Torres, who enjoyed a fantastic debut season at Anfield last term scoring 33 goals in all competitions, had a slow start to this term by his own high expectations, scoring only once in the club's opening five Premier League games.

The 24-year-old has shown he is almost back to his brilliant best with a brace in each of his side's last two games at Everton and Manchester City and says there is more to come.

Torres believes he has been playing catch-up due to Spain's involvement at Euro 2008 where he helped them win the tournament with the only goal against Germany in the final.

"Me and the other players from the Euros started back in pre-season later than everyone else, and as a result weren't in the best physical shape," said Torres.

"Last year was very long for me. I played nearly 50 games with Liverpool and then went straight to the Euros. But I'm getting better each day and I'll soon be 100 per cent again."

Torres is also hoping to build on his success with Spain by helping Liverpool win some silverware this season.

He added: "It was a great experience and the first big honour I've won. Now I know how it feels to win something like that, it makes me even hungrier to win trophies with Liverpool.

"I came here for that reason and hope this season will be better than last year.

"I believe we can win the Premier League or the Champions League. If we did that, it would be fantastic. We have started well, so there is optimism.

"But I'd be happy with just 20 goals if we won the Premier League or Champions League."

Torres also revealed he dreams of scoring against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final.

The former Atletico Madrid man has yet to find the net against Liverpool's biggest rivals and he knows scoring against them would further endear him to the Anfield faithful.

Torres missed Liverpool's win over United last month and he is determined to get one over on the Old Trafford outfit.

"Every player wants to score against their biggest rivals. It matters so much to the fans and I know it would mean even more to ours if I scored against Manchester United," he said.

"Unfortunately I didn't get the chance this season. But I'm hoping I'll have an opportunity to do so at Old Trafford after Christmas, or maybe in the cup - or best of all the Champions League final.

"It was a little unusual for me watching the recent game against United but we won, and the most important thing was the fact we proved how strong the squad is."

Kaka Biography – Introduction

I'm writing this Kaka biography a few weeks after the 2006/2007 Champions League final, a final ending with a happy result, 2-1 for the Brazilian's team, AC Milan against England's Liverpool.

I must say, as impressive as Filippo Inzaghi (who scored both AC Milan's goals) was, my eyes were focused on the Brazilian Kaka throughout the entire match. His passes, his dribblings, his speed and his vision on the pitch were honey to my eyes.

I decided to write this Kaka biography not because the Brazilian needs it, but because I want you to find out who the real Ricardo Kaka is, how he rose up the ladders of his career before being a super star and what exactly does that "hands-up-to-the-sky" kaka celebration mean.

Kaka Biography – Early Career

After spending his early days at different youth clubs around his home town of Brasilia and Sao Paulo, Kaka was eventually offered a professional contract at a very tender age: seventeen.

Since Kaka played great soccer for Sao Paulo's youth teams, the reserve team and the Brazilian U-17 national squad, he immediately attracted the eyes of several European clubs, the one coming forward first being Turkish side Gaziantepspor.

Sao Paulo agreed to sell Kaka, for a sum of $1.5m, a sum that, if you think of the player's market value now, would seem like peanuts. Still, the sum was quite big for the Turkish side, especially for a 17-year old footballer, Kaka's young age giving them no guarantees that he will turn out to play great soccer regularly on professional level.

Kaka Biography – Swimming Pool Incident Sao Paulo FC

In his first season as a professional player for Sao Paulo, Kaka didn't play for the Brazilian team, but he used this time to accommodate himself with his new colleagues and the hardships of professional soccer in Brazil.

He was probably going to get his debut that season still, but an unfortunate swimming pool incident almost ended his career as a footballer, Kaka fracturing his spine in September 2000. Not only did he risk his future, but this fracture almost cost him his life and he was in real danger of being paralyzed for the rest of his life.

Miraculously, Kaka made a full recovery and came back to training after his full strength came back to him. From that day forward, Kaka found faith in God and some of his profits as a professional footballer always go to the Church, as a small gesture of thanking God for saving his life and his career. The famous Kaka celebration, after he scores a goal, is related to that incident, as each time, he thanks God for allowing him to play soccer and be there on the pitch.

