Guus the Gambler has finally used up all of his nine lives as his side’s Champions League nightmare lived on for another season, showing Roman Abramovich that you need more than riches to gain reward at the very, very top.

But for all the agony of a last-gasp defeat littered with several debatable refereeing decisions, the match will be mired in controversy as Chelsea proved as graceless and petulant in defeat as ever, with Didier Drogba bringing the game into disrepute for one of the most juvenile reactions seen in recent memory.

Drogba’s histrionics can’t be thrown in the ‘passion spilling over’ basket, or ‘drama is good for the game’ excuse. He’s a repeat offender. From brawling with Michael Ballack against Manchester United a few seasons back, to feigning injuries, to carrying on like a pork-chop every time something goes against him – this can’t be veiled as a sportsman and a brain snap after having his dreams shattered.

After staring down the barrel of the camera, to millions of fans, hundreds and thousands of kids, to tell them the referee was a “f***ing disgrace”, Drogba should be stamped out for the rest of the season – including the F.A Cup Final.

This is arguably the world’s greatest striker – is this the image the game needs beamed across the globe?

Chelsea have failed to reign him in over a long period, and should be held responsible for these scenes at their own home ground, which included Michael Ballack doing everything but decking the referee while protesting one of his dubious decisions.

Referees make mistakes. Sometimes in football they are infuriating. But where was the referee when Drogba’s first touch spurned at least two, maybe three chances tonight?

It’s always the easy out to point the finger at the man in the middle.

What about the fact that Chelsea had chances to close it out? What about the fact Chelsea had the chance to wind the clock down but lost the ball with nonchalant play in the minute before the goal? What about the defending – watertight for the previous 182 minutes – that half-cleared the ball, retreated inside the box, and forgot to shut down Iniesta?

Hiddink might have bullied Guardiola for 182 minutes, stifling his attacking armoury, but this is the UEFA Champions League.

Andrea Iniesta, the unsung magician in Barcelona’s band of superstars, finally gets his time in the spotlight with a goal of the highest order.

It’s what the Champions League is about. Michael Essien, this week playing in a more withdrawn role, proved he is the word’s most durable, versatile, adaptable midfielder with the most astonishing goal to put Chelsea ahead.

It’s not the first time he’s done it either.

 

Some people find Scolari’s departure as the common denominator in Chelsea’s change of fortunes this season I don’t think you can look further than Essien’s return from a 6 month injury lay-off. Forget Chelsea’s glamour boys, Essien is the heart and soul of this football side.

While Chelsea’s pragmatic performance should’ve been enough to see them through to the final, even as a Chelsea fan, I side with the neutrals on one thing:

The stage is set for the match of the decade, and to find the club that will define this generation.

And on another Champions League:

Europe isn’t the only place conjuring magical goals at the moment. There was a great story out of Newcastle last night when 20-year-old Sean Rooney scored a clutch-goal of the highest order – a one-touch curling effort from outside the area – as late as Iniesta.

Comparing the standard of Asia and Europe is, well, apples and oranges, but for clutch goals, Rooney’s was every bit as spectacular as Iniesta’s.

It just proves what a great tactician Gary Van Egmond is – and what a shame Newcastle has been looted since it won the Premiership. The Jets bear no resemblance to the side that won the 2007-8 season, but Van Egmond, very quickly, has brought a side resembling a nursery up to speed and playing something close to what the club deserves.

I couldn’t understand why Sydney let the youth league’s best striker go half way through last year – and it was great to see him show his potential on the continental stage.