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      Arsenal’s FA Cup final clash with Chelsea feels eerily unreal compared to raucous Cardiff in 2002

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      DON’T get me wrong, I grew up dreaming of playing at Wembley — and whether it was the old or new stadium it was always special.
      But the thing I remember about this 2002 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was the decibel levels pitchside.

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      Sol Campbell celebrates winning the FA Cup alongside Tony Adams in 2002
      The way the stadium has been built, it retains the atmospherics in the middle.
      So the noise of the fans made it virtually impossible to talk or shout to team-mates during the game. It was quite incredible.
      And that was with the retractable roof open!
      To try to convey a message to my left-back or right-back, a distance away, I had to adapt and use body language and watch more intently than I would do normally to cover the lack of anyone hearing me.

      It was completely alien to my normal game.
      It’s amazing to think more than 18 years after that ferocious, deafening, cacophony in the Welsh capital, tonight the same two clubs will walk out to a wall of silence at Wembley.
      The whole thing feels eerily unreal.

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      Arsenal celebrate beating Man City in the semi-final

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      Chelsea beat Manchester United to get into the final
      This was my first FA Cup final and, like so many other youngsters, the magic of the FA Cup was imprinted in me growing up.

      When I started playing and competing at the highest level, I hoped I would get the chance to get to the final and experience what I had watched in awe as an impressionable lad.
      I was lucky enough to win the FA Cup four times and all three of them are very special in so many ways.
      But this first one stands out because everything was new to me.
      And we won the game with two of the most wonderful goals, in the way you would want to win an FA Cup final.
      I look back with such fondness on this match.
      It was a great pleasure to be part of that Arsenal side with so many players who had the ability to produce that bit of skill and a moment that would win you a game.

      It’s amazing to think more than 18 years after that ferocious, deafening, cacophony in the Welsh capital, tonight the same two clubs will walk out to a wall of silence at Wembley.
      Sol Campbell

      How would I describe our first scorer Ray Parlour? In a word — committed.
      The guy had a lung capacity that never ceased to amaze me.
      But beyond that effort, he had a consistency, game after game, that was infectious.
      This was a real nip and tuck match against a quality Chelsea side who went close a couple of times.
      Then with 20 minutes remaining it was Ray’s typical tenacity that got him upfield.
      Picking up the ball from Sylvain Wiltord inside Chelsea’s half in a central position, he had the confidence to hold on to it.
      Then as other team-mates got forward to take defenders away, he got himself into a position where he finished with the most beautifully struck curling shot from over 25 yards out that gave keeper Carlo Cudicini no chance.

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      Campbell in an aerial battle with Chelsea’s Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
      Ten minutes later — and not to be outdone — Freddie Ljungberg picked the ball up just inside the Chelsea half.
      He forced his way past John Terry, before unleashing another fantastic arc of a shot on the edge of the area that curled around Cudicini again.
      Moments of sublime magic that just turned the game into our favour.
      I can remember feeling all sorts of emotion at the end.
      Beyond elation, I was relieved that we had won the game.
      But then, three days later, we knew we still had to go to Old Trafford and try to seal the Premier League title.

      Of course, happily we won at Old Trafford 1-0 with a goal from Wiltord to clinch the Double before our final match of the season against Everton.
      There was plenty of champagne at the Millennium Stadium, but I think I ended up getting sprayed with more of it than I actually swigged!
      It was a boyhood ambition realised and to be surrounded by such a wonderful side and fans, everything just felt right.

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      Campbell pictured while managing Southend Credit: Rex Features

      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says the Gunners must win the FA Cup if they are to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang More

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      Frank Lampard Sr upset at watching Chelsea’s final showdown with Arsenal ‘like a miserable b******’ at home

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      AN FA Cup final at Wembley is usually a joyous occasion for the Lampard family.
      Between them, the Chelsea manager and his father have a record of played six, won six.

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      Frank Lampard Sr will watch the FA Cup final at home in Romford

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      Lampard Jr has guided Chelsea to the FA Cup final in his first season in charge of the Blues
      Yet today will be different.
      When his son’s side take on Arsenal, Frank Lampard Sr — who rarely missed a match his son had been involved in prior to lockdown — will be sitting alone ‘like a miserable b*d’ at his Romford house.
      Lampard Sr, 71, runs The Nightingale pub in Wanstead, where he has ensured drinkers can watch the big match on a screen outside in the sunshine.
      But following his boy’s progress has become a solitary experience for Lampard Sr, since the death of his wife, Pat, 12 years ago.

