BlueLion.

True professional and an absolute gentleman. Great translator as well.

Has he left yet?

Great save yes, but what an horrific finish from Ozil! He played brilliantly well yesterday, you have to give it to him. I'm not quite sure how Real didn't win the game after hitting the woodwork three times. Football is a funny game, isn't it? Courtois had to make one or two big saves and he did very well. One or two rush-of-blood-to-the-head moments but generally a good performance, well played!

BluesChick is the official Most-liked Forumer, and Peace. has won Best Football Knowledge! Congratulations!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22555151 Boy, 11, joins Chelsea stars in Europa League celebrations The 11-year-old was pictured [bottom left] among the Chelsea players as the medal presentations were beginning.

How the hell do you think he got the Mod job?!

^ the Di Matteo chant will continue in the 16th minute. Even re-hiring Mourinho wouldn't properly right the wrong that was sacking him, it was a slight against the supporters who backed an idol of theirs', and a legend of the club, in the first place. His treatment was disgusting, and the chants serve as a - a "thank you" to Robbie, and b - a "fuck you" to Buck, Gourlay et al.

Player of the Year - Mata, without question. Players' Player of the Year - David Luiz Young Player of the Year - Izzy Feruz Goal of the Season - Oscar vs Juventus (second goal), since his one vs Shakhtar wasn't on the list.

Model professional and absolutely decent human being, nothing against the bloke.

That will be gut-wrenching. And we all thought Drogba leaving was tough!

Perfect signing as far as I'm concerned. De Rossi for £12 million > Fellaini for £25-30 million.

^ seen better acting in Hollyoaks.

Absolutely wonderful news! Hopefully we see him reach 220!

I don't think it is as nice as the current kit, but it is different, and better than any other home kit we've had with adidas.

I think you're spot on there. Blinded by hatred.

Well I'm not going to go over the top and say I'd go as far as "liking" him, but he's done a good job and deserves some credit. Still a Scouse cunt though!