Kaka Biography – Attracting the European Giants

After fully recovering from his horrible fracture, Kaka was finally given a chance to play for Sao Paulo, in January 2001 and he didn't disappoint, scoring no less than 12 goals in 27 appearances that season. This guaranteed him a solid first team place for the 2001-2002 season, in which he scored another 10 goals in 22 matches and whenever a young Brazilian soccer player performs that well, he's bound to get a few calls from some major European clubs.

One of these clubs would be AC Milan, one of Italy's most important teams and Kaka signed without blinking, eager to start a European career.

You probably know the story from here. Kaka is currently in his fourth season with Milan, whom he won the Serie A championship with once, the Italian Super Cup once, and the UEFA Champions League a few weeks ago (he also played another Champions League final in the 2004-2005 season, but lost it to Liverpool in what is considered one of the most beautiful finals of the tournament). He became an indispensable player for AC Milan but also for Brazil.

As a Brazil soccer player, Kaka scored 31 goals in 52 matches so far and gave out numerous perfect assists in his role as an attacking midfielder. Having the young midfielder in the squad, Brazil football became even more technical and quick (if that was even possible) and they're considered amongst the main favorites for the following international tournaments.

Shevchenko heads back to AC Milan

Shevchenko has long been linked with a move back to Milan

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko is to re-join Italian side AC Milan after completing a medical on Monday.

The 31-year-old Ukrainian cost the Blues £30m in 2006 but has failed to make an impact in the Premier League.

Shevchenko is AC Milan's second-most prolific goalscorer of all-time with 127 goals from 208 games.

"Chelsea have agreed terms for Andriy Shevchenko to return to AC Milan," said Chelsea's website. "Details of the agreement will remain confidential."

Shevchenko failed to earn a regular spot in the first team at Chelsea following his move to Stamford Bridge, scoring just nine goals in 47 appearances.

606: DEBATE Not his or Chelsea's fault it never worked out... its a chance you take when you bring in a player whos played most of his football in italy or anywhere else BWI

His first season ended prematurely when he had hernia surgery, forcing the striker to miss the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool and the FA Cup final.

New Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari did not pick him for their first Premier League match of the campaign last weekend, prompting Milan to launch the latest in a string of attempts to bring the Ukraine international back to Italy.

AS Roma and Sampdoria also expressed an interest but returning to Milan was always his preferred choice.

"For me it's like winning the Champions League," Shevchenko told Italy's ANSA news agency. "There were complications but now everything is resolved I'm really happy."

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani was overjoyed to re-sign Shevchenko.

"After a series of frenetic phone calls during the whole day, we reached an agreement with Chelsea," said Galliani.

"Tomorrow he will be in Milan, Monday he will undergo a medical and then sign a contract.

"We have managed to bring home a player who has scored the most goals in our shirt in the last 50 years."

Galliani had said earlier this week that talks over Shevchenko had stalled with Milan wanting a loan deal but Chelsea only interested in a permanent transfer.

The details of their eventual agreement remain confidential.

Andriy made a mistake in leaving and I think after two years he has understood that this is his home Milan chief Adriano Galliani

After buying Ronaldinho from Barcelona at the start of the close season, Milan had said they would not bring in any more players.

However, an injury to Marco Borriello, Alexandre Pato's stuttering form for Brazil at the Olympics and Filippo Inzaghi turning 35 have made the signing of another striker necessary.

"I have heard from Andriy about 48 times in the last three hours. Andriy made a mistake in leaving and I think after two years he has understood that this is his home," Galliani added.

"Now he has made economic sacrifices but at this point what counts is that he has come back to us."

Shevchenko began his career at Dynamo Kiev, winning five league titles and two national cups with the team between 1994-99.

He spent seven successful years at Milan, helping the Rossoneri clinch the 2002/03 Champions League 2003/04 Serie A title.

He was also named European Footballer of the Year in 2004.

However, he missed the penalty that gave Liverpool victory in the 2004/05 Champions League final.

