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It's been a remarkable night here in Moscow as United's players embrace and Chelsea fall to the turf crestfallen. The rain is lashing down here but United's spirits are far from dampened. A wonderful occasion for English football and a final that will be remembered for many years to come. Many, many thanks for all your emails throughout the evening. They are much appreciated.

Manchester United are the new champions of Europe after winning 6-5 on penalties, after the game finished 1-1 after extra-time.

CHELSEA PEN Anelka has seen his penalty SAVED by Van der Sar. MANCHESTER UNITED have WON the Champions League on penalties.

UNITED PEN Giggs provides the perfect penalty on a historic night for the Welshman.

CHELSEA PEN Kalou beats Cech with a cool, cool penalty.

UNITED PEN Anderson thrashes the ball straight down the middle and beyond Cech.

CHELSEA PEN John Terry has MISSED as he slips on his run-up and hits the post.

UNITED PEN Nani just about slots the ball in the corner as Cech gets a touch on the ball.

CHELSEA PEN Ashley Cole sneaks the ball into the corner as Van der Sar got a firm hand on the ball.

UNITED PEN Hargreaves sticks a fine penalty into the top corner.

CHELSEA PEN Lampard just about beats Van der Sar with a low strike.

UNITED PEN Ronaldo has seen his penalty SAVED by Cech. A really poor penalty after a stutter.

CHELSEA PEN Belletti sends Van der Sar the wrong way.

UNITED PEN Carrick slots home nicely.

CHELSEA PEN Ballack scores with ease.

UNITED PEN Tevez sends Cech the wrong way and scores.

FULL-TIME Man United 1 Chelsea 1. It's penalties here in Moscow. Stay tuned and Linzie, I'd make yourself a brew.

120 - With penalties in mind Makelele has been replaced for Belletti. Wes Brown has come off for Anderson.

Let's have a winner for Linzie de Sousa's sake. She's stuck at work and her boyfriend won't pick her up until it's finished. You have my respects fella.

120 - Brilliant defensive header by Ashley Cole prevents Nani from reaching Giggs' clipped cross from the left. Both players are receiving treatment.

119 - It's all getting a little frenetic here as penalties loom on the horizon. Cramp is affecting both players, and my fingers, as the game closes in a bad-tempered fashion.

116 - A melee ensued out of nothing really and in the ensuing scrap Drogba flicked his hand into the face of Vidic. He took the long way off the field and has done himself no favours with his behaviour. Grant will be fuming as it was a totally out of synch with the rest of the game. Sheer stupidity on Drogba's part.

114 - It's all going off here as two sets of players go at it on the half-way line. Sensational stuff here - DROGBA has been SENT-OFF - Ballack and Tevez - BOOKED.

112 - Ronaldo takes a dive after a mazy run but the ref was bang on the spot again and said play-on. He's been excellent tonight the match official. With United on the up, a bright Tevez run came to nothing, before Ronaldo had a tepid block shot.

110 - Chelsea free-kick 30 yards from goal as Vidic badly mistimes a tackle on Anelka. It's a decent enough strike but wide of United's near post.

108 - The rain is lashing down here in Moscow as Evra clears deep in his own half. Vidic, who has been outstanding, looks dead on his feet as he draws a long breath.

106 - United have started brightly after a short interlude. Carrick, who faded badly in the second half, has shown a willingness to get on the ball. It is, though, still too tight to call at this stage.

105 - Extra-time half-time It's all square here and penalties are looking very much on the cards. In Moscow it's coming up to 1 in the morning so understandably the players look a little fatigued. It's a good job you're keeping them all awake. Russ Wilding in Dubai is hoping for a United win, as is Laura - who says she may lose her flat if Chelsea win. Good to see gambling is not restricted to just our office.

104 - Lampard clips in a free-kick which Brown puts behind for a corner. Chelsea have just enough time to take it but Carvalho heads a yard or so wide.

102 - Rooney replaced for Nani It's been a frustrating night for the player but to be fair to Fergie, Rooney did look tired as he trudged off the field. Giggs really should have scored before, if it had been on his left foot United would have had one hand on the trophy.

