Liverpool have won the FA Cup for the first time since 2006. Just like in the League Cup final, there were penalties in the final against Chelsea and once again it was Liverpool who were the best.
Liverpool and Chelsea miss the opportunities
No Origi in the base at Liverpool, Lukaku was allowed to start at Chelsea, where Havertz dropped out injured at the last minute. The Red Devil was on an island in the opening minutes, because Liverpool immediately grabbed Chelsea by the throat. Especially Diaz made it very difficult for the Blues, after less than 10 minutes Mendy kept the Colombian from 0-1.
Chelsea did not surface until halfway through the first half when Pulisic narrowly scored on a pass from Mount. Not much later, the American presented a dot of a chance to Alonso, but he aimed for Alisson after a weak assumption. Liverpool escaped, but also had bad luck when Salah had to leave injured after half an hour.
As strong Liverpool’s start was, so bright was Chelsea’s start in the second half. Alonso narrowly scored and aimed a free kick at the crossbar, while Pulisic forced Alisson to make a good save.
Liverpool escaped, but came very close to the winning goal in the final phase itself. The goal wood threw a spanner in the works for the Reds on two occasions. First Diaz hit the outside of the post, then Robertson hit the stake from close range. Lukaku just saw it happen on the field, he was replaced by Ziyech after a pale match.
Mendy and Alisson didn’t flinch:
Painful déjà vu Chelsea
There were no more goals and so we got extra time at Wembley. They turned out to be a size for nothing. Just like in the League Cup final at the end of February, penalties had to make the decision. Then Tuchel quickly exchanged Mendy for Kepa. That didn’t work out well, so he let Mendy stand this time.
But again things went wrong for the London club. Azpilicueta hit the second penalty for Chelsea against the post and Mane could decide it at 4-4, but the Senegalese failed. Liverpool got a second chance when Alisson took the penalty from Mount and substitute Tsimikas didn’t crack under the pressure.
The FA Cup is once again for Liverpool for the first time since 2006. Chelsea relives a nightmare. After the loss in the League Cup final, it is now also left empty-handed.
Tsimikas blasts Liverpool to the win:
clock 20:00 penalty kicksclock 19:45 penalty kicks
