I'm fine thank you and you?

Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0

I wanted United to win. My Gran supports Man U. I wanted Chelsea to lose. I don’t like people who made money in dubious fashion by allegedly exploiting Russian oil workers, and Chelsea fans are annoying. I went to school in Pimlico, an area filled with Chelsea supporters, most of who were/are alright. It is the home-county middle-class fan that is most annoying. Typically found in central London chain pubs inebriated, sloshing Hoegaarden and spouting loud opinions about the price you pay for quality and how it must be depressing supporting a team like Crystal Palace who will “never” win the league. They do not get it (football and life), and can damage ones mental tranquility – avoid at all costs.

I shunned email and the football results for a day, watching the game in delayed fashion via computer. The picture was acceptable but commentary unfortunately came courtesy of the Tom Watt show on BBC Radio London. One of the things I do not miss about England is listening to this former soap “star” turned football pundit and his crew of presenters and reporters. Boring and annoyingly accented, Watt’s observations, irrespective of topic, invariably involve an Arsenal reference. Gary O’Reilly scorer of two famous Crystal Palace FA Cup goals, is the programme’s high point. He was not co-commentating on the Cup Final.

With regards to the game itself . . .

Paul Scholes, Michael Essein, Wayne Rooney, Paulo Ferreira, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Mikel John Obi, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand played well – I would have awarded ‘Man of the Match’ in that order.

Jose Mourinho showed he knows more about football than Sven Goran-Eriksson when he brought on Ashley Cole and played him in front of Wayne Bridge. On the couple of occasions that Sven attempted to “solve” “England’s left sided problem™” by playing these left backs in tandem it was always Bridge occupying the more advanced position. Cole’s buccaneering verve bypassed in favour of the honest perseverance of Bridge. Would Cole have fared any better on the left side of England’s midfield? I, and many others at the time, certainly thought so. Sven didn’t. Would Ashley Cole have provided a solution to one of football’s longest standing “problems”? Maybe, but we will likely never know.

The New Wembley looks nice.

As it has been previously, the “Dream Final” was nap inducing. In the words of a Japanese high school student, “I’m sleeped(sic).”