MANCHESTER UNITED
Van der Sar - 7.5: Slipshod at times, which can't have inspired the back four, although that was a mutually reciprocal relationship occasionally. All that changed during the shoot-out, where he was an absolute titan: if that could be rated alone, it would be a 9.
Brown - 7: A bit nervy at times in defence to start, but a tremendous influence going forward: his cross for Ronaldo was well-placed, for example. Overall it was a good showing.
Ferdinand - 6.5: A couple of errors that could have proved costly aside, Ferdinand was a positive influence for United. Set-piece defending was strong.
Vidic - 7: A very nervous beginning, but he improved considerably as the game progressed. Began to play with brash confidence towards the 90 minute mark and was integral in keeping Drogba crowded out. Temper ran high at the end.
Evra - 8: Grew into the game well as it progressed. Enabled by Ronaldo to come forward to decent effect. Seldom found wanting in terms of position.
Hargreaves - 7: An energetic start, and one that repaid Fergie's faith in him. Adjusted well to the tactical alterations as the game went on.
Carrick - 5.5: Started well, but practically vanished after the 30-minute mark - something United paid a heavy price for. Lost Frank Lampard for Chelsea's goal, and was overrun for much of the second half. Wasteful with his "killer" passes.
Scholes - 6.5: A cynical challenge on Makelele early in the first half very nearly put paid to his evening as he came off worse - he made up for it by playing Brown through to set up Ronaldo for the first goal. A very experienced showing although he trailed off badly. Probably kept on longer than he should have been.
Ronaldo - 7: An absolutely beautiful header to open the scoring: his positioning and jump were both sublime. Faded as Chelsea changed their shape in the second half. Handed a massive reprieve in that his penalty miss will not haunt him forever, but detractors will have found more to sink their teeth into.
Tevez - 6: Anonymous, except when he hit one shot Cech-wards and slid in to miss another. Credit to him for twice getting into a good position but otherwise he did little. Should have closed the game out really, and could have paid the ultimate price.
Rooney - 6: Quiet overall in the first half, but capable of some magical play nonetheless: his diagonal long ball to Ronaldo was utterly perfect. Looks comfortable at the very highest level - sometimes too comfortable.
Substitutions
Giggs - 6.5: A positive introduction to the game, but not quite able to make the breakthrough.
Nani - 5.5: Capable of the odd run and pass, but for the most part Chelsea had him neutralised effectively.
Anderson - N/A: Not enough time to do anything.
CHELSEA
Cech - 7.5: Helpless at the first goal and a bit tentative thereafter, but showed his worth with that teriffic double-save to prevent United from doubling the score. Had a good shoot-out, despite the outcome.
Essien - 6: He's been impressive at right-back recently, but he was shown to be well and truly out of his element when it mattered. He was skipped past once before Ronaldo rose above him to head the opener. So flat-footed at times. Made up in part with the assist.
Carvalho - 5.5: Prone to going walkabout. Anonymous for vast spells of the game - just when Chelsea needed his calming influence.
John Terry - 7.5: Great in the air as always. Couldn't do it all himself to prevent the first goal. Steady play for the most part. That "save" from Ryan Giggs at the end will be the stuff of legend. His part in the late melee was ill-advised. Desperately unlucky to lose his footing during the spot-kick frenzy.
Ashley Cole - 6.5: Another player who only settled in after the opening thirty-minute onslaught. When he did, though, he did so with the greatest of ease.
Ballack - 6.5: A mixed bag: the occasional fine through ball or piece of buildup play, but found wanting otherwise. Didn't dominate in the way that he should have done, and got far too many of his shots off target.
Makelele - 6: He just had very little to do in the first half . United's style of play saw him bypassed - doubtless their intention - and he doesn't quite have the nous to impose himself otherwise. However, the second half was much more to his liking and he improved.
Lampard - 7.5: Brilliantly positioned to take advantage of the deflections that led towards the goal. His passing was crisp, which was refreshing to watch. Shouldn't have got involved in the "rammy" at the end.
Joe Cole - 5: Almost completely anonymous in the first period. Held his position well, though: he offered little going forward but defensively Grant can have few complaints - if that is what he wanted.
Drogba - 5: Could have done more - even his characteristic strength wasn't enough on the evening for most of the game. Still, he carved out a magnificent chance of his own and hit the woodwork with it. As for the red card, someone once said something about players being headless chicken. Would probably have received at least 7 had he stayed on, and who knows, he might have taken that fifth penalty.
Malouda - 6.5: The occasional great moment on the ball, and some good deliveries. Dropped back well in the second period. Still, he didn't quite have that touch of class.
Substitutes
Kalou - 6: A decent showing, and on the balance of things probably a good substitution for Grant to make.
Anelka - 5: Just what Chelsea needed when he came on in terms of being an imposing presence: sadly he didn't make the most of his chance.
Belletti - N/A: Too late to make an impact. Well-taken penalty, though.
REFEREE
Lubos Michel - 7: Mostly kept the game flowing. Got some corner/throw decisions wrong, but that was largely down to the linesmen. Inconsistency during the melee: booked Tevez for a shove but declined to do the same to Carvalho (who was already on a yellow card.) That said, he and his linesmen were at least quick to react to what was an escalating - and a shameful - situation.