FA Cup Result: Chelsea triumph thanks to phantom goal

FA Cup / Mike Norman / 15 April 2012 /

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Didier Drogba celebrates his stunning goal against Tottenham

"TV replays show that the ball came nowhere near to crossing the line and that Atkinson had a clear view of the incident, making his decision to award a goal even more baffling."

In an exciting encounter Chelsea are through to the FA Cup final but that's not the full story. If you don't know anything about it you soon will. Mike Norman explains.

Chelsea are through to the FA Cup final but unfortunately tomorrow's headlines will once again be dominated by some incompetent officiating.

The game ended 5-1 to the Blues, but it's what happened just after half time that will have the 'cry for video evidence' army back out in force, and referee Martin Atkinson with some explaining to do.

A Chelsea corner was headed away by Ledley King and met by Juan Mata who drilled the ball goalwards. The ball hit a number of bodies just short of the goal line before being hacked away to safety, but for reasons only known to himself, Atkinson signals that a goal has been scored, putting Chelsea 2-0 up and seeming in control at the time.

TV replays show that the ball came nowhere near to crossing the line and that Atkinson had a clear view of the incident, making his decision to award a goal even more baffling.

Earlier Didier Drogba put the Blues ahead thanks to a world class strike inside the box. A long ball up field was controlled by Drogba who flicked the ball into a shooting position before ferociously firing into the top corner. The Chelsea striker was backed at a high of [11.0] In-Play in the First Goalscorer market, whilst the 0-0 Half Time Score was backed heavily at [1.14] before Drogba's late first half strike.

Gareth Bale brought Spurs back into it on the hour mark, tapping into an empty net after Emmanuel Adebayor had rounded the keeper, but Ramires put the tie beyond doubt with just 15 minutes remaining and Frank Lampard scored a stunning free-kick late on. Florent Malouda scored deep into injury time to rub salt into Spurs' wounds.

The Any Unquoted Correct Score was backed at [44.0] In-Play, whilst a Chelsea victory was matched at a high of [3.1]. Over 5.5 Goals, which looked incredibly unlikely after 40 minutes of play, was backed at [90.0].

In the FA Cup Winner market Chelsea are the [1.75] favourites with Liverpool at [2.32], but it won't be Liverpool or Chelsea's victories that will be making the news this evening, it will be that crazy decision by referee Martin Atkinson.

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