Apart from the Emirates FA Cup being the only shot for both Jose Mourinho of Manchester United and Antonio Conte of Chelsea at winning silverware, football’s oldest cup competition brought an end to the domestic English football season.
The Wembley stadium played host to Manchester United and Chelsea in the FA Cup final. Both sides had met twice in the Premier League with one win apiece but a Cup win was what was needed to bring either side some measure of success this season. And as Flaschscore put it one of the manager’s livelihood was at critical risk.
I wanted to catch the game at a friend’s place because I had never seen a game at his before that United lost. I was also wary of what I was going to wear. My friend and I settled to catch the game at a neutral ground and I decided to wear a Manchester United jersey which I wouldn’t dare do on a normal day because in the past the Red Devils usually lost whenever I consciously wore one. I wanted my team to send Michael Carrick off in and style and give Sir Alex Ferguson a recovery gift, so I was seriously hoping we won.
Jose Mourinho started with David De Gea in goal, Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Ashley Young filled up the back four. Nemanja Matic, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba were the trio called upon to marshal the United midfield with Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez and Rashford leading the line upfront.
In what looked like a 3-5-2 formation Chelsea’s manager Antonio Conte started Thibaut Courtois in goal with Antonio Rudiger, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta in a back three that had Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso filling in as wing backs. N’golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas played from the midfield. Eden Hazard played behind Olivier Giroud upfront for the Blues.
United had most of the ball in the first half and most shots but Chelsea were the most purposeful side with a number of their shots on target. Hazard had a chance to give Chelsea the lead in the 9th minute but DeGea saved with his leg. Chelsea took the lead in the 22nd minute via a deserved penalty. Phil Jones fouled Eden Hazard in the box. The Belgian dusted himself up and took the spot kick to give the West Londoners the lead.
The half wore on and United had the chance to equalize at the dearth of the first half but fluffed the opportunity. First half ended 1-0 in favour of Chelsea.
United picked up from where they left off in the 1st half as the 2nd half was ticking off and came close to leveling a couple of times but it was looking like Chelsea’s day. Even the introduction of Romelu Lukaku whom I think should have started and Anthony Martial did not yield a positive outcome for the Red Devils. In as much as I wanted my beloved team to win I think Chelsea gave a good account of themselves. The game ended 1-0. Chelsea win the 137th FA Cup final making it 8 FA Cup trophies for the Blues.
United end the season empty handed but does this result mean Antonio Conte gets to keep his job as Chelsea’s manager? Only time will tell.
Thanks for your time guys. Do enjoy the rest of your week and Ramadan Kareem to my muslim brothers and sisters. Love you guys much
