By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Chelsea captured its first Champions League title after edging Bayern Munich, 4-3, on penalty kicks after battling to a 1-1 draw for 120 minutes in regulation at the Allianz Arena.

Didier Drogba was the hero for Chelsea, drilling in the winning penalty kick after forcing extra time with a goal in the 88th minute for the Blues.

The victory exorcised the ghost of Chelsea's defeat in the Champion's League final four years ago when it lost to Manchester United via shootout.

Chelsea also became the first London Club to win the European Cup and the sixth team from a capital city to win in the 57-year history of the league.

As expected in a Bayern-Chelsea match, the game was close from the start, with neither team budging.

German international Thomas Mueller's header from the left wing in the 83rd minute gave Bayern the lead and was poised to go all the way until Drogba's header spoiled the party.

Drogba almost turned from hero to goat after he tripped Franck Ribery in the box in the first period of extra-time but goalie Petr Cech saved Arjen Robben's spot-kick.

The rest of the game yielded no goals and it was left to penalties to decide the winner.

In the shootout, Juan Mata missed for Chelsea while Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and Manuel Neuer scored for Bayern to take a 3-2 lead.

But Ivica Olick and Bastian Schweinsteiger missed the next two penalty shots for Bayern while Cole tied the count, paving the way for Drogba's winning kick.

Drogba's performance was reported to be the 34-year-old Ivorian's last for Chelsea as his contract expires next month. There are persistent rumors that he will transfer to Barcelona.

Bayern Munich, for its part, failed in its bid to become the first team to win the competition in its own stadium. The team had won all seven of their home European matches this season with 21 goals.

Chelsea Edges Bayern Munich in Shootout, Wins Champions League Trophy