History:

FA Cup winners Chelsea knew that they would make history today if they won. They had never won the double in their illustrious history and no manager had achieved the double in the era of the Premiership. Arsène Wenger came closest in 1998, but he joined the Gunners in November 1996. Carlo Ancelotti's autobiography needs no change of title for its inevitable next run - ‘I Prefer The Cup.’

Last weekend the former, Parma, Juventus and AC Milan boss by becoming the first debutant manager in the history of the Premiership to win the Premier League. Today he established himself as a Chelsea legend in his first season. He previously said that he needed to win silverware to keep his job. It must be safe now thanks to Man of the Match Didier Drogba – scorer of the only goal of the match.

Domination:

Chelsea must have wondered if they would ever beat England international goalkeeper David James or the woodwork until Drogba showed how to use it to his advantage with just under an hour gone. With just under an hour gone Drogba chose placement rather than power. His finish was inch perfect, just eluding James’ fingertips and hitting the inside of the post for the only goal of the match.

They must wonder how their domination failed to yield more goals, but in the end one was enough to beat a determined Portsmouth side – many of whom have played their last match for the club. Faced with crippling debts of almost £140m Portsmouth have to let players go that have done nothing wrong. They have not been paid since unscrupulous owners bought and sold the club repeatedly this season.

Chelsea concluded an amazing first half display goalless, despite having hit the woodwork no less than five times. “Strange to hit posts five times in one half,” said Ancelotti. “Never happened in my career to hit post five times in first half.” Frank Lampard began the trend with just under a quarter of an hour gone. Fed by Nicolas Anelka over 25 yards out Lampard let fly a vicious swerving effort that comfortably beat James, but not the crossbar.

Strange Take:

Even more strangely, Portsmouth manager Avram Grant believed that his team deserved more than they got from the match. “They [Chelsea] are good team, but everyone in Portsmouth can be proud of our team,” Grant said before refusing to be drawn on his plans. “The future of the club is more important than my future. It’s a good club. If you see fans today – no competition.”

Despite Chelsea’s domination Portsmouth should have taken the lead ten minutes later when the speedy Ivorian forward Aruna Dindane broke free on the right flank and delivered an inviting cross which former Spurs midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng hit well. Frédéric Piquionne should have scored – off-side or not – but assistant referee John Flynn refused to spare his blushes.

Piquionne deflected Boateng’s effort with the goal-gaping only for Czech international Petr Čech to instinctively claw it away. He shouldn’t have had the opportunity, but Piquionne’s miss paled in comparison with that of Salomon Kalou less than five minutes later. Ashley Cole found space on the left of the area and presented Kalou with an unmissable chance – an open goal from inside the six yard box. Somehow, Kalou contrived to hit the crossbar.

A few minutes later John Terry leapt highest in the penalty area. His header beat James, but not the crossbar. The assault on the woodwork was interrupted briefly for a tangle between Michael Ballack and Aruna Dindane. A free-kick was given, but Boateng took exception and took revenge on the German midfielder’s calf shortly afterwards. Ballack stayed down for a few minutes. Boateng was deservedly booked by referee Chris Foy.

Man of the Match Didier Drogba took aim and let fly a fierce free-kick, but credit where it’s due, James’ fingertips did just enough to divert it onto the crossbar and it bounced onto the line. Assistant referee Shaun Proctor-Green was out of position, but the right decision was given. Most of the ball – not all of it was over the line. It wasn't a goal.

Within five minutes Drogba was through with just James to beat from a tight angle. He dinked it under James only for the post to intervene for the fifth time. There was just enough time for Ballack to succumb to his injury and be replaced by Brasilian Julliano Belletti.

Turning Point:

Quite how Chelsea went in at half time without scoring is a mystery, but Ancelotti didn’t panic. Ten minutes into the second half Portsmouth were gifted their best chance when the substitute mistimed his tackle to bring down Dindane – a clear penalty. Foy gave it, but Boateng’s spot kick was tame. Čech dived to his right, but Boateng’s penalty was so tame down the middle that the keeper had time to adjust and kick it clear as he fell. “Penalty was key moment,” said Ancelotti.

He was right. Chelsea broke and were awarded a freekick on the left flank about 25 yards out when South African international Aaron Mokoena brought Drogba down. Drogba placed it and struck it with pin-point precision just out of James’ reach, but hitting just the right side of the post to go in off it. Ancelotti praised his difference-making striker. “He finished as he started with goals and ability.” It was Drogba’s thirty-seventh of the season.

Pompey had half an hour to try to turn it round, but their best chances came after the introduction of Algerian Nadir Belhadj’s crosses tested the Chelsea defence, but also fellow substitute John Utaka and Dindane. The equaliser would not come,but nor would the sedcond that would settle the issue even from the penalty spot.

An unnecessary challenge in the box by Michael Brown sent Lampard tumbling. He picked himself up and took the spot kick. James was not required to make a save, but with just three minutes to hold on it didn't matter.

Making History:

There was a lot of history made today. Ancelotti has established himself as a legend. No other Chelsea manager has won the double. No debutant manager had won it in their first season. No manager had been so successful in their first season here and not been recognised by his peers, but Ancelotti was modest and affable as always. “Fantastic victory for me,” he said. “I’m very happy. First time for me in England. I had very good career with fantastic clubs.”

Both Grant and Ancelotti criticised the pitch – the eleventh time it has been relaid and with England’s 2018 World Cup bid lodged the state of the pitch will be a concern that must be resolved. But there was more history. Portsmouth lost their first FA Cup final at Wembley for over three quarters of a century. Ashley Cole won a record sixth FA Cup winner’s medal and Chelsea became the sixth club to retain the trophy.

But there was also history that was not made. Had Pompey defied the odds, they would have been the first club in administration to have won the prestigious trophy and the first club relegated from the top flight to win it. Four other clubs had failed before. But today belonged to Chelsea and even more to Carlo Ancelotti.