The inevitable is no less disappointing

Chelsea 1 - 1 Bolton

The atmosphere was tense and the anticipation high, though in truth no one really believed. Surely Man U wouldn't slip up away to Wigan, had Fergies mind games got to Steve Bennett, was 4-4 against Tottenhan and 1-1 against Wigan themselves going to come back and haunt us. In reality they all mattered and then none of them mattered. Over a long and turbulent season, Man U were the better team ...... but we pushed them right to the wire.

As for the game itself, the omens were not good when JT was stretchered off after a collision with Petr Cech in only the tenth minute and the first half was a nervy affair with Joe Cole obviously having left his crossing boots at home. We started the second half in a much more positive vein with Malouda forcing a stunning save from the Bolton keeper from a 25 yards rocket. Sheva, on for Maka in a reshuffled 4-4-2 scrambled us into the lead on 62mins and despite Man U being one up there was a sudden air of expectation around the bridge. However this left the ground in an instant as the news filtered through that United had added a second at the JJB - ever heard 40,000 people sigh in unison ? its quite eerie.

As the game petered away, we once again scummed to a 92nd minute sucker punchwhen Matt Taylors shot found its way through a crowded penalty area to beat Petr Cech, but the spark had long gone by then and thoughts were turning to Moscow.

Thankfully JT made it back on to the pitch for the "lap of recognition" and hopefully he'll lead us out in Moscow for the first Champions League final in our History - COME ON U BLUES !!