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On Sunday, the Carling cup final was played at Cardiff’s Millenium stadium. Contested between Arsenal and Chelsea, to say it was a hard fought and exciting match is somewhat of an understatement.

The game started genially enough with both sides playing their normal attractive football. In the 16th minute, 17 year old Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the lead by ghosting around Ricardo Carvalho and deftly slotting the ball home. Arsenal’s advantage only lasted 6 minutes though before Chelsea’s on form Didier Drogba snatched a goal after being given the benefit of the doubt and judged onside. To me it did look like offside, with only a defender Manuel Almunia’s leg possibly saving the goal from being disallowed. Until half time, Arsenal looked the better side, with their inexperienced young team asking questions of Chelsea’s expensive all star cast.

In the second half, the game levelled out into a midfield tussle, with few chances at either end. Then the scary moment that has been pictured in all UK newspapers over the last two days happened. John Terry, the Chelsea and England defender and captain came up for an Arjen Robben corner. Unfortunately the only thing that made contact with his head was the boot of Diaby as he tried to clear the ball. Terry fell to the ground and immediately started shaking. He looked unconscious and both medical teams came on the field to treat him. He was given oxygen before eventually being stretchered off the field with his head kept in place by a brace for fear of further injury.

Terry’s absence seemed to inspire the blues and they upped their game in the last 20 minutes. Drogba had a shot saved and Lampard produced an excellent long range swerving shot that beat the goalie but hit the crossbar. The deadlock was broken in the 84th minute by man of the moment Drogba after he skilfully headed home an Arjen Robben cross to put the game out of Arsenal’s reach.

In the 11 minutes of extra time, the anger and passion of the day finally spilled out when Obi and Toure’s innocuous encounter turned into an all out brawl with players from both sides getting involved. Eventually managers Wenger and Mourinho came on to the pitch and everything calmed down. This resulted in Toure, Adebayor and Mikel being sent off and the game mellowed as Chelsea hung on for the win.

That’s the first trophy of Chelsea’s season, but they are still in the hunt for 3 more. Terry meanwhile visited hospital and was checked over before being released, much to the relief of Chelsea and England fans.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Carling Cup Final, 2007, Chelsea V Arsenal, Match Report, Theo Walcott, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Frank Lampard, England, Wenger, Mourinho