Lampard Lifts Champions League Cup for Chelsea

Chelsea were crowned Champions Cup winners last night, for the first time in the club's history, with a deserved victory over bitter rivals Arsenal.  Frank Lampard put the Blues on top in the 25th minute with a free header from the top of the six yard box.  Arsenal equalized 20 minutes later when Giroud picked out Walcott, who made a diagonal run in between the Chelsea defense and finished with a sublime chip over Petr Cech.  The winner came in the 70th minute when the semi-final's hero, Woyzeck Szczesny, palmed a tame effort from Eden Hazard into his own net.

Chelsea's manager, David Burns, set his club up perfectly to deal with pace of Walcott, who tormented Liverpool throughout the semi-final.  Burns' decision to have Ramires man mark the English winger proved to be the difference in the match, as Walcott was rendered ineffective and Arsenal created very few chances in open play. 

"I'm so proud of the way we played tonight.  It was tough for us to find our rhythm on the ball with the persistent fouling on Mata, Hazard and Oscar but we never gave up."

Burns also expressed his feelings on what it meant for him to see Chelsea legend, Frank Lampard, lift the Champions League Cup in what was most likely his final appearance for Chelsea in the GIMP. 

"Words can't describe how happy I am to see Frank score in the final and then go on to lift the cup with John (Terry) after the match.  He had a rough year and was forced to sit out so many games due to injuries picked up against this very Arsenal side.  He's had a great career with Chelsea and if this is his last game in the GIMP than I'm glad he'll have the chance to leave as a Champion."

Chelsea have now won the DFA and the Champions Cup, leaving the DFA Premier League Title as the only piece of major silverware the club is missing in its trophy case.  Despite making it to every cup final this season, Arsenal extended their trophy-less run another year and the fans showed their displeasure with manager, Adam Tindle, in the later stages of Champions Cup final.   The Gooners erupted into boos and chants of "we want our Arsenal back" and "you don't know what your doing" when play maker and heart of the club, Jack Wilshere, was recalled for the speedy Gervinho.  With Ian Thompson waiting in the wings, how much longer can a club so used to "sexy football" put up long balls, fouling and playing for corners?   




Burns poses with Champions Cup and DFA Cup ('09/10) before parade celebration Thursday morning.