PCMT Final Result

Real Muppets 0

The Fabulous Artisans 4
Gervinho 8                
Baines 51p
Sorensen [c]
J.Collins [c]

(no cleans cancelled)

Real Muppets - Reina; Vermaelen, A.Cole, Koscielny, Agger; Meireles, Malouda, Gutierrez, Brunt; Agbonlahor, Sturridge  Subs - B.Jones; Lescott; McClean; Delfouneso

The Fabulous Artisans - Sorensen; Baines, J.Collins, King, Skrtel; Downing, Albrighton, Adam Johnson, Ireland; Balotelli, Gervinho  Subs - Begovic, Boyata, Shelvey, Hoilett

Wembley Stadium     Att: 90,000

Top of the league Fabulous Artisans were undoubted favourites going into their first final against the bottom-placed Muppets and it took just eight minutes for Ben's team to frank the form and open the scoring. Gervinho beat the Muppets' offside trap, rounded the 'keeper and found the corner to give his team the perfect start. The rest of the first half was fairly uneventful. The Muppets' Daniel Sturridge and Chris Brunt fired shots from distance narrowly wide while Mario Balotelli's deflected free-kick almost doubled the lead.

The Artisans' second goal came shortly after the break and in controversial circumstances. A penalty box tumble saw the referee point to the spot when TV replays showed there was no contact by any of the Muppets' defenders. Thomas Vermaelen earned himself a booking for the strength of his complaints but the delay didn't put off Leighton Baines whose penalty was emphatically blasted home. Ryan's team's feeling of injustice sprang them into action straight away, great work from Gabby Agbonlahor down the left saw him put a cross into the 'corridor of uncertainty' and the Muppets' attack was only thwarted by Thomas Sorensen sticking out a leg.

A couple of minutes later Balotelli almost put the game beyond doubt but his 30-yard effort came back off the bar. After that it was all the Muppets. Sturridge, Vermaelen, Raul Meiereles and Thomas Vermaelen were all denied by excellent goalkeeping and even in injury time Daniel Agger saw his goalbound header hacked off the Artisans' goal line. That was the last action and a couple of cleans for Ben's side put a slightly unjust slant on the scoreline. The Goddard Stadium fans won't be worried about that when the open top bus drives around Old Town with the trophy on display.