Not that the game was anything special and indeed the behaviour of the players was reprehensible whenever they felt a decision was worth contesting (which was pretty much every 30 seconds).

But the sight of Chelsea macho man John Terry blubbing his eyes out after costing his team a trophy they deserved on the balance of play was one of the funniest things I saw all season, and that even includes gruesome Leeds United's promotion-busting 15-point penalty.

Terry carelessly failing to shoot into a gaping net from all of 12 yards was justice for those of us appalled by the behaviour of a man who until recently was captain of his country as well as his club.

I hold no particular regard for Manchester United, but I do find it impossible to support Chelsea in any circumstances. Their game is based on niggles, gamesmanship and blatant cheating.

And Terry is their ring-leader, the man who invariably leads the charge to confront officials and opponents.

So imagining the hurt he will be feeling all summer will sustain my happiness until Posh start another promotion charge in August.



INDEED now that Avram Grant has made his inevitable departure there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to have a soft spot for Chelsea.

Grant was always too decent, too down-to-earth and too likeable for life at Stamford Bridge.

It seems strange to me that finishing runners-up in three competitions is seen as failure and yet finishing a financial year in the sort of debt that could cripple the Chinese economy is dismissed as an irrelevance.


AND how appropriate that Didier Drogba's last act in English football might prove to be throwing a girlie slap in the face of an opponent to earn an inevitable red card.

My only surprise was that Drogba didn't roll around in agony complaining of a broken finger or three. Good riddance to one of the most infuriating footballers of recent seasons.

Drogba is quick, strong and a bloody good finisher, but he'll be remembered just as much for the posing and the theatrics. It's always amazed me that imposing physical specimens like Drogba can be knocked to the ground so easily.

But football is no longer played by real men. Real men don't cry, throw tantrums or act like the second lead in an amateur dramatics group.



Other random Champions League irritations:

- That oil-slick in a suit Peter Kenyon leading the Chelsea players up the grandstand steps to get their medals. Is negotiating a few contracts and overseeing annual losses running into tens of millions now deemed worthy of reward?

- The unbelievably awful commentary from ITV's Clive Tyldsley who mentioned the 1999 European Cup Final so often, I almost turned to Sky to listen to awful Andy Gray.

- The failure yet again of Wayne Rooney to perform in a big game. One glorious crossfield pass in the first half was followed by nothing - no shots, no telling passes, not even any fouls or foul-mouthed rants. If Cristiano Ronaldo does leave for Real Madrid, United will struggle to finish ahead of Liverpool.

- The failure of Ashley Cole to embarrass himself. With Terry and Drogba exiting in disgrace and the arrogant Ronaldo missing his penalty, all that was required to make it the perfect night was Cole to fall flat on his face, but annoyingly he played pretty well.


I RECEIVED my first death threat this week. A group called the Portsmouth FC Fighting Crew were responsible, but as long as they have only the same attacking potency as their team they will be incapable of causing me harm.

It was the extreme response to my view last week that Pompey were fortunate FA Cup winners, that they are a boring team with a vastly over-rated manager and possess fans who delivered an embarrassing round of boos at the Welsh national anthem.

I'm happy to repeat my opinion, but as further proof of their accuracy, look at the statistics from their FA Cup run.

Third round: beat Ipswich 1-0 after shocking refereeing decision reduced opponents to 10 men in the first half. Pompey keeper David James was still man of the match.

Fourth round: beat Plymouth 2-1 after being outplayed. David James again man of the match.

Fifth round: beat Preston 1-0 after side in the Championship relegation zone at the time outplayed them. Fluke own goal winner in the final minute.

Sixth round: beat Manchester United 1-0 after referee ignored strong penalty claims for United in the opening stages. Pompey going behind normally leads to a defeat.

Semi-final: beat West Brom 1-0 after being outplayed. Shocking refereeing decision led to the only goal.

Final: beat Cardiff 1-0 thanks to a goalkeeping error and impotent opponents who still dominated the second half.

Pompey were fortunate FA Cup winners. Harry Redknapp is an over-rated manager. Oh and I have mentioned before that Fratton Park is a dump?