The Serie A season kicks of 31 August with Milan due to host Bologna in their opening game.

Injuries seem to be have made Aragones a lucky man. It looks like Cesc is going to start. He has been forced to make the right decision and start Cesc Fabregas only due to the injury to Villa. Bad as it is to say it, Villa's injury was a blessing in disguise for Spain who were able to win the game due to the strength in midfield that Cesc brings. Not only that, it looks like Ballack might miss the final due to a calf injury. As it usually is, sometimes its better to be lucky than good...

If Ballack's injury keeps him out of the final, he will have never played in a major final for Germany. He missed the 2002 World Cup due to suspension, got knocked out of the 2006 World Cup Final in their semifinal overtime loss to Italy and now potentially Euro 2008 as well. May be just as well, because if he suffered through a repeat of 2002, it would be just too cruel. In 2002, when he played for Bayer Leverkusen, he lost the German Bundesliga in the last week and lost the Champions League Final to Real Madrid with a brilliant Zidane volley leaving him trophyless. That was followed by the defeat in Korea to Brazil in the 2002 World Cup Final. Fast forward to 2008 and the same thing could happen - Chelsea lose the Premier League title to Manchester United in the last week and then the Champions League Final by the width of a post. Ironically, the tournament Germany most deserved to win - when they were playing their best football - was the 2006 World Cup when Grosso and Del Piero's last minute goals in overtime knocked them out of appearing in the final on home soil. I don't foresee the Ballack curse changing tomorrow...

If Ballack is out, it might turn out alright for Germany. It might force Loew to have a three man defensive cordon to jam up the Spaniards. Frings, Hitzlsperger and Borowski or Rolfs to hold behind Schweinsteiger, Podolski and Klose. I personally think that Loew should use this setback to become more aggressive. Have Kuranyi join Klose up front and have Schweinsteiger, Frings and Hitzelsberger play behind the front three. Challenge the middle of the Spanish defense and it will cause Ramos to stay home more which will help slow down the Spanish attack. Keeping three in defensive midfield is going to result in death by a thousand cuts against the superior passing Spanish midfield...

The other side of Ballack being out - the height advantage is gone. Podolski, Hitzlsperger, Frings, Lahm, Klose (he can jump though) and Schweinsteiger aren't that tall. So in midfield and at the offensive end, Germany is going to have to win the battle on the ground during regular play. That's why dead ball situations are going to be even more critical...

Should Loew try another tactic and use Lahm at left wing and move Podolski up front to partner Klose? Lahm didn't really played that well defensively against the quicker moving Turks - Sabri undressed him a couple of times. If you move Lahm up front and have the quartet of Podolski, Lahm, Klose and Schweinsteiger free to interchange and attack, it will give Spain problems. Have Frings and Hitzlsperger hold and bring in Jansen or Fritz at left back. Lahm can drop back and help defensively but will provide more drive down the left if he plays at left wing. Podolski and Klose should be playing up front together where their movement will cause issues for Puyol and Marchena thereby giving Klose more room for the high balls. Just a thought, Joachim...

Very glad to see that Domenech is supposedly going to be fired and replaced by the man I had picked as my choice - Didier Deschamps. Domenech is Aragones' more arrogant twin - except he doesn't have the luck to balance out his lack of ability...

It was really interesting to see the same places I photographed a couple of months ago - minus the snow. It's quite astonishing to see how quickly the grass and trees recover after being covered in snow for months on end. The snow covered hillsides had become meadows filled with wild flowers and the cows were out to pasture, each wearing a huge cow bell which rang constantly. The poor creatures must be deaf with the noise. 

Our journey was not going to be a leisurely sight seeing trip unfortunately. We were booked onto a ferry leaving Barcelona the next day so we had a lot of driving to do in a relatively short time. We set off in drizzly rain and and drove to Geneva and then down to Lyon. This part of the journey was through a region called the Jura and the scenery is quite beautiful. I managed to take a few shots as we drove through the mountains and through many tunnels.

