Sport
Didier Drogba match winner as Chelsea beats Liverpool 2-1 to win FA Cup
Didier Drogba of Chelsea celebrates after he scored their second goal during the FA Cup Final match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on May 5, 2012. PHOTO/Shaun Botterill
Four goals in four FA Cup finals, and now four winners’ medals for Didier Drogba.
Cementing his status as Chelsea’s player for the big occasions, Drogba clinched a 2-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday to prove his enduring value to the team at the age of 34.
“He is my hero,” midfielder Frank Lampard said. “No striker I have ever played with has scored so many important goals in finals.”
In fact, no player has ever scored in as many FA Cup finals as Drogba.
“That’s the reason why I came here, to win trophies and to make history with the club,” said Drogba, who joined Chelsea in 2004. “The result is great for us, for the fans, for the club. Our fourth FA Cup final, fourth win, fourth trophy.”
But it could be his last FA Cup as the Ivorian’s contract expires at the end of the season.
“He’s not 65. He’s a top professional,” Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said when asked about Drogba’s future.
Drogba scored his eighth goal in eight games at Wembley in the 52nd minute of the 131st final of the competition, with Chelsea already leading through Ramires’ deflected 11th-minute strike.
