow cards for their part in the incident.

But with no further score it was down to penalties to separate the teams.

Ronaldo’s penalty was brilliantly saved by Cech and it seemed as though Chelsea were set to win their first European Cup.

Captain John Terry stepped up to take their final spot-kick but slipped at the vital moment and his kick hit the outside of the post.

Then after two penalties in  sudden death substitute Nicolas Anelka stepped up to level the scores, but Van der Sar saved to his right and United claim a historic double.




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Line-ups:

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Carrick, Hargreaves, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez. (4-3-3)

Subs: Kuszczak, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, O'Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre.


Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, J Cole, Drogba. (4-3-3)

Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Mikel, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Anelka.