Driven Drogba dreaming on

Striker Didier Drogba insisted there will be no let-up from Chelsea FC after a 3-2 win against Liverpool FC set up a showdown with Manchester United FC in the final of the UEFA Champions League. "We're in the final, and now we have to win it," he said. "We've been working for this for a few years now so this is fantastic. It will be difficult, but we'll do everything to win."

First final
Drogba did just that in the semi-final second leg against Liverpool, scoring twice as Chelsea triumphed 3-2 after extra-time at a rain-soaked Stamford Bridge to advance 4-3 on aggregate. Seemingly energised by a war of words in the press prior to the match with Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez, he played like a man with a point to prove, making his presence felt in the early stages to help Chelsea wrest the initiative and reach their first UEFA Champions League final following defeats at this stage in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

Teamwork matters
Drogba opened the scoring with a fine low strike from a tight angle on 33 minutes before hitting what proved to be the decider at the end of the first period of extra-time to clinch Chelsea's place in the Moscow final. "I'm just happy because we won," he said. "I would have been very happy if someone else had scored as well. It's all about teamwork. I just try to do my maximum for the team and today and I was rewarded individually which is good."

Transfer rumours
It has been a difficult season for Drogba. His appearances have been restricted by injury and goals have been harder to come by as a consequence. In the Premier League he has scored just eight compared to 20 last season, though the UEFA Champions League remains a happy hunting ground, the Ivorian 30-year-old taking his tally to six for the season after his brace here. It was a sweet moment for Drogba who on Saturday had made the headlines for his on-field spat with Michael Ballack, fuelling rumours that he will be leaving the club in the summer.

Long memory
That, though, is for the future. For the moment, the focus is on getting the better of United - both in Moscow and in the Premier League. Drogba was part of the Olympique de Marseille side that lost to Benítez's Valencia CF in the 2004 UEFA Cup final and it is an experience he never wants to endure again. "I would prefer to lose a semi-final and be upset for two, three or four days, but losing a final stays for years," he said.

'Not bad'
"Now that we are there we have to win it. It will be really difficult. It doesn't matter if it is Man United, to lose a final is always difficult. [Beating United 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday] gave us a little bit of confidence because they are still the best team in England, they have the quality and a top manager, but we're not bad either."