Leicester win first ever FA Cup with Youri Tielemans wonder goal as VAR rules out late Chelsea equaliser in front of 21,000 fans at Wembley

Leicester won a first ever FA Cup thanks to Youri Tielemans’ wonder goal in a 1-0 victory over Chelsea on Saturday.

The Belgium midfielder scored the game’s only goal when he let fly from 25 yards in the 63rd minute in front of 21,000 fans at Wembley.

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Tielemans let fly from distance and it paid off

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Leicester players were able to celebrate in front of their fans for the first time this year

Tielemans became the first Leicester player to score in an FA Cup final since Ken Keyworth in 1963 as he ended the club’s FA Cup final hoodoo.

It was then Leicester captain Kasper Schmeichel’s turn to be the hero when he denied Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount with two outstanding saves late on.

There was late drama, though, as Chilwell, who left Leicester to join Chelsea last summer, thought he had equalised for the Blues in the 89th minute.

However, VAR ruled the goal out for the tightest of offside calls.

Chilwell thought he had equalised for Chelsea

AFP

Leicester lifted the FA Cup for the first time ever

The Foxes had come unstuck in four previous FA Cup finals, but finally put that unwanted record to bed.

A cagey first-half saw both sides fail to register a shot on target.

Vardy had a shot blocked by Reece James as Timo Werner inadvertently diverted a Hakim Ziyech cross off the head of Cesar Azpilicueta, who was unmarked at the back post.

Leicester suffered a blow in the 34th minute when Jonny Evans was forced off with an injury and replaced by Marc Albrighton.

Evans had missed the last two games with a heel injury, but was unable to continue.

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Rodgers has won a first ever major trophy in England

Tielemans was Leicester’s match-winner

The first shot on target finally came in the 53rd minute when Marcos Alonso’s header was comfortably saved by Schmeichel.

And the breakthrough came in stunning fashion.

James’ ball out from the back was blocked by Ayoze Perez and fell to Luke Thomas’ feet. The left-back played a short pass to Tielemans, whose unstoppable strike gave Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance.

Schmeichel, Leicester’s longest serving current player, was in inspired form to preserve his invaluable clean sheet.

Vardy has now played in every FA Cup round and did not give Chelsea’s defenders a moment’s rest

He first tipped a Chilwell header on to the post, before getting a strong hand to Mount’s volley.

Chaos then ensured when a scramble in the box resulted in Caglar Soyuncu’s clearance rebounding off Chilwell and into the back of the net.

It would have been cruel for Leicester to concede in that way, but VAR rescued them to condemn Chelsea to a second successive FA Cup final defeat.

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