JT Bravery Inspires Blues In Snarling Cup Final
The last final at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium, in 2007, was a controversial, yet compelling, affair.
Theo Walcott gave Arsenal a 12th minute lead but Chelsea soon levelled when Didier Drogba struck. Then came the fireworks.
Demonstrating his customary fearless approach to the game, John Terry flung himself amongst the flying boots in the Arsenal penalty area and received an accidental kick to the head from the Gunners’ Abou Diaby. The quick thinking of Arsenal physio Gary Lewin, who was close at hand, helped save the day and Terry was rushed to hospital having been knocked unconscious.
This meant seven minutes of added time but an additional five minutes were needed as Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and John Obi Mikel were all sent off following a mass fracas, at a stroke doubling the sendings-off tally from previous finals.
Remarkably, Terry made it back from hospital to join in the celebrations in the Chelsea dressing room at the end of the match after Drogba’s 84th minute winner won the Cup for the Blues.