      He said: “The punters in the pub are ringing up asking ‘have you got the game on?’
      “There will be a screen outside but I won’t be there. I get nervous.
      “My daughter lives round the corner but they’ll watch it at theirs and I’ll sit here on my own like a miserable b*****d.

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      Frank Sr, left, won the FA Cup twice with West Ham, in 1975 and 1980

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      Lampard Jr, pictured with John Terry, won the FA Cup on four occasions
      “Even if I watched with them, I wouldn’t be comfortable. Even if Chelsea could get me in at Wembley, it wouldn’t feel right.

      “It’s the supporters I feel sorry for — football is their lives and they are missing it badly.
      “I watched Frank play home and away and always went on my own. Pals would say ‘we’ll come for the ride with you’ but it never happened, I didn’t want it.
      “I’m just thinking about the game all the way there and back. When he was playing I got far more nervous than when I played.
      “I went to virtually every match he played for Chelsea, Manchester City and when he started off managing at Derby.
      “Even when Frank played in the States (for New York City FC), I’d fly over, stay one night then fly home.”
      Lampard Sr won two FA Cups as a West Ham left-back.
      He scored the 1980 semi-final replay winner against Everton at Leeds with a rare header, and celebrating by dancing around the corner flag.

      My daughter lives round the corner but they’ll watch it at theirs and I’ll sit here on my own like a miserable b*****d.
      Frank Lampard Sr

      For years, that goal was celebrated at Upton Park, to the tune of White Christmas.
      Fans sang: ‘I’m dreaming of a Frank Lampard, just like the one at Elland Road, when the ball came over, and Frank fell over, and scored the f*g winning goal.’
      Lampard aped his father’s corner-flag celebration when he scored the winner against the same opposition in the 2009 Cup final.
      “It was a year after his mum died and it was still very fresh in the mind,” said Lampard Sr, “So I felt very emotional when he did that celebration.”
      Lampard Jr started out at West Ham in 1995, with his dad as assistant manager and his uncle Harry Redknapp as boss.
      Yet far from welcoming ‘one of their own’, many Hammers fans believed the younger Lampard only played because of nepotism.
      Four years after he left for Chelsea in 2001, Lampard was a title winner and Ballon d’Or runner-up.

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      Lampard Sr, a left-back, played nearly 700 games for West Ham from 1967 to 1985
      Yet before his £11million switch to Stamford Bridge, where he would become Chelsea’s all-time record scorer, came a sliding-doors moment in his dad’s back garden.
      Lampard Sr added: “The West Ham thing is a shame. I was born round the corner from the ground and played there for all those (18) years.
      “Punters are punters but it went too far with Frank.
      “We were sitting in this garden when he got a phone call saying Chelsea wanted him.

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      SunSport’s Dave Kidd spoke with Frank Sr ahead of the FA Cup final
      “Leeds were in for him and they might have been a better team. Rio Ferdinand had moved there and that was a pull for him.
      “If there’d been no interest from Chelsea, he’d have gone to Leeds. He could have gone round that corner flag a few times!
      “Chelsea was a step up and a dream move, although we couldn’t have known the big man (Roman Abramovich) would come in two years later.
      “And Jose Mourinho really pushed him up a level.
      “He used great kidology. Kept telling him ‘you’re the best, you’re the best’.
      “Frank wasn’t the best. But if you tell someone often enough and they believe it and they have dedication, it’s amazing what they can achieve.”
      Lampard Sr admits he was often tough on his son.

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      Lampard Sr rarely missed a match his son had been involved in prior to lockdown
      He said: “I think he didn’t like me a lot of the time. I could be a bit of a taskmaster. I would have got on his nerves.
      “We went to a game for his Sunday side, Romford Royals, he wasn’t happy, and all of a sudden, we were nearly home and he started crying.
      “I thought ‘f*g hell’ I can’t go home with him like that, his mum will go mad’.
      “So we drove around for another half-hour, to get the eyes sorted out.
      “In the end, as soon as his mum looked at him she said ‘what’s gone on?’ She knew.
      “Even when he played for Chelsea, I was critical.
      “I’d go to every game and on the way back he’d ring and say ‘OK what are you going to pick up on now.’”
      Lampard was propelled into the Chelsea job after just one year as Derby boss.
      But, despite a transfer ban, he has guided the club to a top-four finish as well as the Cup final.

