2018 FA Cup final
The 2018 FA Cup final was the 137th edition of the Football Association Challenge Cup, the world's oldest association football competition, contested on 19 May 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London between Premier League clubs Chelsea and Manchester United.[1][2] Managed by Antonio Conte and José Mourinho respectively, the two sides had reached the final after overcoming Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals, with Chelsea prevailing in a penalty shoot-out and Manchester United securing a 2–1 victory.[2][3] Chelsea emerged victorious with a 1–0 win, courtesy of a penalty converted by Eden Hazard in the 22nd minute following a foul by Manchester United's Phil Jones, marking the first penalty goal in an FA Cup final (excluding shoot-outs) since Manchester United's triumph over Millwall in 2004.[2][4] The match, attended by 87,647 spectators, was a tense affair dominated by Chelsea's defensive resilience, with Antonio Rüdiger named man of the match for his commanding performance at centre-back.[2][5] The victory secured Chelsea's eighth FA Cup title, placing them third on the all-time winners' list behind Arsenal (14) and Manchester United (12), and provided a fitting end to Conte's tenure amid a turbulent season where the Blues finished fifth in the Premier League.[2][6] Notably, it completed a historic domestic cup treble for Chelsea, as the club also won the Women's FA Cup against Arsenal and the FA Youth Cup against Arsenal that season, underscoring their dominance across age groups.[2] For Mourinho's Manchester United, the defeat extended their wait for a major trophy to two years and highlighted ongoing struggles despite a strong second-place league finish.[3][6]Route to the final
Chelsea
Chelsea entered the 2017–18 FA Cup in the third round, drawing 0–0 away to Norwich City at Carrow Road on 6 January 2018.[7] The match featured a much-changed Chelsea side under manager Antonio Conte, with Norwich dominating early but failing to create clear chances, while Chelsea improved after halftime without breaking the deadlock, leading to a replay at Stamford Bridge.[7] In the replay on 17 January 2018, Chelsea drew 1–1 after extra time before winning 5–3 on penalties to advance.[8] Willian opened the scoring in the 52nd minute with a low shot from the edge of the box, but James Maddison equalized for Norwich in the 89th minute via a deflected effort.[9] The tie was notable for two red cards to Chelsea players—Pedro for two bookings (diving and a foul) and Álvaro Morata for two bookings (diving and dissent)—reducing the Blues to nine men late on, as well as England's first video assistant referee (VAR) controversy when Willian was not awarded a penalty for a perceived dive.[8] Willy Caballero saved Norwich's first penalty from Nelson Oliveira, and Eden Hazard converted the decisive kick to secure progression.[8] Advancing to the fourth round, Chelsea hosted Newcastle United on 28 January 2018 and secured a 3–0 victory at Stamford Bridge.[10] Michy Batshuayi scored twice in the first half—his fifth and sixth FA Cup goals for the club—first tapping in after a parried save and then finishing a cross from Victor Moses, while Marcos Alonso sealed the win with a curling free-kick in the 83rd minute.[10] The clean sheet highlighted Chelsea's defensive solidity against a fellow Premier League side struggling in the relegation zone. In the fifth round on 17 February 2018, Chelsea hosted Hull City and won 4–0 at Stamford Bridge, with Willy Caballero's penalty save proving pivotal.[11] Willian opened the scoring after 106 seconds with a curled shot from 20 yards, added his second with a 25-yard strike in the 69th minute, Pedro netted in the 51st from a Cesc Fàbregas pass, and Olivier Giroud marked his first goal for the club with a close-range finish assisted by Emerson Palmieri.[11] Hull were awarded a penalty in the 64th minute when David Meyler was fouled, but Caballero dived to his left to deny Fraizer Campbell, preserving the shutout.[11] Giroud's debut strike underscored his growing integration into the squad following his January transfer from Arsenal. Chelsea traveled to the King Power Stadium for the quarter-final against Leicester City on 18 March 2018, prevailing 2–1 after extra time in a tense encounter.[12] Álvaro Morata gave the Blues a first-half lead with a header from a Pedro cross in the 18th minute, but Jamie Vardy equalized in the 76th minute after outpacing the defense to finish low past Courtois.[12] The game remained level until extra time, when Pedro headed the winner in the 105th minute from an N'Golo Kanté cross, capitalizing on a misjudgment by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.[12] This comeback victory, despite Chelsea's earlier dominance, demonstrated resilience amid a challenging Premier League campaign. In the semi-final at Wembley Stadium on 22 April 2018, Chelsea defeated Southampton 2–0 to reach the final.[13] Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a mazy solo run, dribbling past three defenders before poking the ball past goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.[13] Substitute Álvaro Morata sealed the win in the 82nd minute, heading in César Azpilicueta's cross unmarked at the back post.[13] The performance showcased Chelsea's attacking flair, with Giroud and Morata combining for both goals in a controlled display against a relegation-threatened opponent. Chelsea's route to the final comprised five victories, including one via penalty shootout, with 12 goals scored and 2 conceded across the ties.[8][10][11][12][13] Willian emerged as a key contributor with three goals, while Giroud and Morata each netted twice, providing crucial firepower in the later rounds.[11][13] Batshuayi and Pedro also scored twice apiece, highlighting the squad's depth amid Conte's rotation strategy. Notable events included the VAR debut and red cards in the third-round replay, Caballero's penalty save against Hull, and the extra-time drama at Leicester, all underscoring Chelsea's grit en route to Wembley.[8][11][12]Manchester United
