Eden Hazard fired Chelsea to FA Cup glory against Manchester United as Antonio Conte’s expected farewell ended with a memorable triumph against old foe Jose Mourinho.

The 137th FA Cup final – and first utilising the video assistant referee – was not as cagey as some had feared but was hardly a rip-roaring affair as the Blues looked to atone for last season’s shock defeat to Arsenal and a tepid Premier League title defence.

Mourinho came into the match looking to frustrate his former club and write his name into the record books, but Conte – subject of so much speculation regarding his future – emerged triumphant as Hazard’s first-half penalty secured a 1-0 win at Wembley.

Tweet of the Match –

Man of the Match – Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard celebrates scoring Chelsea’s goal from the penalty spot (John Walton/Empics)

The Belgium international is unplayable when he is at his best and his first-half display here was enough to lead Chelsea to the trophy.

Tested David De Gea with an early sighter and then terrorised Phil Jones before being upended by the United man to earn a penalty which he got up and converted coolly.

That ultimately proved the difference as the final’s first penalty since Ruud van Nistelrooy for the Red Devils back in 2003 settled the contest.

Moment of the Match –

Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba missed a great chance to equalise for Manchester United (John Walton/Empics)

Easy to award this one to Hazard and his penalty, too, but Paul Pogba’s missed header – when free and unmarked in front of goal – with just eight minutes left of the clock summed up a frustrating afternoon for the France midfielder and his side.

For all of their possession in the second half, United rarely threatened Thibaut Courtois but Pogba should have not even given him a sniff, only to send Anthony Martial’s corner around the post.

Data Point –

Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho suffered FA Cup final heartbreak (Nick Potts/PA)

This was only the third loss Jose Mourinho has tasted in a total of 15 cup finals as a manager.

Ratings –

Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois 8 (out of 10), Cesar Azpilicueta 7, Gary Cahill 8, Antonio Rudiger 7, Victor Moses 6, N’Golo Kante 8, Tiemoue Bakayoko 6, Cesc Fabregas 6, Marcos Alonso 7, Eden Hazard 8, Olivier Giroud 6. Subs: Alvaro Morata (for Giroud, 88) 5, Willian (for Hazard, 90) 5.

Manchester United: David De Gea 6, Antonio Valencia 5, Phil Jones 4, Chris Smalling 6, Ashley Young 5, Nemanja Matic 6, Ander Herrera 5, Paul Pogba 5, Jesse Lingard 5, Alexis Sanchez 5, Marcus Rashford 6. Subs: Romelu Lukaku (for Rashford, 72), Anthony Martial (for Lingard, 72), Juan Mata (for Jones, 86) 5.