Throwback: The last all English Champions League Final

There is a ‘Full English’ on the menu, as the Champions League Final pits together Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Reds are in their second consecutive final, aiming to win the competition for the 6th time in their history whilst Spurs are in their first ever final. To have two clubs from the same nation in the final is not unheard of, as in recent years we’ve even had an all-Madrid final, as well as Der Klassiker final, when Bayern met BVB at Wembley.

But it has been a while since two Premier League clubs shaped up against each other with the last time being in 2008, when a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Manchester United met Chelsea in Moscow. The memories of the game are damp, thanks to relentless Russian rain that night, plus tears from both United’s famous number 7 and Mr Chelsea, John Terry. Both of these players missed in a penalty shootout, with one’s misfortune being more severe than the other’s.

From the off, United had looked the better team. Fresh from wrapping up a league title that saw a front of talent three never seen before, with Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo combining regularly. Known for their attacking but counter-attacking style, a famous goal in the earlier knockout rounds against Arsenal, finished by Ronaldo, summed up the style of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2008 squad.

Chelsea meanwhile were in a period of transition, existing in a post-Mourinho world that was still lusting for Europe’s biggest prize. Defensively strong, with Claude Makelele in his custom-fit role in front of the back four, the Blues had the perfect balance for the likes of Frank Lampard and Drogba to attack with freedom.  All these qualities of both sides were present on a classic night in Moscow. Run the highlights…