Didier Drogba proves his value to Chelsea is more than just as a Wembley talisman as he downs Liverpool Drogba takes on a Bayern Munich defence shorn through suspension of that excellent centre-half, Holger Badstuber, and Gustavo, the defensive midfielder who shields the back-line so effectively. Drogba is a force against full-strength defences let alone weakened ones. At Wembley on Sunday, Drogba was up against an experienced, in-form centre-half in Martin Skrtel. Drogba's face adorned the £10 Cup final programme, facing up to Skrtel, a duel that soon broke out here. Within 28 seconds, Drogba was dropping off Skrtel, latching on to Frank Lampard's knock-down and trying his luck, sending a shot spinning over. Liverpool could not take their eyes off Chelsea's No 11. After six minutes, Drogba shrugged off pressure from Skrtel to find Juan Mata. Skrtel, probably Liverpool's player of the season with Luis Suárez, had to be on his toes. When Drogba strode through again, Skrtel calmly read the danger and nicked the ball. Drogba was so obsessing Liverpool's centre-halves, drawing them towards him, that space opened up for Ramires to pour through for Chelsea's 11th-minute opener. Even without direct involvement, Drogba had contributed. At 34, he feels so fit, smiling that he has "a few kilometres left" in him. He certainly put in the hard yards here, even chasing back to hound Craig Bellamy. Moments later, he was back upfront, linking with Juan Mata, then spreading play wide to Ramires. Still he was central to Chelsea's moves, switching right to play off the shoulder of Daniel Agger. He then tested José Enrique. His work-rate was superb, his fitness exceptional. Drogba looked sharp and hungry in recent semi-final weeks, bullying an array of centre-halves from Carles Puyol of Barcelona to William Gallas of Spurs. That decision to analyse the way Alan Shearer played, muscling into centre-halves, giving them no respite, paid off. On the eve of this final, Drogba revealed that he did not enjoy playing the lone front-runner role but he performs the duties so dynamically, so prolifically, keeping Fernando Torres kicking his expensive heels on the bench. Drogba kept imposing himself on all Liverpool defenders, inspecting the line like a particularly demanding drill sergeant. He worked over Glen Johnson for a while, running on to Ashley Cole's back-heel, an old understanding paying off. Drogba also provided a great "out" ball, controlling a clearance from John Obi Mikel. If Chelsea decide against keeping him, they will miss the Ivorian's presence at defending corners. Just before half-time, following a Bellamy delivery, Drogba rose far more determinedly to clear the ball ahead of Skrtel. He has that strength, that determination. Up close, he is remarkably different from the battle-scarred heavyweight of popular perception. He is lithe, slightly angular with an athlete's frame rather than boxer's. The arm he broke in 2010 has required extra work below the surface, more surgery on the screws, strengthening it. Even his presence seems to unsettle defences, perhaps even his old reputation for falling to earth. Liverpool were fixated by him, even when he was not at his barnstorming best as in the first half. They sat too deep, inviting Chelsea on. Again. And Drogba accepted the invitation. Seven minutes into the second half, Lampard released Drogba and he placed a low, firm shot between Skrtel's legs and past Pepe Reina. Wembley was treated to a trademark Drogba celebration, sliding across the turf towards the Chelsea fans, arms outstretched. If the attention then turned to the compelling Andy Carroll-Terry duel down the other end, Drogba proved once again the man for the great stage of Wembley, the man who has the answers, who has the final word.