Eight years ago, this month, Chelsea Football Club enjoyed their finest moment in the club's history after beating Bayern Munich on Penalties in the UEFA Champions League final. 

But on this day eight years ago, it was F.A. Cup success for the Blues after defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley via Ramires and Didier Drogba.  

Chelsea fans will forever be indebted to Roberto Di Matteo for that season, lifting the Champions League and F.A. Cup in the same season will remain one of the most rememberable looking back. 

What was Chelsea’s route to glory at the national stadium? 

Third round: Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth 

Fourth round: Queens Park Rangers 0-1 Chelsea  

Fifth round: Chelsea 1-1 Birmingham City  

Fifth round second leg: Birmingham City 0-2 Chelsea 

Quarter final: Chelsea 5-2 Leicester City  

Semi-final: Tottenham Hotspur 2-5 Chelsea 

Final: Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool 

Despite Drogba grabbing the headlines again with another goal in a final, he only made three appearances. When the Ivorian was called upon, he shown his worth after netting two goals. 

Who played the most games for Chelsea during the F.A. Cup run? Here’s the top five. 

Petr Cech – 7  

Over the years, switching the goalkeeper has become apparent in cup competitions, it’s seen as a chance to rest players and give lower squad members the chance to portray their ability on the pitch. For goalkeepers, it can be often be rewarded for their patience of being second choice. 

In this instance, this wasn’t the case. The Czech played every game for Chelsea, racking up two clean sheets in the process. In addition, the number one captained his side three times in the cup run, leading the team into the semi-final stage.  

Raul Meireles – 6  

The Portuguese played most of that season, participating in 30 Premier League games and 11 Champions League games. In total, the midfielder racked up six goals and seven assists in 48 outings.  

After making six appearances, Meireles was one of the most important players for Chelsea in the run, even chipping in with two goals and two assists. Ultimately, he would achieve domestic glory against his old side, after leaving Anfield in the summer of 2011.  

Ramires – 6  

Since his departure in 2016, Chelsea fans have a special place in their hearts for Ramires. The F.A. Cup win would top off a superb season for the Brazilian, who netted against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the Champions League semi-final.  

The number seven finished the F.A. Cup campaign joint top in terms of the goal charts. Bagging four goals in six games was a strong return, including a goal in the final, beating Pepe Reina at the near post. Furthermore, the athletic midfielder handed two assists.  

Juan Mata – 7  

It was a superb campaign for the Spaniard eight years ago. The month of May would conclude one of the best months in Mata’s career after silverware domestically, and winning the Champions League, assisting Drogba’s equaliser in Munich.  

The routine of ‘resting the big players’ didn’t happen in the case for the number 10. Four goals and four assists concluded a superb run individually, averaging a goal contribution in every game.  

Fernando Torres – 6  

Despite not living up to his £50million price tag, Torres’ Chelsea career included silverware. A Champions League medal, F.A. Cup and a Europa League accolade will sit well with the Spaniard.  

In the F.A. Cup run, which was almost a decade ago now, Torres was the opted striker. Two goals and four assists was an applaudable return for ‘El Nino’, who racked up 16 assists in all competitions for Chelsea in 2001/12 with 11 goals in 49 outings. 

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