Drogba pounced five minutes from the end of extra-time to sink United with a close-range effort after the game looked to be heading for penalties. The goal gave Chelsea revenge for losing their Premiership crown to United and added to their Carling Cup triumph last February.

Chelsea, ravaged by injuries, were quickly into their stride with Wayne Bridge crossing for Didier Drogba to head over in the second minute. In the seventh minute a cross from Frank Lampard was partially cleared by Wes Brown but Shaun Wright-Phillips failed to make the most of his chance when the ball dropped at his feet.

Paul Scholes wasted United's first real opportunity moments later when a poor headed clearance by Mikel John Obi fell invitingly for the United midfielder but the former England international sent his volley well wide from 25 yards.

The game had hardly lived up to its splendid surroundings in the opening 20 minutes with both sides preferring to retain possession instead of looking for an opening. But it was Drogba who brought the game alive in the 22nd minute when Chelsea attacked United with real purpose for the first time. The Ivorian striker, with 32 goals in a marvellous season for the Blues, took advantage of United's hesitation in defence to let fly from 25 yards. His dipping shot beat the despairing dive of Edwin van der Sar but flashed wide of his right-hand upright.

The tempo of the game resembled a pre-season knockabout more than the showpiece end-of-season final everyone had hoped for. However Chelsea right-back Paulo Ferreira did beat Gabriel Heinze with ease on the edge of the penalty area and slipped the ball into the path of Frank Lampard. The England international, his future at Chelsea in doubt, brought the first save of the game from Edwin van der Sar with a right-foot shot. Moments later, with the impetus clearly favouring Chelsea, WrightPhillips sent a shot high over the crossbar after Drogba had picked him out just inside the 18-yard area.

Chelsea made the first change at half-time when Joe Cole was replaced by Dutch winger Arjen Robben.

Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho clearly thought Robben's pace and trickery would give them more penetration on the left flank than Cole had offered in the opening period.

Chelsea were soon in the ascendancy again but their final ball was below par on several occasions. But in the 56th minute United almost conjured an opener of real quality when Scholes picked out Ryan Giggs on the left wing. The Wales winger chose to hit the ball first time on the volley and while he managed to despatch his effort with pace, the ball flew over the crossbar much to Petr Cech's relief.

Chelsea hit back with Mikel sliding a fine ball through for Wright-Phillips to chase and then Lampard was felled by Scholes in a tackle that brought the United midfielder the first booking of the game. United were almost punished again from the freekick when Drogba hit the foot of the upright. The final was now beginning to liven up but it still lacked a goal.

In the 62nd minute, Robben did his best to supply one when he raced to the byline and fired in a low cross which Van der Sar had to fist clear.

Neither side could manage to find a way to break the deadlock in the opening period of extra-time. But United came the closest when a cross from Wayne Rooney reached Giggs sliding in at the far post and his shot was saved by Cech. Giggs' momentum meant he shoved Cech and the ball over the line but the referee waved play on.

Chelsea substitute Salomon Kalou almost opened the scoring seven minutes from the end of extra-time but his shot went wide of the post from 18 yards.

But a minute later Drogba pounced to put Chelsea in front with his 33rd goal of the season. The Ivorian striker collected a pass from Mikel, exchanged passes with Lampard and then lifted the ball past Van der Sar from six yards to give Chelsea the cup.