No Fairytale For Cahill & Millwall - Full Report

There was no fairytale ending for Tim Cahill and his Millwall teammates last night, as Manchester United won the FA Cup Final 3-0 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

There was no fairytale ending for Tim Cahill and his Millwall teammates last night, as Manchester United won the FA Cup Final 3-0 at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.   Millwall almost achieved its objective of keeping United scoreless at the break, but with a minute left Portuguese international Christiano Ronaldo headed home to give United the lead.

Dutch striker Ruud van Nistlerooy added two goals in the second half to complete the comprehensive win.   Cahill had a solid game, although he was restricted in going forward, as Millwall concentrated on containment rather than entertainment.   Chances were few and far between for Millwall, although the Qantas Socceroo midfielder did make one of his customary late runs into the box that resulted in a first half chance.   Unfortunately for Cahill, United goalkeeper Tim Howard made a desperate lunge to tip the ball away just as the Australian was about to head towards goal.   That was about the closest they came throughout the game as United dominated possession and chances.   Ronaldo was the star of the Final, although strangely van Nistlerooy was named man of the match, despite being kept quiet for most of the match.   The 19-year old winger tormented the Millwall defence with his probing, skilful runs with most of United-s chances coming though him.   But in the five minutes before half time, it was Ronaldo that was the end of things, first being denied Andy Marshall and Darren Ward, the latter clearing off the line after Marshall had got a hand to Ronaldo-s shot.   But a minute before the break Ronaldo charged onto a Gary Neville cross to power his header home.   United continued to apply the pressure and while Millwall battled gamely, the inevitable second goal came after Ryan Giggs was brought down in the box as he went on a typical mazy run into the penalty area.   Van Nistlerooy stepped up to slam home the spot kick.   The match was all over as a contest shortly afterwards when van Nistlerooy scored his second, from a suspiciously offside position, as he pounced on Giggs miscued shot that was going across the face of goal.   The win was United-s 11th Cup victory and for Millwall they can pride in the fact they made it to the final for the first time in its history and gave a good account of themselves, although sheer class told in the end.