Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: 5 Talking Points from the FA Cup Final

Chelsea beat Manchester United 1-0 in a hard-fought final to win the FA Cup on Saturday at Wembley. A solitary goal from Eden Hazard from the penalty spot was all that separated the two sides after 95 minutes.

The game was important for both sides as it was the final trophy available and in the end, it was United that ended the season trophyless while Conte won the first domestic cup of his career.

Here are the major talking points from the game.

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#1 Drab first half - apart from the penalty

Both teams failed to get going in attack

Despite both teams playing completely different formations, there was not much to separate the two sides at half-time apart from the penalty.

Thibaut Courtois, who had a tough time squinting into the sun during the first half, was never really bothered by any shots. The Red Devils had 7 shots on goal but not even one was on target.

On the other hand, Chelsea also found it hard to get going at the other end. Their first-half performance saw only two shots on target - both by Eden Hazard.

Playing centrally, the Belgian did escape his marker on one occasion to get into the box and get a shot off, only to be denied by the quick reflexes of David De Gea to prevent a sure-shot goal.

Nevertheless, the Blues were gifted a penalty in the 21st minute when Phil Jones fouled Hazard in the box.

#2 Michael Oliver gets the penalty decision spot on

Phil Jones is booked after conceding a penalty

Both Pogba and Matic failed to close down Cesc Fabregas in Chelsea's half and that was United's first mistake leading to the penalty. As soon as the Spaniard received the ball in acres of space, he took his lob first time to find Hazard and that was what caught United out.

By the time Hazard made a superb run with the ball and was well past Phil Jones, the defender struggled to get goal side of the Blues forward. Jones had no choice but to risk a penalty when going for the tackle as Hazard prepared to pull the trigger.

Chelsea players were up in arms as soon as Oliver blew the whistle and pointed to the spot. Jones was the last man and they wanted a red card but the referee only produced a yellow card with Jones walking away without arguing, knowing full well it was a clear penalty.

Why not a red card for the last-man tackle? It's because the rules were changed recently to avoid the double-jeopardy moment where the team gets a man sent off even as the opponent gets a penalty.

Jones concedes a penalty after bringing Hazard down in the box

If a player commits the offence within their own penalty area when denying an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity, the referee awards a penalty kick and the offending player is cautioned if the offence was an attempt to play the ball.

Since Jones was looking to play the ball rather than deliberately bring down Hazard, the yellow card was the right decision.

#3 Giroud and Hazard fail to combine for Chelsea

Olivier Giroud's physicality was rarely

utilised

by Chelsea

Antonio Conte made the right decision to play a 3-5-1-1 with Hazard playing behind Olivier Giroud in the centre. However, there was no chemistry between the two over the course of 90 minutes.

Whenever Hazard received the ball, he either looked to attack on his own or drift out wide waiting for support. There were times when Giroud could be seen free and with his arms in the air, waiting to make a run into space for a header but the cross never came.

Even when the Frenchman made a diagonal run to occupy the defence before getting free, Hazard chose to go on his own.

The Belgian had made a claim that he was too unselfish to win the Ballon d'Or. But this game was proof that he really wasn't. Nevertheless, the 1-0 win and the trophy will brush it under the carpet.

And he did win the penalty to put them ahead after all.

#4 Rashford disappoints after starting up front, Alexis frustrated

Marcus Rashford (R) was silent for most of the game before he was withdrawn

With Romelu Lukaku not at 100%, Marcus Rashford was given a chance to start up front by Jose Mourinho. But the youngster failed to make any sort of impact on the game before he was substituted in the 72nd minute.

The 20-year-old was isolated throughout the first half with most of United's forward play going through Alexis Sanchez. Rashford cut a lone figure playing on the shoulder of the defensive line at times.

He was starved of service but that was credit to Chelsea's deep defence too. Rashford is a player that thrives on space to run into and he was denied that by the deep block employed by Chelsea.

Only when United got going in the second half did Rashford manage to get shots on goal. One opportunity came when Fabregas lost the ball in his own final third allowing Rashford to take a snap-shot while the other saw him get the best of a high line to get in behind and test Courtois who came out and made himself big to deny him just before his substitution.

Meanwhile, Alexis tried his best to get shots on goal - even going solo at times (Wembley is one of his favourite grounds where he usually scores). But with no support from midfield to help with numbers in the box, Alexis was easily crowded out by Chelsea's defenders.

#5 What next for Mourinho and Conte?

Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have had mixed seasons

The final match of the English domestic season was arguably the most important game for both sides. Trophyless coming into this game, it was a make-or-break game for Chelsea and Manchester United.

Eventually, it was Antonio Conte who ended the season on a high with Chelsea's eighth FA Cup trophy - their first since 2012. Even though the Blues failed to qualify for the Champions League, they will not end the season empty-handed.

There has been talk about Conte possibly leaving the club. The FA Cup may not save his job but the Blues would do well to entrust him with the job for one more season and support him in the transfer market.

For Jose Mourinho, it is a moment to reflect. The second season at every club he has managed is where he was always succeeded. The first season saw him celebrate three trophies.

This season sees the Red Devils finish runners-up in the league and FA Cup apart from getting knocked out in the League Cup and Champions League.

He has it all to do next season.

1 - Jose Mourinho has lost his first ever domestic cup final in England, winning each of his previous five (excl comm shield). Blunted. pic.twitter.com/40jWryOVHA

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 19, 2018