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      Lampard led Chelsea to a top-four finish and cup final finish in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge
      And his father added: “I always thought Frank was managerial material. He’s bright, he can talk to the media and directors.
      “I didn’t think the Chelsea job would happen so quickly but, when it did, I knew he’d give the kids a crack.
      “Chelsea always had good youth teams, but players went on loan and then on the missing list.
      “The punters always appreciate youth products getting a chance.”
      Yet Lampard hauled off three of his younger players — Mason Mount, Billy Gilmour and Reece James — at half-time in the 1-0 quarter-final win at Leicester.
      Lampard Sr said: “When he made three subs I thought ‘f*g hell’ — but it worked.

      “He can make tough decisions. He can be ruthless. He knows you cannot be everybody’s friend.”
      Then there was the recent touchline spat with Jurgen Klopp during Chelsea’s 5-3 defeat at Anfield — when he told the Liverpool boss to ‘f*** off and sit down’.
      “Oh yeah,” smiles Lampard Sr, “You can take the boy out of Romford . . . ”

      Frank Lampard says Willian will give his all for Chelsea in the FA Cup final, despite Arsenal transfer links More

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      Chelsea and Man Utd transfer boost as Leicester’s top-four flop opens door for Ben Chilwell exit

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      LEICESTER’S failure to secure Champions League football is set to cost them the chance to persuade Ben Chilwell his future remains at the club.
      Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in the England star.

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      Leicester’s failure to secure Champions League football is set to cost them the chance to persuade Ben Chilwell his future remains at the club
      The Foxes had hoped to be able to offer top-level European football as a carrot to convince him to stay at the King Power.
      But their late-season collapse saw a top-four finish slip through their fingers with 23-year-old Chilwell’s two suitors making the cut instead.
      There would be more money on offer if Chilwell did push for a move but that is not the only factor in making his mind up.
      He also wants to cement his place as England’s first-choice left-back with the Euros looming — and Champions League football helps his cause. 

      But manager Brendan Rodgers went on record to announce Chilwell is not for sale.
      He said: “He’s not a player we want to lose. I’m quite relaxed on it. I’m not worried at all.
      “We’ve got a fantastic squad that we want to keep together so I don’t worry.
      “You can spin it whichever way you want. There is no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there is absolutely no need for us to sell Ben Chilwell.

      “If you want a message, the message is he’s not for sale.”
      Leicester have decided against the permanent signing of Wolves centre-back Ryan Bennett.
      The Foxes had the option to buy him for £5million but he will now return to Molineux.

      Andy Jacobs is no fan of Chelsea’s goalkeeper Kepa who he thinks is the worst in English football More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea to be handed extended break next summer and start Prem season late after European qualification

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea will receive an extended break before the start of the next Premier League season.
      Both the Red Devils and the Blues secured Champions League football next season on the Premier League’s final day.

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      Manchester United could be set for some extra time off thanks to their European runCredit: AP:Associated Press
      They could be rewarded with an extended lay-off thanks to new top-flight proposals.
      Sky Sports suggest the Premier League are likely to give all clubs currently involved in European competitions a guaranteed 30 days off.
      This would come into force from the day after their last European fixture and is designed to give players a chance to recover.
      League runners-up Man City and Wolves are also set to benefit from the time off.

      The proposal will be discussed at the next Premier League AGM due to take place on August 6.
      And should it be ratified it could see some of the league’s top sides start the new campaign up to TEN days late.
      If Man City or Chelsea reach the Champions League final on Sunday August 23, then they would not be back in domestic action until Tuesday September 22.
      A full ten days after the scheduled start of the 2020/21 season on September 12.

      United and Wolves can both qualify for the Europa League showpiece on Friday August 21.
      A place in the final would ensure they were not required to start the new Prem season until Sunday September 20.
      Games would be delayed and held in midweek to account for the extra rest afforded to those still competing in Europe.

