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Ballack ensures Chelsea's place in Wembley final
AP, LONDON
Tuesday, Apr 17, 2007, Page 20
Robbie Keane scored two goals and set up another on Sunday in Tottenham's 3-3 draw at Wigan in the Premier League, and Chelsea advanced to the FA Cup final at the new Wembley with a 2-1 win over Blackburn.
Tottenham Hotspur rallied three times against its relegation-threatened opponents. Keane scored with a penalty in the 35th minute and also collected a goal kick from Paul Robinson and lobbed Wigan Athletic goalkeeper John Filan in the 68th.
Everton beat Charlton Athletic 2-1 with an injury-time goal from James McFadden. That moved the Toffees up to fifth place, but left the Addicks in the relegation zone.
Michael Ballack scored for Chelsea in extra time at Old Trafford after the match had ended 1-1 in regular time. The Germany captain picked up a loose ball after a blocked shot and scored in the 109th minute.
"It's a very special feeling. I think the game was amazing," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. "You finish the game, you win and you are crazy with happiness."
Wigan striker Emile Heskey scored his third goal in as many games in the second minute, heading in his own rebound after a goalmouth scramble. Spurs replied immediately with Keane setting up Dimitar Berbatov, who eluded two defenders before scoring his 20th goal of the season in the fourth minute.
Leighton Baines curled a volley into the far corner from the edge of the box in the 30th minute to give Wigan the lead, but again, it did not last long.
Filan brought down Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas just inside the box and referee Graham Poll awarded a penalty kick, which Keane converted.
Kevin Kilbane headed in Wigan's third goal in the 60th minute on a cornerr. Keane's last goal was a 35m shot that went over Filan's head and into the empty net.
Everton dominated Charlton at Goodison Park.
In the first half, Andy Johnson had two chances, Leon Osman curled a shot wide and Lee Carsley sent a volley over the crossbar. Mikel Arteta also had chances on either side of the interval.
The Toffees were finally rewarded in the 81st minute when Joleon Lescott scored with a volley after a header from Johnson had been pushed away by Charlton goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Darren Bent equalized for Charlton in the 89th minute, but McFadden scored the winner in injury time.
"I think we deserved it," Everton manager David Moyes said. "But I've got to say that Charlton have been doing very well lately."
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