Well, I watched the match again, and I just realized that there was a Chelsea hero that no one knows. If you watch the PK taken by Robben in the 7th minute of the first 15 minute extra time, just before he takes the kick a Chelsea fan throws out a beach ball, which ends up not far from the right post.

Did the beach ball mess up Robben's shot?

Maybe no, Maybe yes, but in any event it could have, and credit to that Chelsea fan/hero who will probably always remain unknown.

Note: I do not condone such behavior, especially fans shining laser lights in the eyes of the keeper when a PK is taken. In this case, I think it was not meant to mess up Robben, but that is just my guess.

Edited May 20, 201214 yr by Phillip

I was watching carefully to see if the person was escorted out afterwards. I didn't see that happen.

Did anyone down our end see if they got kicked out?

If Tommy Ovrebo was the referee, he would have had the PK retaken, for the beach ball interfering with Robben's mindset.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned Mikel took the ball away from Robben and wouldn't give it back to him.

Tom when was this?

Watching the replays I missed when the ball was thrown but it becomes so prominent as Cech makes the save.

Watching it live the cheer in the bar was delayed for a second because the big ball behind Cech made you lose focus on the little one beneath him.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned Mikel took the ball away from Robben and wouldn't give it back to him.

He also psyched him out. Mikel apparently said: "I went up to him [Robben] and said it [he'll miss the penalty] in his ear. I told him Petr knew where he was going to kick it."

Don't know about you guys, but I fully support Mikel here. If Robben can't handle that, well then he's not good enough. The lazer thing is pretty sh*tty though.

i saw the ball right away and im sure a chelsea fan threw it to mess up robbens focus

It worked okay in the end but a stupid thing to do in my opinion, some referees would have ordered a retake.

Theres a saying out there about how a good sportsman doesn't blame his tools, well I feel a good sportsman shouldn't blame anything for their failure. Its easy to say the beachball put him off but for the game of his life, surely he should've been right on target even if Petr was dancing naked with a santa's hat on? No fault but his own, sad for him but good for us.

He also psyched him out. Mikel apparently said: "I went up to him [Robben] and said it [he'll miss the penalty] in his ear. I told him Petr knew where he was going to kick it."

well you can see mikel talking to robben just before robben puts the ball on the spot

Football is all about mind games. If you're not mentally strong enough to overcome these, then you need to be on the lookout for an alternative profession.

Edited May 21, 201214 yr by Greg

I have watched this match more than three times in my cable TV, yet I did not notice this incident.

Nevertheless, I do not support the action. It is giving more ammunitions to Oppositions and Sport Article writers out there who love to dig this kind of accident.

It is not a Chelsea way to win things

I noticed the yellow beach ball and thought somebody had possibly thrown it to put Robben off.

To what extent it actually did work we will probably never know. But as we all know Robben had his penalty saved by Cech.

Have to say I feel for Robben. He had lot of extra baggage to carry in the game being an old Chels. Fair play to Mikel. He just loves Robbies Italian setup. I was very impressed how he contolled the ball in the tense final. Cool and experienced.

First time I saw it, for a second I thought it was the ball, that had been pushed out.

First time I saw it, for a second I thought it was the ball, that had been pushed out.

me too, i was very confused at first. i thought that was the ball, then i saw the real ball . . . for a couple of seconds i had no idea what the hell was going on

Proabably the most underrated story of the game.

I wish the person hadn't done it but who knows maybe it did distract him in which case I'm happy he did.

Still doesn't take away from a brilliant save by Cech.