PLAYER RATINGS: Kasper Schmeichel pulls-off HUGE saves to secure FA Cup glory, as Timo Werner goes missing for the big occasion at Wembley
- Leicester were crowned FA Cup champions after beating Chelsea on Saturday
- Youri Tielemans scored a screamer in a man of the match game by the Belgian
- Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech went missing on a crucial day for the Blues
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-worthy goal. The Foxes held out against Chelsea's last-gasp push thanks to VAR, which controversially ruled-out a late equaliser due to Ben Chilwell straying offside.
As the Foxes fairytale reached another milestone, Sportsmail's GERRY COX was at Wembley to rate every player...
Video emerges of man biting a boy's ear at World Snooker Championship
Declan Rice is targeted with chants about girlfriend by Chelsea fans
Father of drug addicted star reveals why he blames AFL for son's death
Related Articles
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments
Comments
{{formattedShortCount}}
comments