Chelsea defeated German giants Bayern Munich in the most dramatic of fashion, to win the Champions League for the first time in their history and cap off a wonderful season in European football.

The opening stages of this encounter were tight and tentative with Bayern dominating possession much as we had expected.  Despite Bayern’s early dominance Chelsea grew into it as the half wore on with the quick passing between Jon Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard freeing Juan Mata to express himself in more dangerous areas.

Although signs were positive for Chelsea they failed to create any real openings and only managed to register two shots on goal in the first 45 minutes. It was Bayern who managed to create the best opportunities and if it wasn’t for Mario Gomez showing the same form he did in World Cup 2006 they could have entered the half-time break with what one would assume was an unassailable lead.  

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first with one of the key features being Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole frustrating Bayern’s danger men, Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery. Bayern were struggling to find an opening and barring a few frivolous penalty appeal Chelsea look fairly comfortable.

The game looked destined for extra-time until in the 83^nd minute German international Thomas Mueller snuck in behind Ashley Cole to dispatch a textbook back post header past Petr Cech to send the Bayern fans in to raptures. The game seemed all but over….

However ‘Mr Big Game Player’ Didier Drogba had other ideas and with just two minutes left in the game he powered a near post near post header past Manuel Neuer directly from a corner to level the scores and ensure that entertainment would last at least another 30 minutes.

Football can often be such a cruel game and just a few minutes in to the extra-time period Drogba gifted Bayern the chance retake the lead when he bundled Frank Ribery over in the box the German side were awarded a penalty.

Robben look confident as he stepped up to take it however to Drogba’s great relief Cech guesses the right way and dramatically managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line and keep the scores level.

Bayern continued to pile the pressure in the second period of added time but the resilience of Luiz Cahill and the gang was too much and so the game proceeded to a penalty shoot-out.

I would try to sum up the shoot-out however I do not think that words can even come close to summing up events, all I can say is….. Somehow........Chelsea are the champions of Europe.