Essien's Hopes Of Winning Spanish Silverware Ends In Failure

Michael Essien�s hopes of winning a title in Spain before he returns to Chelsea at the end of the season ended in failure as his Real Madrid side were beaten by city rivals Atletico Madrid in the final of the Spanish Cup. The Copa del Rey trophy was supposed to be Essien�s parting gift for Real Madrid, or at least a consolation prize after a season that will be remembered for his abrasive antics and his team�s failure to win silverware. Instead, Atletico Madrid ended a 14-year winless run against its city rival by taking the title on Friday, coming from behind for a cathartic 2-1 win in extra time after coach Mourinho and his star forward Cristiano Ronaldo were sent off. Brazilian defender Miranda headed in Jorge �Koke� Resurrecion�s cross in the eighth minute of extra time to give Atletico its 10th Copa del Rey title and first since 1996. �This is for our fans that have suffered for 14 years,� Atletico�s captain Gabi Fernandez said moments before he received the trophy from Spain�s King Juan Carlos. �This team worked hard for this and deserved it.� Ronaldo appeared to have put Madrid on its way to yet another victory over its crosstown rivals when he headed in a goal in the 14th minute. But Atletico refused to fold and Radamel Falcao set up Diego Costa to level 10 minutes before halftime. Mourinho was sent off for protesting a decision in the 76th. Likely heading back to England in the off-season, he will finish his last campaign in Madrid without a title after it lost the Spanish league to Barcelona and bowed out of the Champions League semi-finals. Essien, who is on loan from Chelsea, was at least hoping to win a Spanish silverware before he returns to the English side at the end of the season after the league and Champions League disappointments. But with his last throw of the dice in Friday night�s game ending in failure, the Ghanaian will return to England with nothing to show for his stint in Spain.