After that we headed down the motorway which runs down to the South of France, (called the Autoroute du Soleil - the Sunshine Motorway) heading towards Spain when we reached Orange and bypassing some wonderful places like Montelimar, Avignon, Nimes, Carcassonne and Perpignan. The weather did improve as we drove south but as we were in the car, it seemed a waste! Just after we crossed the Spanish border, we came to Figueras (which has a famous Dali museum) and we stopped for the night in a pretty little fishing village called Port de la Selva.

This was the night that my team, Manchester United played Chelsea in the Champions League Final in Moscow. I managed to watch the last hour or so, in my hotel room on Spanish TV (so no John Motson or Alan Hanson - every cloud has a silver lining) The match was very close and even after playing extra time, the match was still drawn. The penalty shoot out which followed was unbearably exciting and stressful - I could hardly stand to watch it. Luckily, we won and I expect my screams of joy could be heard in Barcelona. Oops! Sorry! Manchester United knocked Barcelona out in the semi finals..... :-) Anyway, don't let anyone say that we Mancunians weren't pleased to win the cup!

We were heading for Barcelona to catch a fast ferry over to Palma in Mallorca. When we reached Barcelona, after only getting lost once (and that was because we had a duff road map and the streets had no names or road signs - honest! Maybe it was revenge for the football) we just about had time for a quick lunch before catching the Sea Cat, so I only had time for a quick look around the harbour near the port. (Click on thumbnails for a larger image)

I have stayed in my friends' apartment in Puerta Pollensa many times and the weather has always been brilliant, so I suppose I was due some bad weather. Friday wasn't too bad. We did manage to sit in the sun for a while but the three days after that were awful - very unseasonal rain, high winds and storms.

Having said that, I saw THE most amazing thunderstorm which happened whilst there was a spectacular red sunset. Even after many efforts, I didn't manage to get a photograph of the lightning but shortly after I took this shot there was a HUGE bolt of forked lightning. With the building site in the foreground, this photograph reminds me of Mordor in 'Lord of the Rings' :-)

I arrived back in the UK yesterday after our grey, wet week to rain, rain and more rain. Marvellous. Welcome home.  

Grant arrived at Chelsea last summer from Premier League rivals Portsmouth as director of football, a move which did not please then Blues boss Jose Mourinho. After an indifferent start to the season, the popular and media pleasing Mourinho was axed after a 1-1 home draw with Rosenborg in the Champions League, and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy placed Grant in charge.

It was a decision which didn't go down well with the fans as, not only did they adore Mourinho, the self styled "special one" who brought the club 2 league titles, they were rightly concerned at Grant's limited managerial experience.

His first game was a daunting trip to Old Trafford and a 2-0 defeat by Manchester United wasn't the perfect start, though they weren't helped by the red card issued to midfielder Jon-Obi Mikel. After that though, Chelsea embarked on a 16 game unbeaten run which saw them through to the last 16 of the Champions League, quarter final of the Carling Cup and back up the Premier League table.

Although his public demeanour was perhaps duller than Mourinho's was, he set Chelsea out to play in a more attacking sense than Mourinho did, who focused on a solid defence. This was evident in a 6-0 drubbing of Manchester City, who were then flying in 3rd place, and the 3-2 defeat of Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League semi final. Added to that thrilling 4-4 draws with Aston Villa and Tottenham then the entertainment value was there. Certainly more so for a neutral than what Mourinho's sides produced.

But, ultimately, Mourinho's teams won trophies, which is where the Israeli failed. He came in for fierce criticism following the Carling Cup final loss to Tottenham, who dominated Chelsea for long periods. Then his team suffered the embarassment of FA Cup defeat at Barnsley, who had also shocked Liverpool.

Crucial dropped points in draws at home to the likes of Wigan and Everton, where Chelsea lost very late goals, ultimately cost them the title but from a seemingly impossible position which I stated after that Wigan game, they defeated Manchester United and took the title race down to the last day and marched to their first Champions League final. But Chelsea missed out on both, leaving them with nothing to show for their efforts.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said in the aftermath of Grant's departure: "We have very high expectations at Chelsea and a couple of second place finishes is just not good enough for us.

