FA Cup final, Chelsea vs Manchester United - as it happened: Eden Hazard penalty settles it for the Blues
Re-live all the action from Wembley
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United and Chelsea meet in the FA Cup final for the third time in the tournament’s 147-year history in what is lined up to be a fiercely competitive encounter at Wembley Stadium.
In a final that pits Jose Mourinho up against rival Antonio Conte, both managers know that defeat will leave them trophy-less this season – and for the latter that could prove to be the end of his reign at Stamford Bridge. Conte is expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, although there is hope that an FA Cup final triumph could yet keep him at the club.
For United, finishing the Premier League season 19 points behind Manchester City has been particularly embarrassing, and having failed to win the Champions League or EFL Cup, Mourinho will be desperate to add to his extensive trophy collection with the FA Cup.
Follow the match live below...
Please allow a moment for the blog to load...
What time does it start?
The FA Cup final is due to kick-off at 17:15 BST.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on BBC One from 16:10 and BT Sport 1 from 16:00.
"I found what he did after that Brighton game disgusting"
Jermaine Jenas has launched an astonishing verbal attack on Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho after labelling his comments about Marcus Rashford earlier in the season “disgusting”.
Team News
Here's the two line ups in full
Chelsea: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso, Hazard, Giroud.
Subs: Caballero, Zappacosta, Chalobah, Barkley, Pedro, Willian, Morata.
Manchester United: De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Young; Matic, Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Sánchez, Rashford.
Subs: Romero, Bailly, Darmian, Mata, McTominay, Lukaku, Martial.
Rashford Redemption
So this afternoon is a chance for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford to prove Jose Mourinho's criticism of his wrong.
After failing to impress during United's 1-0 defeat against Brighton, Rashford was on the receiving end of a spiky Mourinho rant.
"You have the answer now when you ask 'why always Lukaku?’. We are probably not as good as people think we are individuall," said the Manchester United manager after the Brighton defeat when asked about Rashford's performance.
"It was not good enough," he added. "The players that replaced others did not perform at a good level and when individuals do that it is difficult for the team to play well. Maybe now you will not ask me why A, B and C do not play so much. I knew what was going to happen and I told them, but that is what we got."
With Romelu Lukaku only fit enough to start on the bench, Alan Shearer says on Match of the Day that Rashford has the perfect chance to prove his manager wrong.
"He's got an opportunity to ram those words down the manager's throat today, and that's what the manager wants."
Conte: "I don't think this is a disappointing season"
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte tells BBC Sport that he does not think this season has been a disappointment, despite finishing fifth after winning the title last year.
"I don't think this is a disappointing season," Conte said. "We have to play in a better way if we want to win this final. It's normal that you try to send positivity as a group, that's the best message you can send."
Chelsea start without Willian and Conte believes he has no place in Chelsea's best starting eleven. "Our starting eleven is the same team that played against Liverpool two weeks ago, it's the best formation and the best starting eleven for us today."
Jose Mourinho hints that it was Romelu Lukaku's decision not to play, and his tone suggests he is not best pleased about it.
"He made a decision: not ready to start, maybe ready to give us a little help," the Manchester United manager said on BBC Sport. "It's one thing to start the match and play for 90 minutes, another thing to play from the bench for a few minutes."
"We change Romelu with Marcus, they are two different players. He (Rashford) is going to play in the same position with different qualities."
Mourinho was reluctant to go into the importance of this game for Rashford after the young forward has been struggling for recent form. "I don't want to speak about it because I don't think it's fair. It's my philosophy as manager not to put responsibility on a player. We play as a team."
The result of this afternoon's FA Cup final will not change Mourinho's opinion that his side have enjoyed a good season, but insists he is still very determined to win. "It's better than to lose, much more beautiful.
"I don't think it's fair if I analyse my players season on one result. I think they did a positive season. Can we win? Lets try everything."
So, with less than 25 minutes until kick off, how do we see this one going?
Hopefully you see it being a slighter better game than the Independent's chief football correspondent Miguel Delaney.
Let us know you predictions in the comments section or Tweet us. We'll share some of the best and most sensible ones!
Last call for you to feast your eyes on Miguel Delaney's excellent analysis on why this final is much more than just Conte vs Mourinho.
VAR
We will witness a piece of history in today's FA Cup Final. This will be the first time that Video Assistant Refereeing (VAR) will be used in the FA Cup Final. The technology has been sporadically trailed through the competition, with mixed success, and will be in place during the World Cup.
Here's this afternoon's referee, Micheal Oliver, going through his final preparations with the kit. Neil Swarbrick will watching the match from a remote location with access to Oliver.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments