Final proves Premier League class
Nobody in Moscow mentioned the 39th game, the now seemingly forgotten idea of taking Premier League matches outside England.
But in many ways the Champions League final was the 39th game, albeit a one-off and under Uefa auspices - and what a vivid demonstration of why the Premier League is so enthralling and watched by millions round the world.
I have now watched all three finals between teams from the same country: Real Madrid versus Valencia in Paris eight years ago was a Real celebration and too one-sided to be a great match; Juventus against AC Milan at Old Trafford in 2003 was so terrible that we could not wait for the penalties.
The only reason that match is remembered is that it was the first time Roman Abramovich had been to a match in England.
He liked it so much he decided to buy an English club and for good measure secured the services of Peter Kenyon, then with Manchester United, as his chief executive.
Wednesday night was totally different and we accepted penalties because that was the only way to decide this absorbing match.
Indeed, as the match progressed to the inevitable finale, I got a call from my nephew in New York, a Liverpool supporter incidentally, telling me how he and his friends were enjoying this display from England's top two.
Apart from the first 10 or so minutes, when I feared it would join the eminently forgettable FA Cup Final between these two teams last season, every minute of this match was enthralling. It ebbed and flowed as we expect our best league matches to.
That was made possible by the fact that the two teams play in such contrasting styles: Chelsea relying on the power and surges of their midfield, Manchester United on the counter-attack, swiftly launching raids from deep defensive positions.
It was Ronaldo who got this match going in the 15th minute with his trickery, Ronaldo who scored the first goal, and Ronaldo who provided the image of the match as he lay prostrate on the ground after United had won.
His head was buried in the grass as he sobbed, tears of joy which countering the tears of genuine sadness we had seen from John Terry as he cried on the shoulder of Avram Grant.
As we saw the Chelsea boss consoling Terry it was hard not to resist the thought that his failure to win, despite taking the club to their first ever Champions League final, may mean he will soon need consoling himself.
Talking of images, I wonder what exactly Sir Alex Ferguson was saying as the teams came out at half time.
Television viewers could see clearly that he was having a talk with the referee - or rather Sir Alex was talking and the referee listening - and this looked more like the Ferguson hairdryer treatment for the poor ref.
What exactly prompted Ferguson to talk like that we shall never know.
On Tuesday evening, Manchester United chief executive David Gill told me he had no fears that Ferguson would use the triumph to say goodbye. If the Glazers had a say, they would want Sir Alex to go on and on.
He will one day retire but the way he has been talking one suspects that having bettered Sir Matt Busby's achievement and won this premier European trophy twice, he has even higher goals.
He wants to make sure Manchester United rank with the greats of European football like Real Madrid and AC Milan in the number of times they have won this tournament. That suggests he will be around for some time yet.
Both Liverpool and Manchester United supporters have told me they were glad it was not a clash between these two teams in Moscow. For both sets of supporters, losing to the other on foreign soil would have been unbearable.
I detected no such feeling between Chelsea and Manchester United, although I did see some Chelsea jibes about not being scousers.
The mood of the fans was the most subdued I have ever seen in a European final where an English team has been involved.
Talking to fans, I got the impression one reason was that many had made a long away-day trip, so had very little sleep, and they had also taken on board the warnings of what to do and what not to do in Moscow.
Both sets of fans were all too familiar with each other but I got the impression they were somewhat in awe of the surroundings - and if you are in Red Square with the Kremlin illuminated, you can understand why.
However, after this match the world should be in awe of what the English Premier League can and often does produce, week in and week out.
I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~41~RS~)
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I think SAF's rant at the referee was about the Chelsea players hounding the referee at every decision. At one point I heard him say to the Ref "I trust you".
What a game though. Tense.
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It was not the Juve-Milan Final that convinced Abramovich to buy a football club, but the thrilling Man Utd-Real Madrid 2003 CL QF game that finished 4-3 to United. Why would Abramovich want to buy a football club after watching arguably the worst final ever.
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Ferguson is truly one of the greatest managers in the world. I can't help thinking that if he was actually English this would be more recognised by the press. We would be subjected to endless unctuous tributes of the sort typically displayed at any mention of the 1966 World Cup. Ferguson is not overly praised or respected for his outstanding achievements, a result of his being a Scot. The so called UK is rife with this kind of enmity and the Union is doomed. Well done Manchester United though.
