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Chelsea lift FA Cup
REUTER
REUTERLONDON, May 17: Italian Roberto di Matteo's memorable first-minute
goal and an Eddie Newton volley seven minutes from time gave Chelsea a 2-0
win over Middlesbrough in a tense, closely fought English FA Cup final
today.It was Chelsea's first Cup win since their only success in 1970 and
meant defeat for Middlesbrough in both major domestic Cup finals as well as
relegation from the Premier League this season.Di Matteo opened the scoring
after only 43 seconds with the fastest Cup final to be scored at Wembley in
the 74 years that the final has been staged here.Picking up the ball in his
own half he ran 30 metres before unleashing an unstoppable 25-metre strike
which flew in of the underside of Ben Roberts crossbar, giving the
21-year-old keeper no chance.Newton clinched the victory, starting the move
that led to the second goal. Ginafranco Zola made the final pass for Newton
to volley home from close range.Middlesbrough were unlucky when Gianluca
Festa had a headed goal disallowed for offside just before halftime, but
there was no doubting Chelsea's superiority and their deserved success.
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