"So although it was an excellent season, we are still disappointed."

Now, of course they are entitled to be disappointed. However, this is where football as we know it is going down the swanny in front of us. Chelsea before Roman Abramovich took over were a decent side. Regular qualifiers for Europe, winning the occasional trophy. But since the Russian has invested an obscene amount, they demand instant success. They have had some, but even reaching the final of Europe's elite tournament and almost snatching the title from the dead isn't good enough.

I felt its been a great season for Chelsea in the main and they were unlucky to end empty handed, especially in Moscow. Grant was given a near impossible task in trying to emulate the success of Mourinho, and I feel his sacking is premature and harsh after his achievements this season. He at least deserved to put his own stamp on them and take them into next season.

The foreign owners taking over at Premier League clubs and demanding success instantly is a problem. They don't know too much about the game it seems to me, they'll just think they can throw money at it and they'll get what they want. Thaskin Shinawatra at Manchester City, threating to sack Sven-Goran Eriksson after his first season there, where they finished a very creditable 9th, is another case in point. It's absolutely ridiculous.

I've said it before and will do again. Manchester United and Arsenal didn't achieve the success they have by hiring and firing all the time. Sir Alex Ferguson has been in charge of United since 1986, and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal since 1996. Sure, they have gone through trophyless seasons but the United and Arsenal boardrooms know what great managers they are and always have faith in them.

If the Chelsea board had done that, then perhaps Grant could've delivered trophies next term. 8 months is not time enough to judge, and certainly not given he led Chelsea to their first Champions League final, ultimately decided on a lottery. Even axing Mourinho, after the success he'd brought was ridiculous simply because they'd had a sticky start to the season.

I feel he can leave with his head held high. The question for Chelsea is, who next? Frank Rijkaard seems to be the bookies choice, but we shall have to wait and see what happens.

Monday 19th May 2008. The week was kicked-off with a Champions League final poll, and we wondered if Ronaldinho was on Glenn's list of potential targets.

Tuesday 20th May 2008. On Tuesday we warned QPR off all of our transfer targets and revealed my new shopping list, and found out that Burnley had made a move for Scunthorpe's Martin Paterson.

Wednesday 21st May 2008. On Wednesday we marvelled at the news of Ipswich's new sponsor, we revealed that 64% of people thought that Manchester United would win the Champions League and I previewed the biggest club game of the year.

Thursday 22nd May 2008. On Thursday I congratulated Man Utd, kicked-off the Championship Play-Off Final poll and I ran the rule over Maceo Rigters, David Bell and Wes Hoolahan.

Friday 23rd May 2008. On Friday Thomas Rooney had a look at how England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 could be a blessing in disguise, celebrated the fact that Mark Fotheringham had signed a new contract and wondered whether we'd rather see Leeds or Doncaster in the Championship.

Saturday 24th May 2008. Saturday was a busy day. We previewed the Championship Play-Off Final, got annoyed with some Ipswich journalists, congratulated Joe Lewis on being called into the England squad and displayed shock that Chelsea sacked Avram Grant.

Sunday 25th May 2008. On Sunday we wondered if Ronaldo is the best player in the world and welcomed Doncaster into the Championship.

On Thursday, May 22nd, Katie White and Jules De Martino of The Ting Tings were interviewed by ITV London News prior to their gig at the soon-to-be-closed London Astoria.

Quite a few topics were discussed in the interview, which runs at about eight minutes. White and De Martino discussed their influences and the history of the band, including the role that MySpace played in their success and how they got their start by playing house parties. In addition, they talked about their displeasure at the closing of the London Astoria, the summer festivals that they are playing this year, and the Champions League Final, which had been played the night before the interview, and was won by the Greatest Soccer Team of All Time, Manchester United (of course!). De Martino also revealed that he wears sunglasses on stage due to his sensitivity to light.

To watch the interview, go to http://www.itvlocal.com/london/whatson/?void=192072.

