Fate delivers European Cup to United

(CNN) -- Manchester United took home the prize and the plaudits after Wednesday's dramatic Champions League final against Chelsea, but United coach Alex Ferguson will not want to dwell for long on the moments that almost cost his side the title.

If the European Cup was awarded for form and consistency over a season then United would be worthy winners. They stormed through the group stage of the Champions League and were impressive against strong opponents -- Lyon, Roma and Barcelona -- in the knockout rounds.

In the English Premier League they were the best side throughout the season, despite Arsenal's early effervescence and Chelsea's late challenge.

Yet United's victory in Moscow -- which clinched the club's third European Cup -- would not have been possible without several large doses of luck.

With just 13 minutes left, the score tied at 1-1 and Chelsea dominant, the Londoners were denied when Didier Droba's spectacular strike richocheted off the corner of crossbar and post.

In extra time, Frank Lampard's brilliant spin and shot rattled the underside of the bar and bounced to safety. Then, on penalties, John Terry's slip on the wet surface -- his misplaced shot hitting the post -- gave United a reprieve just as it seemed that Cristiano Ronaldo was to be cast as an unlikely villain.

"When we missed the penalty kick (from Ronaldo) I thought we were in trouble but overall I thought we deserved the win," said Ferguson. "In the second half they had more control but in extra time we were better. It's a fantastic achievement from the players."

It could have been a very different night that would have sealed United in European Cup legend. Eager and effective in the early stages, Ronaldo's headed opener and toying with Chelsea fullback Michael Essien had set the stage for a virtusoso night.

A wonderful move soon afterwards involving Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez almost gave United the second goal that could have killed the game. Tevez came close again minutes later as Chelsea reeled listlessly.

But Avram Grant's resilient side played their way back into the match with customary stubbornness, levelling through Frank Lampard's opportunistic strike before halftime and only once looking troubled in the remaining 75 minutes when Terry acrobatically headed clear Ryan Giggs' goalbound effort.

Stalemate set the scene for United keeper Edwin van der Sar to be the hero, saving from Nicolas Anelka to clinch the title for United.

But having lost on penalties in the 1996 final with Ajax against Juventus and in the semifinals of the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships, the Dutchman admitted that winning on spot kicks had been far from ideal.

"We didn't really want penalties but when the moment comes you know you can be a hero... I lost one on penalties so I know it's hard... When I lost the Champions League final in 1996 I was heartbroken and didn't leave the house for three days so it's good this has gone my way... Life and football can change on small things."

Ultimately though, few will begrudge United a victory in a match which had become so emotionally tied to the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash in which 23 people including eight members of United's celebrated "Busby Babes" side were killed as they were flying home from a European Cup tie in Belgrade.

It also came 40 years after the side built on the remnants of that team -- including Bobby Charlton who led United up to collect the trophy on Wednesday -- themselves beat Benfica to win the European Cup for the first time.

"I said yesterday we wouldn't let the memory of the Busby Babes down," Ferguson said. "Fate played its hand today. Even John Terry slipping (in the shoot-out) is a bit of fate. I just felt it was on our side this season. We had a cause which is important and people with causes become very difficult people to fight against."