A cynic might say that predictably, Sunday's fantastic Carling Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea in Cardiff was overshadowed by off-field incidents.

However, the first one no one could have predicted. Chelsea's luckless, fearless captain John Terry was once again forced off the field, this time by a horrific, crunching kick to the side of his head from Abou Diaby, who just managed to clear a bouncing ball as Terry went to attack it with his head. As his eyes rolled into the back of his head and his body started convulsing, players form both teams frantically urged the medical staff onto the field. Careful not to move the England captain, medics attended him for fully five minutes before taking him away. Terry woke up on the way to the hospital and later returned to join the team's post-game celebrations; he says he has no recollection of anything after walking out onto the field for the second half.

Tied at one apiece after Terry's departure, Chelsea took the game to Arsenal for the majority of the second half until Didier Drogba decided the game in the 83rd minute with a powerful header from an Arjen Robben cross. It was his second of the game and 27th on the season. As Chelsea tried to close out the game, frustrations mounted. Substitute John Obi Mikel lashed out at a clumsy challenge from Arsenal's Kolo Toure, inciting a brawl between the teams. Later, Mikel, Toure and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Aadebayor were ejected for fighting. The latter was so livid with the decision he had to be escorted off. The English Football Association will take a closer look at the incidents this week; fines are likely. Both Mikel and Adebayor have appealed their red cards. Read the original story...