For additional information on The Ting Tings, go to:
http://www.thetingtings.com
http://www.myspace.com/thetingtings

Unfortunately i do not get the videos embedded from youtube. All the videos are copyrighted and have been claimed by UEFA and therefore have been removed. i have a video of the highlights but my internet speed for the upload(128kbps) is too slow.

Here is the link to watch some highlights.

and here is the link to watch the the trophy celebrations.

Needless to say, this recollection of events is completely inaccurate! What really happened was far from peaceful. Firstly, we squeezed in 2 pints a half for the game and extra time and (amazingly) penalties. Then, swept up in the furore of a united win, we went to the bar-on a mission. Apparently we stood at the bar for about 15 minutes and had somewhere between 5 and 10 shots of tequila each. Then we started beating the shit into one another* before stumbling into the street and nearly getting hit by a bus. Concerned bar staff dragged us back in where we had some more to drink before falling asleep upstairs, me lying flat on my back with my mouth wide open and him face flat buried in a table(apparently, there are pictures). We were then rudely awakened and told to go home at about 2am-another classic family outing.

*as we're both emotionally paralysed this is about an expressive a form of affection we can muster. It happens with shocking regularity but is always done with a smile(no really, it is)

YES! Man Utd have done it!!! The boys beat Chelsea after a penalty shootout and win the European Champions League trophy after a lengthy match. It ended 1-1 after full time and went on to extra time and finally settled it on a penalty shootout. I'm freaking high since we won it early morning yesterday. Just rewatched the penalty shootout again and still could feel the intensity of the game. I'm sure all other United fans feel what I'm feeling right now and glad we come through and win it again after 1999 treble and fifty years after the Munich Air Disaster.

Class act by Manchester United. The players were led by Sir Bobby Charlton to receive the medals. Great to see Sir Bobby refused to hang the medal onto his neck opposed to Peter Kenyon who led the Chelsea team. Fuck off Chelsea! They really acted like thugs during the whole match. Drogba and Mr Chelsea John Terry are fucking disgrace. Again, Drogba proved it he's an arse hole and what Terry did to Tevez doesn't deserved to be a captain at all. Hope Capello will have a look at what a person Terry is. Bloody fuckers.

*Cheers to the fans who made it to Moscow to support the team

*Sorry, can't help it

I think it was good game but I would have wished to see another international team in the final. It simply adds some international atmosphere and I think that is what an international european cup is about. But hey, two top teams made it to the final and that is allright. The game had its up and downs, both teams played on a high technical level and both teams had their chances. I love it when a soccer match offers some twist and I think this is what made it a good game yesterday. I am not sure though whether Didier Drogba (see video on youtube) should have gotten that red card but that is live. I somehow thought that Chelsea deserved to win that cup, I mean they were close to it in the previous years but never as close as yesterday. Missing the penalty kick must have been pretty devasting for Terry. I wouldnt have wanted to be at his place at this moment. On the other side Christiano RonaldoXX did not made his shot neither, he played a really good match I have to say, even though I do not like him that much. After all it was a good game and someone has to win. To my point of view no team was able to dominate the other over a longer period (see also the statisitics of the match) of time and so I guess the result is fair in some way. Though it must have been quite a lot of an emotional rollercoaster for the Chelsea Fans. I just told my girlfriend before Terry shot "he should aim right" Van der Sar is bluffing. To bad Terry did not hear me.

What do we learn from it? Live is not always fair and it aint over before its over

What do you think about the result? 

Oh ESPN, my sweet retarded bringer of the sports games, how much do you hate me? I was trying to watch your gorgeous HD picture of the Champions League final. My desire to watch Cristiano Ronaldo preen in all his ridiculous metrosexual glory was marred by your disgusting presentation. It's like you don't think anyone watches the HD feed of your broadcast. Your score graphics are mispositioned on the screen to close to the top middle. Your promo graphics are giant blocks that covered up the ball on two occasions (You do realize Gol TV is out promo graphic-ing you right?). Most annoyingly you insist on running your bottom line gimmick for ESPN 2 during the biggest European club football game of the year. It is more annoying in HD than in standard definition (I know hard to believe) and reduces the effectiveness of your HD feed. Mark Cuban's HD Net presents soccer better than you could ever dream of. I thought you were the world wide leader? How does it feel to be schooled by 5 channels (with smaller budgets) when it comes to soccer/futbol presentation (Gol TV, FSC, Setanta, HD Net, Univision)?

