Drogba 59

Chelsea completed their first-ever League and FA Cup double thanks to a trademark Didier Drogba free-kick just under an hour into a remarkable FA Cup Final.

The Blues’ victory margin over Portsmouth was narrow. But the gulf in class between the sides was every bit as wide as the EPL table suggested.

Chelsea struck the frame of the goal five times in an amazing first half, Salomon Kalou contriving to do so six yards in front of an open goal. Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Drogba, twice, were the other players denied.

But Chelsea keeper Petr Cech made a wonder save on 22 minutes when Frederic Piquionne diverted Kevin Prince-Boateng’s shot towards goal from close range.

The pivotal moment arrived on 56 minutes when Cech saved Prince-Boateng’s poorly-directed penalty after Chelsea substitute Juliano Belletti felled Aruna Dindane.

Within three minutes, Drogba fired Chelsea ahead, his 25-yard free-kick piercing Pompey’s disintegrating defensive wall and going in off Pompey keeper David James’ left-hand post.

The Blues should have doubled their advantage on 87 minutes. Lampard was upended in the penalty area by Michael Brown.

But he dragged his spot-kick wide of James’s right-hand post, the first penalty miss in a Wembley FA Cup final.