100 - Minutes on the clock here and Giggs has just missed a glorious chance for United. Evra made inroads down the left and from his pull-back the Welshman stabbed for goal, and with a wonderous piece of defending, John Terry headed off the line.

97 - Essien shot blocked after he joined the Chelsea attack on the overlap. The Blues are going for jugular as Joe Cole is replaced by Nicolas Anelka - who I suspect will go up top alongside Drogba.

Lampard gets his fair share of criticism but you can't deny he's a master at making space for himself. His last shot was a real trademark effort, turning quickly and striking with real venom. Joe Cole, on the rebound, couldn't control his volley as Van der Sar breathed a sigh of relief - not for the first time.

93 - Lampard cracks the bar with a superb effort after a brilliant move involving Cole and Ballack. United are off the hook again - is it their night in Moscow?

Grant makes his first change and it's like-for-like as Kalou comes on from Malouda. I've been quietly impressed with Kalou of late and could see him causing the odd moment of consternation.

Chelsea kick-off the first half of extra-time and hand the ball back to United, who will know they'll have to raise their game if the feats of 1968 and 1999 are to be repeated tonight.

Sam Randall has rejuvenated my flagging fatigue with the best email of the night. In full: "Here's hoping Chelsea win as my Man Utd supporting dirty dog ex has paid alot of money to go to Moscow!"

Full-time Man United 1 Chelsea 1 - Extra-time to follow

91 - Ronaldo puts in a fine cross but Ashley Cole stands firm and Rooney can't get in front of his man. It's the last action of normal time as the referee blows his whistle. Stay tuned and email in on alex.dunn@bskyb.com.

89 - If only United had Ole on the bench we might have had a winner in the 90 minutes but as it stands, it looks as though it's a long night ahead. Dino, don't worry, I'll be staying for penalties - I suggest you take a beer into the dog house and settle down for the night.

86 - Ryan Giggs breaks Sir Bobby Charlton's record as he comes on for Scholes, who looks like he may be nursing a broken nose. Giggs is making his 759th appearance in a United shirt.

84 - Chelsea work the ball to Drogba but with Evra tight, the Ivorian fires his shot wide. It looks like the game is heading for an extra half an hour so I hope the beers are still cold in the fridge. No-one is going anywhere yet and for those of you studying, you have my sympathy.

83 - Terry puts in a decent block in his own box, before Chelsea sweep upfield and win a dangerous free-kick as Drogba is felled by Vidic.

81 - Tevez puts in a decent hit but from the edge of the box he never really looked like beating Cech. The Argentine is never short of magic but it is the energy he showed against Barcelona that United badly need now. It looks as though Fergie concurs that a change is needed, as Giggs prepares to make history.

78 - Malouda's cross is on the money for Drogba but Vidic's desperate lunge put the Chelsea striker off as he clipped the ball wide. Chelsea are pressing now and United look a side drained of both ideas and strength.

77 - Drogba hits the frame of United's goal with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the box. The Ivorian has done little all evening and then finds a wonderful strike that beat Van der Sar all ends-up, but not the post. United are flat.

76 - Malouda calls for a penalty following a challenge by Ferdinand but the referee was right on the spot and said not a prayer. Looked to be the right decision on first viewing.

74 - Ronaldo is a couple of inches too short as Hargreaves' corner just evades him. Rooney has moved to a wide right spot, with Hargreaves tucking inside. The crowd are calling for 'Viva Ronaldo' - Carvalho is clearly not a fan though as he dumps his fellow countryman to the floor.

71 - Tevez penalised for a foul on Cech as Carrick's corner is defended by Chelsea. Makelele went down a minute ago but is fine, as is Ferdinand, as the game continues with a clever run from Ronaldo that wins a corner.

68 - Betting bug appears to biting hard over in Ohio. Nick Granato has agreed to hand over his car to his brother Andrew if Chelsea lose out tonight. As a non-driver, I can confirm using the bus is to come last in the lottery of life pal. Claire Flynn is a very nervous United fan following our commentary, while Anne is placing all her cash on Chelsea.

65 - Ballack's setpiece comes to nothing as United clear through Ferdinand. At this stage of the game I'd suggest Fergie must be thinking of making a change. Chelsea are starting to dominate the ball. Ferdinand, in stretching to clear, has picked up an injury and the physio is on the pitch to treat him.

