FA set to act against Chelsea and Arsenal brawlers

Arsenal became the first team in the history of English soccer to have two players sent off in a major final, with red cards for captain Kolo Toure and substitute Emmanuel Adebayor while Chelsea's John Obi Mikel was also dismissed in Sunday's stoppage time fracas.

The FA said late yesterday it had received claims for wrongful dismissal from Arsenal and Chelsea with regards to Adebayor and Mikel. A hearing will take place today.

Only three players had ever been sent off in 46 finals since the competition began in 1960-61 and that number was doubled in two minutes of madness which overshadowed the first all-London final.

Since Arsene Wenger became manager in September 1996, Arsenal have had 68 players sent off, five this season.

Referee Howard Webb also handed out seven yellow cards in a pulsating, dramatic match, with the front pages of several of yesterday's newspapers showing a shocking close-up photograph of Chelsea skipper John Terry lying unconscious after an accidental kick in the head from Abou Diaby.

Terry received oxygen on the pitch before he was treated for his injuries. He made a complete recovery and was able to join his victorious team on their flight back to London later.

Chelsea were delighted to lift the season's first major trophy and in the end their greater experience told.

Arsenal's youngsters showed they have potential but plenty still to learn.

Although they took a 13th-minute lead with 17-year-old Theo Walcott's first Arsenal goal, Chelsea struck back to win the cup for the second time in three seasons with two goals from Didier Drogba after 20 and 84 minutes, taking his season's total to 28.

The trickery of Dutch substitute Arjen Robben caused problems for Arsenal and his pinpoint cross six minutes from time found Drogba, who again got the better of Philippe Senderos with a header into the corner.

Chelsea were rewarded for staying in the game, even when Arsenal's flowing football in the first hour had threatened to overwhelm them.

Drogba put the afternoon in a nutshell, telling reporters: "It was a difficult game against a fantastic team, they played very well. But I think we showed experience."

Terry's example

Mourinho's men are also resilient, none more so than England skipper Terry.

Flattened after trying to head in a loose ball, Chelsea will need that kind of toughness in their campaigns in the Champions League, FA Cup and Premier League, where they are nine points behind leaders Manchester United, albeit with a game in hand.

Sunday's triumph will give Chelsea a valuable boost while Drogba's scoring exploits make them a good bet for more success this season.

"We've been playing well for the last month or so and we're still in everything," said midfielder Frank Lampard.

"It's going to be very tough but everything we're in, we're capable of winning. We've won one, we'll enjoy the moment and then look for all the others."

While the defeat was disappointing for Arsenal, Wenger's young team did superbly well to reach the final and give Chelsea such a hard game.

Their long-term success also looks secure in the hands of so many talented youngsters.

Wenger opted to start with only three first-team regulars in Senderos, Toure and Fabregas, trusting the side that had accounted for Liverpool and Tottenham on the way to the final.

Spain's Fabregas, Brazilian fellow 19-year-old Denilson and Diaby sparkled in midfield, with the 20-year-old Frenchman recalling memories of former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira in his passing and movement.

However, there is clearly a big lesson to be learned from the youngsters's trip to Cardiff. Passion and commitment are admirable qualities but cool heads win trophies.