Wow, wow, wow! What a game! Never, ever question the significance of the FA Cup folks, because Saturday was a prime example of exactly why it remains the greatest domestic cup competition in world football.
The stage was set for a rip-roaring final between Chelsea and Leicester City, with the Foxes aiming to win the FA Cup for the first time in their history. As for Chelsea, this winning machine didn't look like slowing down, as they marched on to a probable top-four finish and a Champions League final.
WOW.
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 15, 2021
Top bins from Tielemans ?#EmiratesFACup @LCFC pic.twitter.com/LUon4q0nEW
In the end, it was a wonder strike from midfielder Youri Tielemans that separated the two teams, handing the Foxes all the glory at a partly-filled Wembley Stadium on Saturday. History, emotion, the lot.
Leicester started the game well, but their afternoon took a turn when Jonny Evans succumbed to the injury which has plagued him in recent weeks, meaning Brendan Rodgers was forced into an early change.
Heartbreaking for Jonny Evans. ? pic.twitter.com/SuNNsv03OA
— 90min (@90min_Football) May 15, 2021
Gutted for Jonny Evans. He's had such a great career - he deserved a game of this nature.
— Keith Bailie (@KeithJBailie) May 15, 2021
Marc Albrighton replaced the centre-back, as the first half passed with little incident, but the second half provided the bang. That bang came from Tielemans' right foot, after the Belgian midfielder sent a blistering strike towards goal, and Kepa Arrizabalaga could get nowhere near it.
Simply unbelievable from Tielemans ? pic.twitter.com/eaJF7Qa4xX
— LCFC Live (@LiveLCFC) May 15, 2021
Tielemans definitely screamed “Gerrrrard” in his head when he hit that.
— - (@AnfieldRd96) May 15, 2021
What a goal by Tielemans. One of those great FA Cup goals.
— DaveOCKOP (@DaveOCKOP) May 15, 2021
Some of us saw this coming of age from a mile off, however.
Football Manager players seeing FM15 wonderkid Tielemans score that banger pic.twitter.com/3ajrTnnIkm
— Jack (@WorkTheSpace) May 15, 2021
Every Football Manager player watching Youri Tielemans score a screamer in a major cup final pic.twitter.com/IC5RZKPA77
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) May 15, 2021
Me signing Tielemans year after year on career mode pic.twitter.com/iNdeW7sO3v
— ??? Josh ??? (@BrowneSauce12) May 15, 2021
It was so good, even Albrighton couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed.
Marc Albrighton is all of us right now ?#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/3vAQk01pK6
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 15, 2021
It was a special afternoon for the substitute wing-back, who continued to rack up the honours that his impressive career deserves.
Marc Albrighton has now won the FA Cup more times than Alan Shearer and the PL more times than Steven Gerrard
— Jay Motty (@JayMotty) May 15, 2021
The final was far from over, however. Kasper Schmeichel had to be at his cat-like best to keep Chelsea at bay, first stopping Ben Chilwell's header, and then somehow tipping Mason Mount's vicious strike around the post.
This Schmeichel save ?#EmiratesFACup @LCFC pic.twitter.com/g70YtNRcWp
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 15, 2021
What a goalkeeper this man is.
— The Goalkeepers' Union Podcast (@GKUnion) May 15, 2021
Kasper Schmeichel. ? #CHELEI pic.twitter.com/8kI56Vf4eI
The big Dane got the love he deserved from you guys.
Kasper Schmeichel’s legacy at Leicester City is fully completed. One of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League, and you could possibly compare him to some of Europe too. pic.twitter.com/b87gYhRVnJ
— Asif. (@Asif9707) May 15, 2021
Imagine telling Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and Wes Morgan when they joined Leicester that they’d win the league and the cup.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) May 15, 2021
However, his best save came after the match, freeing Jamie Vardy from the shackles of an interview to go and enjoy the fun. If there's one man who loves fun, it is Vardy, after all.
Kasper Schmeichel cut @TheDesKelly short so that Jamie Vardy could join in the celebrations ?#EmiratesFACupFinal pic.twitter.com/yQhfJW5MvD
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 15, 2021
Spare a thought for Vardy by the way, who has made the incredible journey through the lower leagues of English football to arrive at the top of the game. What a man.
Jamie Vardy's having a party ? pic.twitter.com/uOXQFtdf4a
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 15, 2021
Jamie Vardy. From the 8th division for Stocksbridge Park Steels, to a Premier League and FA Cup winner with Leicester.
— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) May 15, 2021
Inspirational journey for all lower league footballers. ?? pic.twitter.com/ZVvDQhigoa
Jamie Vardy is the first player to play in every stage of the FA cup,from the preliminary round to the FA cup final.
— Saqib ⚡️⚡️ (@UtdSaqib) May 15, 2021
AND HE WON IT ?
WHAT A CAREER ? pic.twitter.com/4v8KhyUYti
That moment didn't arrive before the main talking point, however. The Blues finally found a way past Schmeichel, and it was club legend Wes Morgan who accidentally bundled the ball into the net. Heartbreak.
I swear I feared Wes Morgan would score an own goal when he came on
— KariukiThe1st (@Karriss) May 15, 2021
OWN GOAL! WES MORGAN levels the scoreline
— Ødengaang (@Lewanjoski) May 15, 2021
Fortunately, there was one final twist in this fairytale. VAR, everyone's enemy at one time or another, rescued Leicester, adjudging ex-Fox Chilwell to be offside in the buildup, and the equaliser was disallowed. Cue pandemonium.
WTF pic.twitter.com/qbA4Y9FORw
— Junior Subtil (@juniorsubtil1) May 15, 2021
Wes Morgan own goal and a Chillwell knee slide celebration late in the game against his old club only to be ruled out by VAR by a few inches.
— Umyr (@Umyr17) May 15, 2021
I love this game
We love VAR? pic.twitter.com/NH6e6sz8QH
— ᑭᗩᑭI (@bivanjr_) May 15, 2021
Was Chelsea’s late goal harshly ruled out by VAR? #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/kcnN8FIfkJ
— MattISpurs (@ParkLaneBlock40) May 15, 2021
How about that goal eh, Chilwell? ? pic.twitter.com/jg49aO0EGw
— Chris Durning (@eatcyclerepeat) May 15, 2021
One guess who this guy supports.
Football has been ruined by VAR.
— Mod (@CFCMod_) May 15, 2021
And so, the curtain fell on one of the most exciting FA Cup finals in recent memory. Brendan Rodgers was the hero, leading Leicester to their first ever FA Cup success, and it was hugs, cheers and tears all round.
The man to deliver Leicester's first FA Cup triumph.
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 15, 2021
Respect Brendan Rodgers ? pic.twitter.com/aYQigKpkfS
The pictures of Brendan Rodgers and the players with the Leicester owner were brilliant. Leicester such a feel-good story and give everyone hope.
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) May 15, 2021
Brendan Rodgers will sit in front of this painting of himself tonight, hold up a glass of cognac, and say: "You did it, kid. You did it." pic.twitter.com/KtxcRi7rcM
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 15, 2021
Congratulations, Leicester City!
For the first time EVER...@LCFC lift the #EmiratesFACup ? pic.twitter.com/f47XF0F778
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) May 15, 2021
2020/21 FA CUP WINNERS! ?? pic.twitter.com/QEZKJUVwZT
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 15, 2021
Source : 90min