      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer anticipates next season’s challenge to compete in both Premier League and Champions League after securing top-tier European football on final day of season More

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      Watch Mason Mount score identical free-kick as a Chelsea kid to set-piece vs Wolves that helped clinch Champions League

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      MASON MOUNT scored a wonder free-kick to help Chelsea qualify for the Champions League – and it was years in the making.
      The England midfielder curled one into the top left corner at Stamford Bridge to open the scoring against Wolves.

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      Mason Mount curled in a free-kick against WolvesCredit: Getty – Pool

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      A young Mount scores an identical free-kick in Chelsea training Credit: Instagram @chelseafc

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      The midfielder bends one into the top corner Credit: Instagram @chelseafc

      But the 21-year-old has long been practising the art of putting into the back of the net from set-pieces.
      Chelsea uploaded a throwback video of a youthful looking Mount striking one into the top bins.
      It proved to be perfect preparation years later as he bent an effort past Rui Patricio.
      Mount was also involved in the second goal as he played in Olivier Giroud, who did the rest to secure Chelsea a top-four finish.

      He converted his first free-kick of the season, taking his tally of goals to eight.
      Only Tammy Abraham, Willian, Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud have scored more times this season than Mount.
      Abraham finished as the Blues’ leading finisher with 17 goals, Willian in second with 11, Pulisic behind on 10 and Giroud with nine.

      Chelsea will hope to take their scoring form into the FA Cup final next week, as they face Arsenal.

      New signings Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner will be watching, with both already in London.
      Ziyech joined earlier and has started training with the Blues but Werner arrived just in time to watch the Blues beat Wolves.

      Mason Mount scores stunning free-kick in Chelsea training… and fans get VERY excited for season ahead More

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      Chelsea defender Rudiger slammed for ‘atrocious’ dive vs Wolves after going down softly under pressure from Jimenez

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      CHELSEA defender Antonio Rudiger was slammed after an “atrocious” dive against Wolves.
      The German was marking Raul Jimenez and went down in a heap after the Wolves striker motioned towards him.

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      Antonio Rudiger was slammed after an ‘atrocious’ dive against Wolves

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      The German was marking Raul Jimenez and went down in a heap after the Wolves striker motioned towards him
      Rudiger was accused of trying to get Jimenez sent off as fans on Twitter called out the centre-back.
      One said: “That Rudiger dive was atrocious! Don’t want him at the back next season.”
      Another said: “Rüdiger should at the very least be booked for trying to get Raul Jimenez sent off. Pathetic.”
      One added: “Rudiger that’s a dive. Dreadful from you.”

      Another said: “Good dive attempt by Rudiger. I respect it.”

      Rüdiger should at the very least be booked for trying to get Raul Jimenez sent off. Pathetic. #CHEWOL
      — Naz (@BigNxz) July 26, 2020

      That Rudiger dive was atrocious! Don’t want him at the back next season #CHEWOL
      — legend (@handsomefella98) July 26, 2020

      😂😂 Rudiger that’s a dive. Dreadful from you.
      — TomSweeney (@TCGSweeney13) July 26, 2020

      Good dive attempt by Rudiger. I respect it.
      — Rob Usry (@RobUsry) July 26, 2020

      rudiger interesting dive
      — oliver🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@swfcoliverr) July 26, 2020

      The collision went to VAR but Jimenez was cleared off any dangerous play and Rudiger got away scott free for simulation.
      He could face a ban in retrospect should he be found guilty of diving, which would rule him out of the FA Cup final next weekend against Arsenal.
      Rudiger – who was sidelined for five months at the start of the season – has suffered inconsistent form since the Premier League restart last month.

      Now his Blues future remains up in the air with manager Frank Lampard believed to be in the market for a centre-back next season – especially after securing Champions League football in the 2-0 home win.

      The 27-year-old – who joined the Blues from Roma in 2017 – still has two years left to run on his deal in West London.
      Chelsea are yet to offer the defender a new deal.
      It was understood discussions would be made during this term about Rudiger extending his stay, but talks are yet to be held.

