21.5.18

HAZARD'S GOAL LIFTS CHELSEA PAST MAN UNITED IN FA CUP FINAL

FA CUP: CHELSEA 1 - MANCHESTER UTD 1

Eden Hazard ensured Chelsea’s lackluster season ended on a high note by securing the F.A. Cup in a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the final on Saturday. Days after raising doubts about his Chelsea future, Hazard netted from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute at Wembley Stadium after being brought down by Phil Jones.

After lifting the Premier League trophy last season, Chelsea finished 30 points behind newly crowned champion Manchester City to finish fifth last week and out of the Champions League places. Victory for Conte — his first in a cup final — meant Jose Mourinho finished his second season at United empty-handed, paying the price for an insipid first-half display and coming to life only after the break.

United took until the 56th minute to register a shot on target when Marcus Rashford struck at goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who later rushed off his line to block the forward. United did finish second in the Premier League, the club's highest finish since Alex Ferguson retired as a champion in 2013.