Chelsea FC have lifted The FA Cup for the fourth time in six years and for the seventh time in the club’s history on Saturday. Roberto Di Matteo’s side won the final 2-1 against Liverpool FC at the Wembley Stadium.

Chelsea took the lead in the 11^th minute, when Ramires received a pass by Juan Mata, broke clear of the Liverpool defence and fired the ball past keeper Reina. Chelsea were the better side in the first half and things even looked better in the early stages of the second half.

Ivorian international Didier Drogba added a goal to his tally to give CFC a 2-0 lead in the 52^nd minute of the game. Drogba dragged his shot past Reina and into the corner of the LFC net.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish brought on Andy Carroll for Jay Spearing and the move paid off in the 64^th minute, when Carroll got rid of Jose Bosingwa’s challenge and fired the ball into the roof of Peter Cech’s goal.

Carroll’s goal gave LFC a new confidence and they found their way back into the game. Chelsea were put under pressure in the second half.

Cech secured his team the lead on several occasions and pulled a stunning save in the 81^st minute, when the keeper denied an Andy Carroll header its way into the back of the net and pushed it onto the bar. The LFC players thought the ball crossed the goal line and celebrated, but the match officials correctly spotted the ball didn’t cross the line.

Chelsea managed to withdraw from LFC’s pressure and claimed their first silverware of the season.

“Liverpool is a difficult team to play and we got a great result because after losing against Newcastle it was difficult for us losing at home but I’m glad we won. It’s the first step,” a delighted Didier Drogba told after the game to my colleagues at the BBC.

“It’s always nice to be in finals, disappointing in league but to come here and win another medal is an amazing feeling,” said Ashley Cole.

Roberto Di Matteo’s “men in blue” will be full of confidence now ahead of this season’s highlight set to take place at the Allianz Arena on May 19, when Chelsea and German giants FC Bayern Munich face each other in the UEFA Champions League final.

I will be offering EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE of the UEFA Champions League Finals (Men & Women) LIVE from Munich, Germany! Just LIKE www.facebook.com/cpd81 to get all the latest exclusives, news, interviews, pictures and videos from Munich!

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MATCH STATS

Chelsea FC 2-1 Liverpool FC

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GOALS
1-0 Ramires (11’)
2-0 Didier Drogba (52’)
2-1 Andy Carroll (64’)

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LINE-UPS

Chelsea FC
1-Petr Cech; 17-Jose Bosingwa, 2-Branislav Ivanovic, 26-John Terry [C], 3-Ashley Cole, 12-John Mikel Obi, 8-Frank Lampard, 7-Ramires (76’ 16-Raul Meireles), 10-Juan Mata (89’ 15-Florent Malouda), 21-Salomon Kalou, 11-Didier Drogba

Unused Subs
5-Michael Essien, 9-Fernando Torres, 19-Paulo Ferreira, 22-Ross Turnbull, 23-Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool FC
25-Jose Reina, 2-Glen Johnson, 5-Daniel Agger, 37-Martin Skrtel, 3-Sanchez Jose Enrique, 8-Steven Gerrard, 20-Jay Spearing (54’ 9-Andy Carroll), 14-Jordan Henderson, 19-Stewart Downing, 39-Craig Bellamy (78’ 18-Dirk Kuyt), 7-Luis Suarez

Unused Subs
11-Maxi Rodriguez, 23-Jamie Carragher, 32-Alexander Doni, 33-Jonjo Shelvey, 34-Martin Kelly

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MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee
Phil Dowd

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BOOKINGS

Yellow Cards
37’ John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC)
45’ Daniel Agger (Liverpool FC)
82’ Luis Suarez (Liverpool FC)