      Chelsea legend Ivanovic drops and breaks the Russian Cup after Zenit’s victory in the final over FC Khimki More

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      Kepa willing to take a pay cut on £150,000-a-week to end his Chelsea torment with Atletico Madrid and Sevilla interested

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      KEPA is willing to take a pay cut if it helps end his Chelsea misery.
      The Spanish keeper came under fire again this week for his performance in the 5-3 defeat at Liverpool and is now resigned to leaving the club.

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      Kepa Arrizabalaga is willing to take a pay cut if it helps end his Chelsea misery
      The latest criticism comes on top of being dropped by boss Frank Lampard earlier in the season over a dip in form and continued speculation that Chelsea are looking at bringing in a replacement.
      Kepa, 25, who earns around £150,000 a week, is two years into a whopping six year contract and knows the terms of his deal at Stamford Bridge make him an expensive buy for a new team.
      He has been linked with moves back home to Seville and more recently as part of a swap deal involving Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid.
      Chelsea paid a world-record £71.6million for Kepa in the summer of 2018 but while the young keeper loves life in London, is struggling to convince Lampard that he is cut out for the Premier League.

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      Kepa’s shocking stats in 2019-20
      Chelsea are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League today with a top four finish but have conceded 54 goals the season – more than any team in the top 11.
      The five let in at Anfield on Wednesday has only fuelled rumour that Lampard is looking to buy a new keeper during the summer transfer window which opens tomorrow and runs until October 5.
      In addition to Oblak, Burnley’s Nick Pope and Manchester United’s promising young keeper Dean Henderson, on loan at Sheffield United, have been linked with Chelsea.
      Chelsea even sniffed around Borussia Dortmund keeper Roman Burki until he signed a new deal with the Bundesliga club.

      Kepa would prefer to maintain his existing personal terms with a move but is ready to swallow a reduction in pay if the ‘project’ at a new club excites him.
      Chelsea need a point this afternoon in their final match of the season against Wolves to secure Champions League football for next season.
      Wolves must win to ensure participation in next season’s Europa League but with only 51 goals has scored fewer than any of the top seven.

      Andy Jacobs is no fan of Chelsea’s goalkeeper Kepa who he thinks is the worst in English football More

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      How Chelsea will line up vs Liverpool with in-form Giroud set to keep place up front and Kante an injury doubt

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      CHELSEA travel to newly crowned champions Liverpool with the chance to secure Champions League qualification.
      And they do so riding high off the back of a 3-1 win over Manchester United, who rival them for a top four spot.

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      Frank Lampard will go into the trip to Anfield tomorrow night with a tactical decision to make on whether to stick or twist with his formation.
      The Blues boss set up with a 3-4-3 against United in the FA Cup final, a formation that brought them scoring opportunities throughout.
      But it’s the same shape Lampard was forced to ditch against Arsenal in December after 30 minutes, with Chelsea going on to win 2-1 after reverting to a back four.
      In between the posts Kepa Arrizabalaga’s place cannot be guaranteed, after Willy Caballero kept a clean sheet at Wembley.

      Arrizabalaga spent four games on the bench in the league after Caballero impressed against Hull in the cup at the start of the year.
      The Spaniard has conceded nine goals in the six games since the Premier League restart, with only two clean sheets.

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      Whoever starts in goal can be expected to have Antonio Rudiger and Kurt Zouma at centre-back, following good displays against United and Norwich.
      Cesar Azpilicueta should keep his place also, whether that be in the back three or as a full-back.

      Should a 3-4-3 formation be deployed Reece James and Marcos Alonso will find themselves operating the wing back positions.
      But based off James’ performance last weekend, he would be favoured to start at right-back if a back four is chosen, with Azpilicueta shifted to the left.
      Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic led Chelsea’s midfield excellently at Wembley, but the return of Christian Pulisic could force one out of the starting 11.
      If Pulisic is started on the left wing, Mason Mount can be expected to move back into midfield following his recent run of form.

      Alternatively, if a 4-3-3 is chosen Jorginho, Kovacic and Mount could feature in a three-man midfield.
      N’Golo Kante is still injured and Ross Barkley, who has two goals since the restart, is also available along with Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
      Whether Mount or Pulisic start on the left, Willian is expected to keep his place on the right with in-form Giroud leading the line.

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      Olivier Giroud can be expected to keep his place in the starting 11 Credit: Reuters

      Inside Wembley tunnel as Man Utd star Mata reunites with old Chelsea pals More