64 - Terry powers a header over from a Chelsea corner but it never looked like being on target to be fair. No sign of changes on the bench of late, as Carrick concedes a corner in denying Joe Cole down the left.

Could be a long night ahead for me as Andrew, Mark and Fergal Murray are all predicting penalties. I'd like to mention at this point I'm not paid overtime.

61 - United are ruffled here as Ferguson looks a worried man on the bench. Rooney and Tevez have yet to really enjoy the ball at their feet this half, so retaining possession has been a real problem for United. Rooney looks frustrated as he's a big lad feeding on scraps. Credit to Chelsea though, they've really lifted themselves.

59 - Vidic again absolutely outstanding in clearing as Chelsea slowly begin to turn the screw. Anthony in Waterford is a worried man as if United lose he has to shave his shoulder length hair. At the moment it looks like you might have to take to wearing a cap mate, as Ferdinand again has to be at his sharpest to clear. Your emails are coming thick and fast, so be patient as I try and get through them.

It's game on here as Ballack drifts away from Scholes before thumping a strike a couple of yards wide. Ballack's forways have been few and far betwee but the German might fancy his chances against Scholes the longer the game goes on.

55 - Vital piece of defending from Vidic repels another Chelsea attack as he dives in amongest the feet to clear for a corner, which comes to nothing.

54 - Essien shrugs off Ronaldo from Malouda's fine split-rule pass. The Ghanian's run was strong but his shot too high as it blazed over the bar. Had it been on target Van der Sar would have been in trouble as he had slipped again.

52 - Evra cross just evades Hargreaves, who is having an outstanding game on the right for United. Rooney is furious in the middle as he wanted the ball drilled in low.

50 - Chelsea are bullish in the opening few minutes, with Cole eager to push Hargreaves further back. Anubir Singh wants to see Grant move Essien into midfield, but for the moment it is Chelsea who are enjoying the slightly better quality possession.

48 - Joe Cole avoids a booking for a slightly rash challenge on Carrick. The referee has had a good game tonight and has been happy to let niggly tackles go for the most part.

47 - Astute defending from Cole prevents Hargreaves from getting onto a trademark lofted pass from Scholes. It's been a real good tussle between those two down Chelsea's left. June Batten in Canada is predicting a 3-1 win for United, while Robert French and Nick Granato are both going with Chelsea.

46 - Chelsea kick-off and as the ball falls to Malouda a full 40 yards from goal he tries an outlandish effort that flies well over. It will be interesting to note whether any changes are forthcoming. I predict Makelele will be taken off before too long, with Essien moving into the middle.

The players are back as Chelsea prepare to get the second half underway. Any predictions for the final score? alex.dunn@bskyb.com

Half-time banter Poppy has just emailed in my favourite story of the night. Her sister is at the Luzhniki Stadium and is sat next to none other than David Badiel. Is there any chance she could ask him why he's not done anything funny since the Mary Whitehouse Experience? Abdel informs me that this is a dire final and the two teams are the worst in Champions League history. He is a Liverpool supporter and not at all bitter. Remember to email all your thoughts/moans to alex.dunn@bskyb.com.

Half-time here and I'll need a few minutes to catch my breath. After a slow start the game came alive thanks to that man Ronaldo. United went for the jugular thereafter and twice could have doubled their lead through Tevez. Chelsea though are made from stern stuff and in Lampard have a player as good as any in the world at arriving from deep. He did just that for the 20th time this season and so at the break, it's all square here in Moscow.

Chelsea will not score a more fortunate goal all season - but they'll care little for aesthetics on a night like this. Two deflections off Vidic and Ferdinand played into Lampard's path and with Van der Sar already committed to a dive, the midfielder stabbed home from five yards.

45 - GOAL for Chelsea!!! Lampard has scored for the Blues!!!

42 - Ferdinand booked for block on Lampard on the edge of the box. Ballack's free-kick, from a really dangerous position, is really poor and over the top. United will feel the game should have been put to bed going into half-time but Chelsea's resilience is revered so United won't be relaxing just yet.

41 - Tevez goes so close again as Rooney puts in a wonderful low cross from the right. The Argentine slid in no more than five yards from goal but Makelele's challenge just about put him off his stride.

38 - Ashley Cole goes down on the edge of Chelsea's box under challenge from Brown but it looked like a shoulder to me and the referee concurred. Mr Cole is not happy though and is throwing a bit of a tantrum. All amusing stuff.

The game has really sprung to life here and is now an absorbing contest. Had Tevez converted it would have been a goal to grace any game, on any stage. Seconds earlier and Ferdinand was close to putting through his own goal after being placed under all kinds of pressure by an advanced Ballack. Van der Sar has been poor of late and he's not looked confident again tonight.

35 - United go so close to a second as they are twiced denied by superb goalkeeping from Cech. A wonderful move for United culminated in Tevez's diving header from Ronaldo's brilliant cross. Cech saved low to his right with a fine stop before thwarting Carrick's effort on the rebound from the edge of the box. Great football from United. Carrick perhaps should have scored.

33 - Chelsea's best chance as Van der Sar has to palm away Ferdinand's header. United eventually clear but it was poor goalkeeping from a shaky Van der Sar.

32 - Chelsea look short of ideas as they are going increasingly long looking for Drogba - who is now fine to continue. United look comfortable and if they keep this lead going into the break I wouldn't bet against them.

30 - Carvalho forced to hack clear as Ronaldo kept the ball in play at the far post. The Portuguese is starting to enjoy himself and there has already been some show-boating. Drogba is down near the halfway line - which is a real worry for Chelsea following a challenge with Ferdinand. I can also report Makelele was booked earlier in the game for his spat with Scholes.

Ronaldo has opened the scoring with a majestic header from Wes Brown's cross from the right. Brown clipped in and after escaping Essien's attention, Ronaldo planted home a wonderful effort. His 42nd of a remarkable season. Clearly, I spoke too soon.

27 - GOAL for United Ronaldo has headed in again for the REDS!!!!!

I hate to say it folks but it's all a bit flat here. It was always going to be tight but I've seen more spacious pants on Mick Jagger. Our touchline reporter has informed us that United's bench are worried Scholes is concussed. I'll keep you updated.

21 - Chelsea win a corner which Vidic concedes due to Van der Sar's reluctance to come off his line. Cole's kick came to nothing as Terry was adjudged to have fouled. Scholes has just re-entered the field after being patched up.

20 - Scholes and Makelele are at it again in the middle of the field. Scholes appeared to foul the Frenchman but has picked up a cut to the face for his efforts - and a booking. His cause was not helped by Chelsea's players surrounding the referee.

18 - United corner is wasted as Hargreaves' delivery is far too deep. Ronaldo has been fouled again and exchanged a wry grin with Drogba - who appears to be non-plussed with players who dive. Pot, kettle anyone?

16 - Makelele and Scholes exchange handbags over Rooney's tackle on the former. Nothing in it and to be fair none of the players made a meal of it. The majority of your emails appear to be backing United and to date they've probably been the better side.

14 - Ronaldo's first contribution as he skins Essien for the first time. His ball in was just a yard or so off the head of Hargreaves. The message from Fergie is obvious, get the ball to Ronnie.

12 - As perhaps could have been anticipated neither side is willing to go too gung-ho in the early sparring. A lot of aimless balls have been played over the top - with no-one on the field prepared to risk losing the ball by putting their foot on it. I'm sure it will get better.

10 - United have enjoyed the lion's share of the ball but have yet to open up Chelsea. On the counter it is Malouda who has been picked out most often. The likes of Joe Cole and Ronaldo have to date been starved of possession.

8 - Jeff Kanterman is pulling a sickie, at work. He's told his boss he has a headache and has retreated to his office - which houses a couch and TV. And he lives in Long Island - you lucky swine.

6 - Terry powers away after Rooney looked poised to meet Hargreaves' cross. Hargreaves has looked really sharp for United and already got in two excellent deliveries from the right.

5 - Cech has to gather Hargreaves' cross from the right after it took a nick off Ashley Cole. The pitch seems to be fine, but there have been some nervous touches. The best passage of play to date has been a neat interchange between Ballack and Lampard. There has not, though, been any noteworthy efforts.

