Leicester lifted the FA Cup for the first time in their history on Saturday, with Youri Tielemans’ strike enough for an emotional triumph over Chelsea at Wembley.
The Belgian blasted into the top-corner from 25 yards, wheeling away to celebrate a cup final-worth goal. The Foxes held out against Chelsea’s last-gasp push thanks to VAR, which controversially ruled-out Ben Chilwell’s late equaliser.
As the Foxes fairytale reached another milestone, Sportsmail’s GERRY COX was at Wembley to rate every player…
Leicester have won the FA Cup, beating Chelsea at Wembley for an emotional first triumph
The Blues were left devastated, feeling robbed after Ben Chilwell’s equaliser was disallowed
Leicester 3-4-3
Kaspar Schmeichel – 8
His father Peter was in the Manchester United team that beat Chelsea in the 1994 FA Cup final, and he also kept a clean sheet. Brilliant save to stop Chilwell’s header in the 78th minute, and even better to deny Mount in the closing stages.
Wesley Fofana – 8
Started on the right of back three but went to the middle when Evans limped off after 33 minutes. Booked for a foul on Werner, then denied the German with a great block. Super throughout.
Caglar Soyuncu – 8
Won every header in defence, and but the missed the target twice at attacking free-kicks, with headers high and then wide. A rock in defence.
Foxes defender Caglar Soyuncu was a powerhouse at the back, smothering rival Timo Werner
Jonny Evans – 6
Brendan Rodgers gambled on his fitness and it backfired when he limped off in 33rd minute with a recurrence of his foot injkury. Replaced by Marc Albrighton.
Timothy Castagne – 7
Got forward well early on to cross for a Vardy shot that was blocked. Excellent throughout on the right of Leicester’s midfield.
Youri Tielemans – MOTM 9
Sensational goal – one of the best ever seen at Wembley. Capped an excellent display in the heart of midfield, breaking up Chelsea attacks and creating chances.
Youri Tielemans’s screamer sealed the victory for Leicester, with the Belgian running the show
Wilfried Ndidi – 8
Worked well alongside Tielemans keeping Leicester’s midfield ticking over. Neat and tidy with his passing, hardly put a foot wrong. Unsung hero again.
Luke Thomas – 7
Kept busy by Mount and Ziyech’s interchanges but did well. Injured in a clash of heads with Azpilicueta and replaced by Wes Morgan.
Kelechi Iheanacho – 6
Struggled to get into the game early on. No real chances to show his goalscorin prowess, and replaced by James Maddison shortly after Tielemans scored.
Jamie Vardy – 8
Up against the speedy and strong James, who blocked an early shot from the England striker. Headed wide shortly before half time, and no clear chances, but never stopped running.
Reece James dominated Jamie Vardy on the ball but the Englishman’s running was crucial
Ayoze Perez – 6
Interchanged with Vardy on the left and central forward positions but struggled to get any clear sights of goal. Replaced by Choudhury late on.
Subs:
Marc Albrighton (for Jonny Evans 34) – 7
James Maddison for Iheanachi 68 – 6
Hamza Choudhury for Perez 82 – 6
Wes Morgan for Thomas 82
Brendan Rodgers – 9
Brilliant game plan from the former Chelsea coach, who matched Tuchel’s 3-4-3 formation and made the right substitutions to shore up his side’s lead.
Brendan Rodgers has proved himself as one of the Premier League’s best bosses at Leicester
Chelsea 3-4-3
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 6
Controversial choice ahead of Tuchel’s number one Edouard Mendy, but is Chelsea’s cup keeper. No chance with Tielemans’ goal, and little else to do.
Reece James – 7
switched with Azpilicueta from wing-back to back three to counter the pace of Vardy and blocked a close range shot from the England striker early on. Never stopped running.
Thiago Silva – 7
Solid as ever at the heart of Chelsea’s back three, but Tielemans’ goal went past him without a block. It was from his forward pass that Chelsea thought they had equalised only to be ruled out by VAR.
Thiago Silva was superb in defence and attack but the Blues couldn’t capitalise in front of goal
Antonio Rudiger – 7
Strong and powerful in defence, rarely looked troubled. Hit one hopeful long shot wide in the early stages, another high over the bar late in the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Poor game from the Chelsea captain, who was pushed up to right-wing back for his crossing ability, but failed to deliver time after time. Replaced by Hudson-Odoi for final 15 minutes.
Ngolo Kante – 8
Hardly a blade of Wembley grass not covered by Chelsea’s human dynamo. Superb cover for his defence, and also good going forward. Ran his heart out. Unlucky to lose.
Chelsea’s midfield machine N’Golo Kante was all over the pitch but it still wasn’t enough
Jorginho – 6
Another controversial choice after his howler gave Arsenal victory in midweek, but he was tidy and unspectacular alongside Kante here. Replaced by Havertz towards the end.
Marcos Alonso – 5
Selected ahead of Ben Chilwell, but unable to get forward much. Put a header straight at Schmeichel after the break. Replaced by Chilwell.
Mason Mount – 7
Another action man along with Kante, the young Englishman was Chelsea’s most creative attacking player. One first-half shot deflected wide, and a late half-volley brilliantly saved by Schmeichel.
Timo Werner – 5
Another disappointing display from the German, whose shots were high, wide or blocked. Failed to get an effort on target and replaced by Giroud late on. Booked for sliding in on Luke Thomas.
Hakim Ziyech – 5
Chelsea’s goalscoring hero from their semi-final win over Manchester City, but he struggled to make the same impact here. One shot deflected wide. Replaced by Christian Pulisic.
Hakim Ziyech barely had any impact on the Wembley final, falling far short of his magical best
Subs:
Christian Pulisic for Ziyech 68 – 7
Ben Chilwell for Alonson 68 – 7
Callum Hudson Odoi for Azpilicueta 76 – 6
Kai Havertz for Jorginho 76 – 6
Olivier Giroud for Werner 82
Thomas Tuchel – 6
Another cup final disappointment for the German, who will be hoping for much better display from his side in Lisbon at the end of May.
His faith in Timo Werner and Chelsea’s failing forwards may prove costly, and in the end he threw on everything but the kitchen sink to no avail.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel put on a masterclass in the semi-final but his team lacked a punch
Referee: Michael Oliver – 8
Only big call was whether to believe VAR at the end when it told him Ben Chilwell was offside when Chelsea thought they had scored a late equaliser. Solid throughout, let the game flow and no controversial decisions.