Manchester United entered the 2017–18 FA Cup in the third round, as is standard for Premier League clubs, and progressed through the competition with a series of convincing victories, conceding just once across five matches. Under manager José Mourinho, the team demonstrated strong defensive organization and clinical finishing, with Romelu Lukaku emerging as a key scorer by netting in every round. Their path showcased a blend of home comfort and away resilience, ultimately securing a place in the final against Chelsea.[14][15][16] In the third round on 5 January 2018, Manchester United hosted Derby County at Old Trafford and secured a 2–0 victory despite a testing performance. The game remained goalless until the 89th minute when Jesse Lingard curled in a stunning long-range strike from the edge of the box, followed by Romelu Lukaku's close-range finish in the 90+3rd minute after a scramble in the area. This result advanced them to the fourth round, with the late goals reflecting United's persistence against a resilient Championship side managed by former United striker Frank Lampard.[14][17][15] The fourth round saw United travel to Huish Park on 26 January 2018 to face League Two side Yeovil Town, marking the debut of new signing Alexis Sánchez. They dominated with a 4–0 win, starting with Marcus Rashford's low shot in the 41st minute after a Sánchez assist, followed by Ander Herrera's header in the 61st minute, also set up by Sánchez. Jesse Lingard added a third in the 89th minute with a deflected effort, and Lukaku completed the scoring in the 90+3rd minute from a Darmian cross. The match highlighted United's attacking depth and Sánchez's immediate impact, as Yeovil, despite early chances, could not compete with the Premier League outfit's quality.[18][19][20] Advancing to the fifth round, United hosted Huddersfield Town on 17 February 2018 at Old Trafford in a Premier League matchup. Lukaku struck twice to secure a 2–0 win: first in the 3rd minute with a powerful header from a Juan Mata cross, and again in the 55th minute after latching onto a through-ball from Sánchez. The game featured a notable Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention, disallowing a Huddersfield goal for offside, underscoring the competition's growing use of technology. United's control and Lukaku's predatory instincts ensured progression without alarm.[21][22][16] In the quarter-finals on 17 March 2018, United faced Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford and prevailed 2–0 in a hard-fought encounter. Lukaku opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a header from a Marcus Rashford corner, capitalizing on poor marking. The game turned scrappy, with Brighton pressing late, but Nemanja Matić sealed victory in the 90+4th minute with a towering header from another Rashford delivery. This result, against a fellow top-flight side, highlighted United's set-piece prowess and defensive resolve, booking a semi-final spot.[23][24][25] The semi-finals on 21 April 2018 at Wembley Stadium pitted United against Tottenham Hotspur in a tense 2–1 victory. Tottenham took the lead in the 11th minute through Dele Alli's header from a Christian Eriksen free-kick, but Sánchez equalized in the 24th minute with a diving header from a Jesse Lingard cross. The winner came in the 62nd minute when Ander Herrera volleyed home after Lingard's clever back-heel assist, with United holding firm against late Tottenham pressure. This comeback win, equaling United's record of 20 FA Cup final appearances, exemplified their resilience under Mourinho.[26][27][28] Overall, Manchester United's campaign yielded five wins, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one, with an impeccable defensive record in four clean sheets. Lukaku's five goals across the ties marked him as the tournament's joint-top scorer at that stage, while the team's progression underscored their solidity and ability to grind out results against varied opposition.[29][30]Pre-match
Background
The 2017–18 FA Cup, officially known as the Emirates FA Cup for sponsorship reasons, was the 137th season of the Football Association Challenge Cup, the world's oldest association football knockout competition. It featured a single-elimination format with 737 participating clubs, beginning with extra-preliminary and preliminary rounds in August 2017 for lower-tier non-league teams, progressing through six qualifying rounds before the first round proper in November, where teams from EFL League One and League Two entered. Premier League and EFL Championship clubs joined at the third round in January 2018, with all matches drawn at random and replays for ties until the semi-finals, which were single-leg at neutral venues; the final was held at Wembley Stadium as the traditional neutral venue.