3 - Vidic has to get in a strong header as Malouda puts in a good ball from the left. The winger has not had a great season but has shown some bright touches already tonight. The Sabre Lads in Ramadi, Iraq, are split on who'll win and are huddled around a single computer. Enjoy the game boys.

2 - Ronaldo fouled for the first time as Essien goes in strongly - I doubt it'll be the last. United have started on the front-foot with Evra keen to bomb on down the left.

1 - Hargreaves launches forward but the ball goes out of play for a Chelsea goal-kick. Ashley Cole is clearly not worried about his injury as he's already got a strong challenge in on Tevez.

1 - And we're off as Manchester United kick-off. Let's hope for a classic.

The teams are in the tunnel and it's fair to say there are more than a few nervous faces. Rooney has a grin all over his though and is clearly up for the big one. Gunther Jensen is simultaneously giving a lecture in LA and watching the game. I salute you sir. Anne, a regular from Hawaii, where it's 8.45 in the morning, is going for a Ballack winner. We shall see Anne.

It's clearly a global game as your emails are coming from all over the place and it's great to hear banter from all corners of the world. Thus far and I'd say I'm most envious of Junior and Andre who are chilling out in Barbados (where it's 220) and Jamaica respectively. My sympathies go out to Mark Carrick, who can't see the game as he's at a US military base in Kosovo. I'll do my best to keep you updated throughout mate. Nazanin Gerami is another with an exam tomorrow and would like tips on how to relax. Just watch the game and hope your history exam is on the Champions League.

Essien wasted? That's not on Stella but rather the position he is to be deployed in at right-back. The African powerhouse provides Chelsea with so much drive in the middle I feel Grant could rue giving him a more peripheral role. United's midfield is full of quality in the shape of Scholes and Carrick's passing ability but both players lack pace. With Hargreaves likely to be keeping a watchful eye on the deep runs of Ballack and Lampard, Essien might just have been an attacking threat in an advanced role.

Mike Buhagiar levels the debate with a Chelsea perspective, as he predicts the cup could be draped in blue come the final whistle. The key to success he believes is to keep it tight until half-time. Alex Lane fails to concur and is tipping United for a 1-0 success. Prabh Jot Singh, over in America, couldn't give the proverbial toss who wins as he's a Gunner already plotting world domination for next season. Keep them coming on alex.dunn@bskyb.com.

Greetings from Dubai as United fan Mir Mujtaba drops a line to say he's too nervous to study for his engineering exam tomorrow. My advice Mir is to kick back, relax and enjoy the game. If you don't know it by now you never will - and re-sits were invented for a reason after all. You've no need to stress in any case as Ben Crook says United will win it easy, with Ronaldo to star. Mr Crook is not, though, sitting an exam tomorrow.

Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Carvalho, Terry, Cole, Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba, J Cole

Man United: Van der Sar, Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Hargreaves, Scholes, Carrick, Tevez, Ronaldo, Rooney

The teams are in and there are no surprises as Sir Alex Ferguson and Avram Grant go with the line-ups that have got them to Moscow.

Welcome to skysports.com's live minute-by-minute coverage of the UEFA Champions League final from Moscow. In media-land hyperbole reigns supreme but even those with an addiction to beta blockers and not normally disposed to excitement must concede Manchester United versus Chelsea for the European Cup whets the appetite.

The purists amongst you may have craved a continental flavour to proceedings but it's testimony to the Premier League's strength/wealth that its top two clubs are here tonight to contest the first ever all-English final. It's fair to say the atmosphere is tenser than Dwayne Chambers in a drugs test waiting room, so it could well transpire that the result will depend on which of the 'big game' players turn nervous energy into positive displays.

Throughout the evening I'll be checking my in-box for your thoughts on the game, predictions, laments and woes, so feel free to email in on alex.dunn@bskyb.com. Pre-match and all the talk has been of the state of the pitch, Claude Makelele's hilariously inappropriate training ground lunge on Ashley Cole and whether Ronaldo will prove to be a big-match player or flat-track bully. I'd love your thoughts on any of the above. Team news to follow...