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Last night was one of the most enjoyable finals I have ever watched, and although you'd have expected Man Utd to play entertainingly, I was slightly worried that Chelsea would turn the game into a bore draw... instead they delivered!
Cracking game, and amazing that it was John Terry who missed the penalty!
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Clearly Mihir, you didn't see my Facebook status which suggested that this was effectively the 39th PL game that Scudamore and others wanted earlier this year.
As an Arsenal fan (thus a neutral for this one - although probably siding with Chelsea, so I wouldn't have to put with a smug Ferguson on TV), the game was definitely an interesting one - although as ever with penalities it will only ever be remembered for who scored and who didn't in the shoot out than what proceeded in the prior 120 minutes. I think you're generous to say the first 10 minutes were dull - it was at least 20, and maybe it was the pitch or maybe it was something else, but often the game lacked a special something.
As for the pitch - commentators suggested the Russians had soaked it on the night before to help it bed down. With all the extra water from the rain, one wonders if that created that extra layer on the surface that caused Terry to slip when taking the penalty (very much, a la Beckham versus Turkey a few years back).
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manutd1982 is right about Abramovich having been inspired to buy a football club by the exciting Manchester United - Real Madrid match in 2003.
Also, it looked like Ferguson was having to contend with Drogba for the referee's attention as the three of them walked onto the pitch together.
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I'm not sure exactly what point you are trying to make here, surely you aren't suggesting that 1) game 39 is a good idea or 2) that the Champions League Final 'proves' the Premiership is the best league in the world?
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"But in many ways the Champions League final was the 39th game..."
Watch it, Mihir, this is perilously close to lazy cliche. What are the 'many ways' in which this was the 39th game?
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Juve versus AC Milan was unforgetable for me for one reason, it was the first time a footballer had won this esteemed trophy with three different clubs. Those clubs were Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan. The players name was Clarence Seedorf.
When Seedorf was informed of this fact as the player celebrated the win live on TV just after the last penalty had been scored, Seedorf who did not realise the magnitude of his achievement until that moment just burst into tears. It was a moment that will be forever etched in my memory.
Seedorf must probably be the most successful player in recent European history as he has also won the trophy a second time with AC Milan.
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sorry but am I missing something? Was there a football match last night?
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Great match, at last my French friends agreed what I have been saying to them so long..THE BEST FOOTBALL MATCHES TAKE PLACE EVERY WEEKEND IN ENGLAND. Was great to watch , as a Mu fan i am happy to see us win it again .But I feel sorry for frank, he is a good player who i like to watch.
After two boring last finals ,we got one of the best and yessssssss, please give us a premiership final every year.
Bravo to Man u and Chelsea for a very good match
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grandesenhor:
What? You think Fergie isn't praised enough?? Of COURSE he is - rightly so. He isn't praised as much as an English manager (with same record) would be - but isn't that fair, given that he plies his trade in the ENGLISH Premier League? Would an Englishman get as much praise as a Scot in the SPL? No, of course not. Which is fair enough, as this is PATRIOTISM, not enmity. A natural pride of your nation's achievements, including that of individuals.
As for the article - not hugely relevant, seems like a re-tread of the tired 'Prem League is best' monotony. We KNOW already. Interesting that Mihir can't even counterpoint his article with the rumours about Ronaldo going to Madrid.
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The match showed the benefits of fully rested players and proves we need a smaller premiership with less games.
I thought ferguson was whinging about the chelsea player's late arrival for the second half.
Very few comments made on the timewasting going on in the second half which slightly spoiled the spectacle. What does joe cole and others from both sides ever hope to achieve by screaming at the ref, except for expending energy required elsewhere and then seeing any benefits of the doubt going against them.
Grand match though and good to see the supporters behaving and adding in such a positive way to the atmosphere.
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The all english final.
both clubs owned by foreigners.
both clubs managed by foreigners.
what was it 8 of 22 players english?
yes, the all english final.
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I'm sorry, but I didn't see the game as many, apparently, did.
It had flashes of good football, true, but there were long periods of virtual stalemate in the centre of the field.
Some errors - particularly a couple by Ferdinand - were well below the standard I expect from Players at this level - I dont care what state the pitch was in.