[31][32] Chelsea entered their 13th FA Cup final in 2018, having won the competition on seven previous occasions, with their most recent triumph in 2012 when they defeated Liverpool 2–1 at Wembley. The Blues' earlier successes included victories in 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, and 2010, establishing them as one of England's most successful cup teams in the modern era. Manchester United, meanwhile, were appearing in a record 20th FA Cup final, with 12 prior wins, the latest in 2016 via a 2–1 extra-time victory over Crystal Palace; their historical triumphs dated back to 1908, including notable doubles with league titles in 1994, 1996, and 1999.[33][34][35] The two clubs had met in FA Cup finals twice before 2018: Manchester United won 4–0 in 1994, with goals from Eric Cantona (two), Bryan Robson, and Mark Hughes overwhelming a Chelsea side managed by Glenn Hoddle, and Chelsea prevailed 1–0 after extra time in 2007, courtesy of Didier Drogba's 116th-minute winner against Alex Ferguson's United, securing a domestic cup double. The 2018 final on 19 May at Wembley Stadium in London marked the first use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology in an FA Cup showpiece, with Neil Swarbrick serving as the inaugural VAR official to assist referee Michael Oliver. The match drew a full house of 87,647 spectators, filling the stadium's capacity.[34][36][37][2]Build-up
The 2018 FA Cup final pitted Chelsea, managed by Antonio Conte in what would prove to be his final season with the club, against Manchester United under José Mourinho, who was facing his former employers where he had previously secured three Premier League titles.[38][39] Tensions between the two managers had simmered throughout the season, marked by public spats over tactics and personal conduct, though Conte downplayed any ongoing feud in the build-up, stating he maintained a "normal relationship" with Mourinho and intended to shake his hand before the match.[39][40] Team news highlighted several concerns for both sides. Chelsea were without defender Andreas Christensen, who suffered a back injury in training and was ruled out of the squad, while left-back Emerson Palmieri remained sidelined with a hamstring problem sustained earlier in the season.[41][42] Predicted lineups saw Conte expected to deploy a 3-4-3 formation with Thibaut Courtois in goal, a back three of César Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, and David Luiz, and Eden Hazard leading the attack alongside Olivier Giroud and Willian.[5] For Manchester United, Romelu Lukaku's fitness was in doubt after missing recent matches with an ankle injury, though Mourinho indicated a late decision would be made, while Anthony Martial had recovered from a minor knee issue; Mourinho anticipated a 4-3-3 setup featuring David de Gea, a defense of Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Luke Shaw, with Paul Pogba in midfield and Marcus Rashford up front.[43][44] Pre-match events centered on press conferences that amplified the managerial rivalry's media hype. In his final pre-game briefing on May 18, Conte emphasized the FA Cup's significance as a potential season highlight amid Chelsea's inconsistent Premier League campaign, while addressing Emerson's absence and expressing optimism about the team's preparation.[42] Mourinho, speaking separately, focused on squad selection dilemmas like Lukaku's status and avoided reigniting the Conte feud, instead praising the occasion's prestige.[43] Player interviews, including from Hazard who highlighted the personal stakes of ending the season on a high, fueled narratives around the intra-London derby atmosphere despite the clubs' historical animosity.[45] Betting markets positioned Manchester United as slight favorites at 4/5 odds to lift the trophy, reflecting their second-place Premier League finish compared to Chelsea's fifth, though Chelsea were close behind at 19/20; predictions leaned toward a low-scoring affair, with a 1-0 United win commonly tipped due to Mourinho's strong record in finals.[46][47] The trophy presentation was arranged as a tribute to the late Ray Wilkins, a former player for both clubs who died in April 2018, with his widow Jackie Wilkins stepping in to hand over the cup from the Royal Box; this followed confirmation that Prince William, the FA's president, would be absent due to attending his brother Prince Harry's wedding on the same day.[48][49] Wembley Stadium's logistical preparations included standard pitch maintenance and security setups for an expected crowd of around 87,000, with the match scheduled for a 5:15 p.m. kick-off under clear skies and dry, sunny conditions reaching highs of 21°C (70°F) in London.[4]Match
First half
Manchester United dominated possession in the opening half, enjoying approximately 65% of the ball as they looked to build attacks from the back, but Chelsea's organized defense, anchored by Antonio Rüdiger and César Azpilicueta, effectively neutralized their efforts. Early in the match, around the 9th minute, Eden Hazard tested David de Gea with a low shot from the edge of the box following a mistake by Phil Jones, forcing the Manchester United goalkeeper into a sharp near-post save. Despite United's control, they struggled to penetrate Chelsea's back three, with their play often limited to crosses that were comfortably cleared. The decisive moment came in the 22nd minute when Hazard twisted past Jones inside the penalty area, drawing a clumsy foul from the defender. Referee Michael Oliver awarded Chelsea a penalty, and Jones