On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Mick Mac]

ok pgc. A double on the old firm game. And you have home advantage so you should win. Ill be playing golf so will miss the game but a draw would suit celtic nicely.

[Keef]

I just read the match report, not having seen it, and feel sorry for chelsea based on the fact the report said they had 2 really good penalty shouts. Cruel ending, but should be a good final. AFN, was Drogba not taken off for injury?

[SimonM]

Chelsea did have two good penalty shouts in the first half - but they still had a number of glaring opportunities to go 2-0 up which they messed up. The players can moan all they want but they blew it. The final now should have lots of goals, what with all those banned Barca defenders and both sides rich with attacking talent......(now it'll be 0-0....). Barca looked the better footballing side throughout and deserved to go through, 10 men and all.

The Sky "pundits"' criticisms of the referee not being up to the job because he was Norwegian were ludicrous.

[Annasfield]

Sorry, but had Drogba not have been such a dirty player in the past he may have got a penalty tonight. But to coin a phrase "he's a disgrace".

Come on Barca - what a night!

What the hell was Ballack on too?

http://i40.tinypic.com/312e1sl.gif

[Mick Mac]

Very good Anna - I like that and I agree re Drogba - he's the boy who cried wolf once too often.

[matthew123]

In my opinion Chelsea were robbed of a trip to Rome for the Final - 2 clear penalties, and the one at the death maybe..

Ballack chasing after the Ref was the highlight of the night, closely followed by Drogba telling the world that Ref was a 'f**king disgrace'.

Special mention to that wonder goal by Michael Essien, what a strike and with his weaker foot. Wow!

[red devil]

The referee had a 'mare. That he's Norwegian is irrelevant, but he did look out of his depth and the porker couldn't keep up with the speed of the game. It wasn't a sending off (that should shut up the conspiracy theorists), but there were 2 clear penalties for Chelski. It's hard not to snigger (stop it Muttley!) at Chelski's misfortune, particularly Drogba, and the sight of John Terry about to burst into tears again brought back happy memories, but if I was waking up as a Chelski fan this morning I'd be feeling pretty hard done by...

http://images.bcdb.com/gallery/d/1098-2/muttley_laugh.jpg

[Sandperson]

The ref's fitness was the one thing I would have questioned. He couldn't keep up! Anna, stop supporting Barca and do what your heart tells you. You REALLY want us to win our fourth European Cup don't you!

[Atila Reincarnate]

Didn't watch the game last night as I was playing 5 a side, but I understand Chavski were the better side and deserved to win.........shame, I mean that most sincerely friends. Come on Barca.

[Jah Lush]

I hope they throw the book at Drogba and give him a six match ban for that dummy spitting tantrum and as for Ballack chasing the ref and throwing his toys out of the pram he deserves something similar, what a total arse.

[Atila Reincarnate]

In fairness and credit where credit is due I'm told Lampard acted like a true gent and simply went around all the Barca players shaking hands. Is this true?

[SeanMacGabhann]

Lampard was pretty impressive after the game I thought - he was indeed being magnanimous

But apart from Ballack and then Drogba (and to a lesser extent Terry - quelle surprise) all losing it, the BEST bit was in the studio. Jamie was nearly in tears and Souness was sticking up for teh ref.. they nearly had a fight. I'm sure a couple of ad-breaks were rushed into before they said something they might regret, I must check if it's on youtube by now..

[Annasfield]

Not even if hell froze over Sandperson.

I think that Drogba and Ballack's behaviour last night was absolutely shocking and they should definitely be punished. Whilst I can empathise with how they must have felt (as there were several poor decisions that went for and against them), that was not sporting conduct and was quite frankly attrocious. I don't think Chelsea FC have helped themselves today either by condoning their actions. Had Hiddink have admitted it was unacceptable, but was in the heat of the moment and that they were sorry, then perhaps people might be a little more understanding.

[Mikecg]

Haha I remember an incident with Martin O'neil and Alan Hanson, they were very professional about it and just gave eachother a few very well delivered digs, If you find it on youtube SMG be sure to post the link for us.

[Jah Lush]

Atila Reincarnate Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> In fairness and credit where credit is due I'm

> told Lampard acted like a true gent and simply

> went around all the Barca players shaking hands.

> Is this true?

John Terry did the same until he saw Drogba's antics and gazed at him in disbelief.

Drogba let Chelsea down by getting sent off with his petulent slap at Nemanja Vidic in the final last year and his sulking this year where he didn't get on with Scolari must have caused a lot of unrest in the dressing room and he showed his true colours once again at the end of last night's match. If I was in charge at Chelsea I'd ship him out. That sort of behaviour doesn't reflect well on the team or the club.

[matthew123]

Ballack and Drogba were lucky not to get red cards - having said that it was very entertaining. As for Jamie Redknapp, with eyes bulging, telling Richard Keys that they couldn't have a Spanish Ref because Barcelona were from Spain was the icing on the cake.

If Drogba had still been on the pitch during the Ballack incident heaven forbid what would have happened... as I think we'd now be talking about assault.

Chelsea were definately robbed last night but I don't remember them shedding any tears in last years semi final when Sami Hyypia was denied a blatant penalty or in 2005 when Carvalho spun the Barcelona goalkeeper for Terry to head the decisive goal.

['bout now]

I think you're bang on the money there Jah, players of Drogba's petulant and selfish persuasion are extremely bad for the morale of any team. On another point though, is Hiddink truly such a great manager? Chelski have achieved exactly the same under Ranieri, more under Morinho and Grant and who know's what under Scolari. I know he hasn't been there long but what is this media led adoration for him?

[Annasfield]

He's not schloppy.

[matthew123]

I think Hiddink has turned it around at Chelsea - there was a fear they'd miss out on Champions League qualification. Since he took over, in January?, I believe they've lost 1 game (at WHL) in all competitions.

['bout now]

I suppose we'll never know as he won't be there next season, or will he....?

[matthew123]

The Ballack and Drogba mix, with Benny Hill soundtrack -

[Keef]

If I was in charge at Chelsea I'd ship him out. That sort of behaviour doesn't reflect well on the team or the club.

Pretty much agree with the feeling towards him, but the fact remains he's a bloody good player, and it's hard to justify shipping them out.

If Rooney or Ronaldo, or Gerrard or Torres started acting like that, I can't see their clubs kicking them through the door.

I also feel that in the circumstances of last night, a few players past and present would have done the same! Imagine Roy Keane!!!!! (that is not a dig at United, that is a dig at Keane, who, good a player as he was, I have no respect for).

[????]

I'm still p1ssing myself laughing....Chelsea, all that's wrong with football nowadays. "JT", Captain of England, defending multi-millionairres screaming obscenities infront of a global audience and calling the referee a disgrace? The bloke should never captain England again...scumbag, end of.

[????]

That fat cunt Lampard can do one too

[SeanMacGabhann]

Clips and discussion of this weeks Irish v English CL coverage

some classic Dunphy Quotes again

?I didn?t manage anywhere?I managed to stay alive for 63 and a half years, baby.