Otherwise, teams matched up over course of game, the intensity was great. Some great play, some dirty, some just off, if penalties had to be, great for Giggs’ to win. And no excuse whatsoever for the pitch to actually uproot and move about — those who weren’t cramped were concussed!

As for Carvalho’s challenge, I’d somewhat controversally argue he won the ball first so had every right to be in there. He did get alot of Ronaldo afterwards, but at the end of the day where is he going to go after he’s got the ball? If your gonna have slide tackles thats always going to happen. He can’t really get out of the way. I’d argue its a free kick, but I don’t think he should be sent off by any stretch of the imagination – its actually really similar to Scholes tackle in the Juventus ‘99 game, and there was uproar that he was booked for that at the time.

I’d argue Man United did have very good chances – Giggs should have won it but for JT’s miraculous header, Carrick’s shot was rubbish, and right at Cech, and Tevez header was a half decent chance. The one where he slid across the line I’m not convinced about because I think even he thought Makelele was getting there and reacted late.

I’ve got no argument regarding the pen takers. I’d have hated Giggs to miss, if anyone deserved a winning penalty it was obviously him. The way he represents United is only the same as Terry does for Chelski though.

Rob – I agree with that. United should have won it in the first half, but then Chelsea should have won it in the second.

Yes, Chelsea had more ball posession in the second half. But they didn’t do anything with it. Yes, Ronaldo wasn’t as good in the second half, but perhaps Carvalho’s “Taylor”-esque tacle has something to do with it (it’s crazy, when you look at the replay, you realise he is not only much later than Taylor on Eduardo, but also higher on the shin, and that 9 months of vacation were only avoided because Ronaldo was nimble enough to jump before he was hacked to the ground). But Man U still had just as many good chances. Chelsea fans bemoan the two times they were denied by the woodwork, Man U fans were complaining they were unlucky when Tevez missed (twice) from very close, and Carrick and Giggs missed what should have been easy goals.

Oh, and two remarks : During the brawl, Ricky Carvalho grabbed Nani by the neck… And didn’t get sent off. Chelsea should have finished with 9 men, if not less (Carvalho should have seen red before for his tackle on Ronaldo, and when Makélélé was on a yellow card he elbowed Hargreaves in the face just three feet from the assistant…). Secondly, such contrast in styles in the last penalty takers. On one hand Ryan Giggs who has played all his life for Manchester United, who had won one Champions League after years and years of dedication, hard work and becoming an essential part of the team that won, on the other hand Nicolas Anelka, the most expensive player ever in cumulated fees, with already 8 transfers and 8 clubs in his wake, a serious attitude problem, and a Champions League won extremely early in his career, as a relatively fringe player who would leave the club the following season.

Both sides were incredibly well matched all the way through the season, and I think they served up some good entertainment this evening, I enjoyed it. Whoever lost on Pens was going to feel a bit unlucky.

No-one can complain about the result. As I say, even on the night but so was last year’s FA Cup final, and United dominated the FA Cup final 3 years ago and lost on pens.

United have shown that a club built around history and an amazing manager make the difference. Those are the reasons why players come to United, not to win the CL (coughBallackcough).

One final thought. Screw you kenyon.