Only football could snatch such shame from a match of so much splendour.

The 2007 Carling Cup final should have been remembered for its wonderful football, for two fabulous goals from Didier Drogba and a brilliant opening strike from Theo Walcott.

Instead, the enduring image of Chelsea's 2-1 victory will be two teams fighting en masse at the end, two managers in Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger racing on to the field to try to quell the fisticuffs and referee Howard Webb sending off John Obi Mikel, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor.

Indeed, Adebayor could have been sent off twice such were his vehement protests as he was hauled off.

What a disgraceful example to set before the millions of football-mad schoolchildren watching worldwide.

No passion, no prize is any excuse for such behaviour from two of England's big four.

And it was all the more depressing because much of this match was enthralling, more so because of the contrasting qualities of managers Wenger and Mourinho.

Wenger trusted his kids. Mourinho supported the wily practitioners of Stamford Bridge. Magnetism versus pragmatism.

And if moneybags Chelsea lifted the first trophy of the season then this demonstrated that the finest of lines divides the top two teams in London.

Throw in the drama of England captain John Terry carried off on a stretcher after suffering an horrific boot full in the face from Abou Diaby and the football was more than watchable. It was unmissable.

The five minutes Terry lay on the Millennium stadium pitch, receiving treatment and oxygen from doctors and physios after swallowing his tongue, was a reminder of how precarious a footballer's career can be.

It saw tears of concern on the face of Diaby, anxiety from England manager Steve McClaren, players and fans from both sides.

It was a pity such unwanted drama impinged on the match and the five-minute break certainly affected the rhythm and tempo, especially of Arsenal.

Until then, there had been a brightness and freshness about Arsenal's youngsters.

They do not bludgeon defences, they slice them apart. Clinically but with exquisite precision.

Walcott's first goal for the club was a prime example.

Walcott raced forward to take the return pass, demonstrating some penalty-box sleight of foot, before opening up his body to clip a firm shot past Petr Cech.

It was a glimpse of Arsenal's future and, what's more, it was English. The one criticism of Wenger during his reign in north London is that his foreign legions have been to the detriment of the national team.

Well, it was Wenger who splashed out £12m on Walcott and before the European Championships qualifying campaign is done, he is the boy who could yet present McClaren with the pace and unpredictability for which his side still yearn.

But everywhere in Wenger's side there are young shoots ready to blossom. Diaby has a look of Patrick Vieira, Denilson provides Brazilian flair, Julio Baptista is a powerhouse and Jeremie Aliadiere is rapidly improving.

Then there is 19-year-old Cesc Fabregas who, as well as vying for the most creative midfielder in the country, also has a spiky edge to his game.

Young guns by name, young guns by nature.

Unfortunately, then came the shame.