Chelsea became just the fourth team to complete the set of European trophies as they defeated SL Benfica in Amsterdam's Europa League showpiece. There were shades of Munich as a late, late header from Branislav Ivanovic - a wonderful, looping effort that dropped just underneath the crossbar - ensured the Blues joined the hallowed company of Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus as one of the four club sides to complete a quartet of victories in UEFA competitions. It is fitting company for the West London outfit. Winners, of course, of the Champions League last May against Bayern in their own stadium, the Blues this season saw themselves dumped out of the competition thanks to a 3-0 humbling at the hands of Juventus, before earning redemption in Ajax's own Amsterdam ArenA. Written in the stars, indeed. It means Rafael Benitez' interim appointment has ended with great success. After guaranteeing Champions League qualification on Saturday - a day that also saw Frank Lampard become the club's all-time top goalscorer - this Amsterdam triumph completes an excellent week for the West Londoners. Even though the Europa League may not be the most glamorous of the eight competitions the Blues contested this term, from the impassioned celebrations of Ivanovic's last gasp winner amongst the supporters and players alike, it is evident this one definitely matters. As for the game itself - well, you may have been forgiven for thinking you were watching a re-run of last season's incredible against-all-odds success in Munich, with scenes of a red tide thrashing against a stubborn, immovable blue wall! To their credit, a defeat is very, very harsh on Benfica, who dictated the play for long periods, albeit without truly creating clear-cut chances. Their best first-half opportunities fell to former Bolton Wanderers loanee Rodrigo, who fluffed his lines with the goal at his mercy. Despite a truly phenomenal save from Artur - who, despite diving the wrong way was able to deflect over Frank Lampard's vicious swerving shot from distance - the Blues were clearly second-best and somewhat fortunate to reach the interval goalless. Stern words were clearly exchanged at the break. Despite Benfica once more starting like the proverbial house on fire, the Blues rallied and opened the scoring on the hour mark through Fernando Torres. The much-maligned Spaniard - whose 22-goal season has been belittled and demeaned left, right, and centre - produced a moment of the highest quality as he shrugged aside the hulking presence of Luisao before rounding the goalkeeper and stroking the ball home to send the Chelsea supporters into raptures. After claims suggesting Torres never truly brings the goods to the highest table, this was a clear indication that deep down somewhere, the old Fernando Torres still survives. It was a moment that closely echoed the Nou Camp last season. Yet this was a better goal technically. The Spaniard showed strength, pace, and composure to fire home the opener, and suddenly the world looked a whole lot brighter from a Chelsea persuasion. Blood pressure back to normal, after a brief injection of ecstasy. Benfica responded in kind through their top scorer, Oscar Cardozo, who rifled home from the penalty spot. The referee had blown after Cesar Azpilicueta handled on the edge of the area. It may have been a cruel decision, but whether deliberate or not, the Spaniard's arm was outstretched and the spot kick was correctly awarded. Cardozo's stuttering run-up failed to deceive Cech, but the forward slotted straight down the centre of the goal to restore parity. At the other end, Torres was wrestled to the ground by Luisao. It was certainly one of those you have seen given before, pardon the cliché. Cardozo had suddenly sprung into life, and only a very fine save from Petr Cech kept Chelsea on level terms. A bouncing ball on the edge of the area was expertly fired goalwards by the Benfica talisman, but the Czech custodian produced a save of the highest calibre to help the ball over the goal-frame. If Cardozo's effort was a fine strike, then Frank Lampard's subsequent attempt on 87 minutes was other-worldly. The England star thrashed the ball from fully 25 yards, and only the width of the crossbar seemed to have spared Benfica from late heartache. Yet up stepped Branislav Ivanovic, who, on 93 minutes, pealed away from his man before rising at the back post to send a wonderful looping header back across the face of the goal and into the top corner. It was a goal every bit as good as Didier Drogba's divine intervention in the last minute in Munich, and a goal that paid the dividends of examining and thus exploiting the weaknesses of Benfica's zonal marking system. The trophy was Chelsea's. Credit must go to Benitez. Inheriting an entirely thankless job, the Spaniard has done what was expected. Though top four football and a single trophy may not rank anywhere near the achievements of Roberto di Matteo last term, this small squad has been expertly managed by the Spaniard in navigating six different competitions under his tutelage. Two domestic cup semi-finals, a European cup triumph and a top four - possibly top three - league placement under the Spaniard certainly makes impressive reading. The pragmatists will claim this has been a season of transition for this young Chelsea side. Crucially, as managers and playing personnel come and go, silverware has been delivered to give these young future stars a taste of hopefully more to come. Despite the adversity, Benitez has helped produce a small reward for the endeavours of the club's longest-ever season. That alone deserves at least a quiet toast. Cheers, Rafa. Click here to view the article

^ Cole and Ivanovic were exceptional last night, though, playing in finals definitely brings the best out of Cole and any big occasion is Branna-Time. Cahill still did fairly well, considering he has been in and out of the team this year.

Still "hate" him for what he said about the club, BUT you can't say he hasn't tried (and, ultimately, done) his best for the club. He'll leave with my thanks, my respect, and nothing but goodwill for the future.

To show City our silverware. And to let them know you don't win stuff just with money. You need heart and soul as well, perhaps even more so.

Love this little guy. He didn't have his best game, but his tenacity is absolutely outstanding. Very impressive work-rate and stamina. I think he will be Mourinho's new favourite. Great (team) performance from him - he didn't do that much offensively, but his tracking back and doubling-up with Cole on the left was necessary to stifle Benfica's attacking threat. The Little Genius is a trophy-winner, and he's wearing Chelsea blue! :cfc:

Hand on heart, I said to my dad as soon as got the corner that Branna was going to score. Just had a gut feeling.

I think he personally is just destined never to lift the cup in a European final. Obviously he can take great pride in being part of the squad - even if you're sat on the bench, if you're in the squad, you're a cup-winner.