Back in the 'good old days' - days most can't remember and therefore totally ignore and dismiss, Football flowed from end to end - with rapidity and flair. Players stood up to fair contact and didn't fall down - as soon as someone passed by, too close for their comfort!
It is easy to deride the old time game but, the truth is 'modern' fans don't even think about the old game or the old Players. Modern equipment, grounds, and particularly the ball have made the game relatively simple. - for the true Players. That's fine and as it should be BUT, don't call a rather boring 1 - 1 game anything but boring - except for the odd moment or two when something exciting actually happened!
We're kidding ourselves if we think this is as good as it gets. Watch some film of the 40s 50s and 60s - for a start!
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Three semi-finalists out of four and four quarter-finalists proves the Premiership is the strongest league around. Whereas the better African and South American players once preferred the Italian and Spanish leagues, the riches available to our clubs mean the best now see the Premiership as the best place to play at the very highest level. An earlier contributor trots out the rose-tinted cliche that football was better in the 'good old days'. How would those players have lived with the scrutiny those playing today are under? Pick an 11 of British and Irish players from the last 50 years, then a team of overseas players just from the Premier League era of 1993 onwards and see how much better it is now! Long may our clubs conquer Europe.
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It's interesting to see how many out there consder a 1-1 draw to be an exhirilating match. The real drama was the penalty shoot out which was exciting.
Whilst an ardent supporer of The Premier League - and we are going through a cycle of success thanks to TV money and investments from new and wealthy owners - The Spanish and Italian Leagues are still a potent force and ones that can attract wolrd class player such as Kaka, Ronaldihno and and Eto'o who don't seem to be allured by The Premier League.
We have still a long way to go to catch up Real Mardid's 9 (nine) European Cup/Champions League wins.
Liverpool and Man Utd together would still be one short of Real Madrid and there are/were the best we've had.
The 39th Game "debate", which has to be put to rest, was surley proven to be a good idea but seriously flawed.
Playing the final in Moscow could have been great news had it been CSKA Moscow vs Dynamo Kyiv but the reality was that this was never going to worry the bookies. Of the people I know who wanted/went to the final it represented a real financial challenge combined with attendant logistical considerations.
Football is a people's/fans game and the ruling body should factor in some pragmatic thinking when deciding where to hold the final.
This is not about always holding Finals in "mid" Europe or ignoring important places like Russia.
Grass roots football supporters are starting to get irked by Footballing bodies - and the big Clubs - taking fans for granted which will only lead to fans voting with their feet.
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".....after this match the world should be in awe of what the English Premier League can and often does produce, week in and week out."
Twaddle.
Whilst this was a tense and reasonably exciting match, it was hardly indicative of the snoozefests normally served up in matches between the over-hyped big four.
It did however have plenty of examples of the 'English' diseases - unforced errors, aimless long balls and in the case of the eventual winners, a complete inability from half time onwards to get behind the opposition defence. At this level technique and tactical sophistication should be just as important as the exemplary fitness levels demonstrated by both sides.
Before making cliched comments about the 'awe-inspiring' appeal of the English Premier League, Mr Bose should perhaps take in a few matches between the likes of Blackburn, Bolton, Fulham, Newcastle Sunderland and Wigan not to mention the hapless trio that were relegated.
The scarily dull football played week in and week out by the mid-table mediocrities is the real story of the EPL and the reason why Fabio Capello will indeed be a genius if he can fashion a silk purse out of the current sow's ear that comprises the English national team.
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pompey_fritter:
"The all english final.
both clubs owned by foreigners.
both clubs managed by foreigners.
what was it 8 of 22 players english?
yes, the all english final"
Q: Just how many of portsmouths cup final starting XI were English?
A:3
The age-old debate surrounding foreign imports has been done endless times before. Would the EPL really be as skilful and exciting as it is without the foreign influx?
Without foreign ownership Pompey would still be struggling to survive in the championship (their rise to prominence effectively being bankrolled by a Serb).
'The Club' is what is important to true fans, not what passport their favourite player or financial benefactor might hold.
All English football fans should be proud that we have produced the two best teams in the world, and what a spectacle it was.
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Mihir:
Thanks for the BBC Coverage in Moscow....
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