Chelsea 0-1 Leicester: Six talking points as the Foxes win their first-ever FA Cup

Emirates FA Cup-Leicester City celebrate winning the 2021 FA Cup Final against Chelsea-Wembley Stadium
Emirates FA Cup-Leicester City celebrate winning the 2021 FA Cup Final against Chelsea-Wembley Stadium | Photo Credit: IMAGO

Leicester City have been quite impressive in the Premier League this season, and they are close to securing Champions League qualification for the next season.

However, tonight’s performance in the FA Cup final against Chelsea has to be the cherry on the top for the Foxes and Brendan Rodgers.

A second-half goal from Youri Tielemans secured the club’s first-ever FA Cup success at Wembley.

Here at Anytime football, we look at the six major talking points from tonight’s contest.

The wonder strike from Youri Tielemans

The Belgian midfielder has been outstanding for Leicester all season, and he scored a sensational goal in the second half to hand his side the trophy. He picked up the ball at the centre of the park and sent an unstoppable drive past Kepa Arizzabalaga. 

There were calls for handball during the build-up, but the officials allowed the goal after checks. 

He was undoubtedly the best player on the pitch, and Tielemans was the driving force behind everything positive that came from Leicester City tonight.

VAR had its say

After a dull first half, both teams started the second vividly, and Leicester took the lead midway through the second half.

Chelsea thought that they had bagged a late equaliser with just a minute left when Leicester City defender Wes Morgan put the ball through his own net. However, upon review, VAR decided that the former Leicester defender Ben Chilwell was offside.

VAR has been a constant talking point all season, and it has made its mark in the final of the FA Cup tonight.

Brilliant Kasper Schmeichel

Apart from the VAR decision, Leicester City captain Kasper Schmeichel made two very important saves at the end of the the match. The saves from a Ben Chilwell header and a Mason Mount attempt from 15 yards, were instrumental for Leicester City victory.

The rise of Leicester City

The Foxes are not a part of the English elite, but they have managed to gate-crash their way amongst the big boys through smart recruitment and impressive coaching.

Tonight’s final shows just how well the Foxes have planned their growth over the last few seasons.

They have an impressive young manager like Brendan Rodgers in charge and several talented youngsters like Caglar Soyuncu, Wesley Fofana, Harvey Barnes, James Madison and Youri Tielemans. All of them have been instrumental to their success this season.

Tammy Abraham’s future

The Chelsea striker has been left on the fringes for most of the season, but the fact that he was left out of the final suggests that he is not a part of Thomas Tuchel’s plans.

The Blues needed a goal-scoring presence in the second half, but the 23-year-old was left out of the squad, and it is evident that he will have to leave the club in order to progress his career.

Chelsea lose back to back FA Cup finals

Mason Mount-Chelsea-FA Cup Final against Leicester City

The Blues were beaten in the finals by Arsenal back in 2020, and tonight’s defeat will be a blow to their morale. 

With the Champions League coming up, this result could affect their belief against Manchester City. It will be interesting to see if Tuchel can motivate his side and grind out a big performance against their Premier League rivals later this month.