It's like you haven't realized the internet has been developed (I hear espn.com is a pretty good site), or that ESPN news is just a remote click away.

ESPN=MORONS. Now thats great branding.

Yesterday was the Champions League final which United won on penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play.

Fortunately my boss was cool and didn't mind me coming in late (or drunk).

I had a great time at Ginger's though sadly this was probably the last time I'll catch a United match there.

-------------------

Edit - Click here to see Jon's photo's from the match.

And hey, Phil's the coach, what'd you expect. I wish he gets his ring this year. That'll shut all those who claim he could never do it without Shaq. And that'll give me hope that DWade can do so as well.

Anelka and Terry... What have you done? I mean this was one of the best games I've watched in a long time. Really! 1-1 before the break, and same afterwards until they had to go to penalties. And they both played terrific games. Man Utd dominated the 1st half, and Chelsea the 2nd. They both deserved to win at that point but I'm not gonna lie, I was rooting for Chelsea. First off because it's Drogba's team, though he really messed it all up when he slapped Vidic. Second, because Man Utd got my team kicked out (yes, I'm still bitter about Barcelona not making it!).

Ahhh... so Anelka and Terry missed their penalties, and there goes our cup. The Reds have done it again, though C. Ronaldo missed his penalty too.

Oh well, better luck next year, and we'll keep rooting for L.A. Hopefully, they make it to the end, WITH the happy ending.

I am struggling to find a collective noun for a bunch of filthy arrogant cuntish swine that the 22 men panel was made up of - perhaps 'a hideousness of players', or an 'arrogance of wank'. But they took to the pitch none the less. People always harp on about a great game for the neutral, but what self respecting neutral football fan could watch these two teams and not want a plane to drop mustard gas into the centre circle and put an end to their tyrannical reign.

There were moments where I laughed/shouted/hurled unchecked abuse at the television though.

Moment 1. John Terry's penalty.

Moment 2. Ronaldo's penalty

Moment 3. Anytime that little bitch Anderson moved and when he did his little dance at the end, i wished and hoped for a sniper to end his folly.

Anyway its all over now, and we have to listen to another group of bandwagon jumping, slackjawed coolock scumbags with their brand spanking new 08/09 Man U kits telling the world how they "we" will do the treble nest year.

I texted my mate JImmyJames after the game, he is a true blue, and this was his reply.

just got the wee man to sleep, he was devastated, wanted to know the meaning of life and everything, but just as be nodded off he whispered............"cunts"

My mate Kenneth Fowler who writes all of his rather excellent blog in lower case and all his comments on my blog in lower case phoned me at half time last night full of excitement because the Chelsea players' names on their strips were in lower case as had been both Zenit St Petersburg's and Rangers'. And, of course Zenit won - in lower case.

"That means Chelsea (sorry chelsea) are going to win" he predicted

Well, chelsea lost kenneth and MAN UTD WON. so that's the end of that little theory

In future could you please follow the English language code and post in upper and lower case on my blog. You make it untidy!

I tried to stay neutral, but as much as I do genuinely believe that United have been the best team in Europe this season I still wanted Chelsea to win the Champions League last night.

I can't help but think I jinxed them. Oh well, there's always next year John - but if I were you I'd invest in some sturdy footwear over the summer.

Well done United.

Poor Blues, they sure managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last night! And you have to feel a bit sorry for John Terry slipping and missing the penalty that could have won them the game. But then, the sentimental decision for him as captain to take that spot kick was not a smart move, and it cost them the trophy. The man was distraught!

I'll tell you who else is distraught - Sir G. He says he couldnt sleep, and had nightmares about that penalty line up =) Shame. But I don't feel too badly for him, his team knocked out mine in the semi's. Next year is going to be Liverpool's year!