Chelsea beat Liverpool to claim FA Cup

Chelsea resisted a late onslaught from Liverpool to claim their fourth FA Cup in six years. (AFP Photo)

Ramires gave Chelsea the lead on 11 minutes as he collected a pass from Juan Mata, shrugged off Jose Enrique with ease and then took advantage of shoddy goalkeeping from Pepe Reina to lash home at the near post.

Liverpool might have got back into the match almost immediately, only for Branislav Ivanovic to thwart Craig Bellamy's fierce volley on 14 minutes with a gutsy block. (AFP Photo)

Liverpool started the second half more purposefully but Chelsea delivered a hammer blow on 52 minutes when Drogba pounced, rifling home a low left-foot shot after being picked out in space by Lampard.

Drogba, who looked purposeful from the start was instrumental in his side's victory. (AFP Photo)

Liverpool responded immediately by bringing on Carroll for the ineffectual Spearing. The £35 million ($56.5m) striker soon made an impact as he pounced on after Jose Bosingwa's clearance ricocheted into his path, wrong-footing Terry to fire high into the net. (AFP Photo)

Liverpool pressed on hard after the goal and forced some nervous moments for Chelsea with both Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez going close. Petr Cech however kept Chelsea in the lead. (AFP Photo)

Carroll was then denied his headed equaliser eight minutes from time even as he burst into celebration. He believed that the ball had crossed the goal-line, the referee thought otherwise. (AFP Photo)

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish reacts after Carroll was denied the goal. (AFP Photo)

In the end, Chelsea's performance was enough to seal the title for them. (AFP Photo)

Ashley Cole celebrates the win with the trophy. (AFP Photo)

Petr Cech with the FA Cup trophy. (AFP Photo)

Chelsea players greet Fabrice Muamba who watched the match from the stands after recovering from his heart ailment. (AFP Photo)

Chelsea players lift manager Roberto Di Matteo after their FA Cup triumph. (AFP Photo)