was shown a yellow card for the challenge. Hazard stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past de Gea, who dived the wrong way, giving Chelsea a 1–0 lead that would stand as the only goal of the game. United responded with increased pressure, registering multiple shots but failing to seriously threaten Thibaut Courtois' goal. Paul Pogba curled a shot wide of the post from 20 yards, while Marcus Rashford was denied by a last-ditch block after breaking into the box. Late in the half, during stoppage time, Jones rose highest from an Ashley Young corner but headed wide from close range. Courtois did well to cover Pogba's deflected effort earlier in the period, contributing to Chelsea's defensive solidity. The half concluded with Chelsea leading 1–0, having capitalized on their counter-attacking opportunities despite holding just 35% possession.Second half
Manchester United emerged from the half-time interval with renewed intensity, dominating possession and launching a series of attacks in search of an equalizer to Eden Hazard's earlier penalty.[4] Early pressure saw Marcus Rashford curl a free-kick into the area, where Paul Pogba's header was punched clear by Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, before Antonio Valencia's subsequent shot was parried and Pogba's follow-up rebound saved.[4] In the 63rd minute, Alexis Sánchez thought he had leveled the score, tapping in after Courtois parried Rashford's effort, but the goal was ruled out for offside following a VAR review.[50] Chelsea, defending resolutely, made no changes until late, with manager Antonio Conte opting to maintain his lineup amid United's mounting pressure. Hazard, who had received treatment for an injury concern around the 50th minute, continued to contribute before being substituted.[4] United, having registered just a few attempts in the first half, took the majority of their 18 total shots in the second period, including efforts from Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial after their introductions.[51] In the 73rd minute, United made a double substitution, bringing on Lukaku for Rashford and Martial for Jesse Lingard to inject fresh attacking threat; Lukaku later forced a save from Courtois, while Martial's close-range effort was blocked.[2] Juan Mata replaced Phil Jones in the 87th minute as United pushed for a late breakthrough.[2] Chelsea responded with substitutions in stoppage time: Álvaro Morata entered for Olivier Giroud in the 89th minute, followed by Willian replacing the limping Hazard in the 91st.[2] Despite further chances, including Pogba heading wide from a corner and Nemanja Matić's long-range strike punched away by Courtois, United could not find the net, with Courtois making a series of crucial saves to preserve the lead.[6] The match concluded in the fifth minute of added time, with Chelsea securing a 1–0 victory.[2] Antonio Rüdiger was named Man of the Match for his commanding defensive display, including multiple clearances and interceptions that thwarted United's advances.[2]Details
The 2018 FA Cup final was held on 19 May 2018 at Wembley Stadium in London, England, with kick-off scheduled at 17:15 BST (16:15 UTC).[37] Half-time occurred at around 18:00 BST, and full-time at approximately 18:45 BST. The match drew an attendance of 87,647 spectators.[5] Michael Oliver of Northumberland served as the referee, assisted by Lee Betts of Northumberland and Ian Hussin of Oxfordshire, with Lee Mason of Lancashire as the fourth official.[37] This final marked the first use of the video assistant referee (VAR) system in the competition's history, with Neil Swarbrick of Lancashire acting as VAR and Mick McDonough of Northumberland as assistant VAR.[37] Chelsea, managed by Antonio Conte, lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Thibaut Courtois (GK); César Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill (captain), Antonio Rüdiger; Victor Moses, Tiemoué Bakayoko, N'Golo Kanté, Cesc Fàbregas, Marcos Alonso; Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud. Substitutes included Willy Caballero (GK), Davide Zappacosta, Danny Drinkwater, Pedro, Willian, Álvaro Morata, and Ross Barkley.[5] Manchester United, under José Mourinho, adopted a 4-3-3 formation: David de Gea (GK); Antonio Valencia (captain), Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Ashley Young; Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matić, Paul Pogba; Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sánchez. Substitutes were Sergio Romero (GK), Eric Bailly, Matteo Darmian, Scott McTominay, Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, and Anthony Martial.[5]Statistics
The 2018 FA Cup final was decided by a single goal from Eden Hazard, who converted a penalty in the 22nd minute after being fouled by Phil Jones in the Manchester United penalty area.[2] Manchester United held significant control of the game, reflected in their 66.5% possession compared to Chelsea's 33.5%. They also outshot Chelsea 18–6 overall, with 5 shots on target to Chelsea's 3, and earned 9 corners to Chelsea's 5. Chelsea's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made 5 saves to David de Gea's 2 for United. Fouls were relatively even, with Chelsea committing 11 and United 13.[52]| Statistic | Chelsea | Manchester United |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 33.5% | 66.5% |
| Shots (on target) | 6 (3) | 18 (5) |
| Corners | 5 | 9 |
| Fouls | 11 | 13 |
| Passes completed | 226 | 515 |