Eden Hazard's first-half penalty proved decisive as Chelsea salvaged their season by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final in what is widely-expected to be manager Antonio Conte's swansong Saturday.
The Belgian's searing pace earned the spot-kick in the 21st minute after forcing Phil Jones into a desperate lunging tackle and he coolly tucked it away for what proved to be the winner.
Jose Mourinho's United were dismal in a scrappy first half and although they improved significantly after the break they were denied a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph and ended the season without a trophy.
Chelsea, whose Premier League title defence fizzled out into a fifth-placed finish, survived several scares but they defended superbly as Conte celebrated his first domestic cup honour as a manager having seen his side beaten by Arsenal a year ago.
It was only Mourinho's third defeat in 15 Cup finals as a manager.
FA CUP FINAL
Chelsea 1 (Hazard – 22P) 0 Manchester United
MOST TITLES
13: Arsenal
12: Manchester United
8: Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea
7: Liverpool and Aston Villa
6: Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers
5: Everton, Manchester City, Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion
ROLL OF HONOUR
Year Champion Runners-up
2018 Chelsea Manchester United
2017 Arsenal Chelsea
2016 Manchester United Crystal Palace
2015 Arsenal Aston Villa
2014 Arsenal Hull City
2013 Wigan Athletic Manchester City
2012 Chelsea Liverpool
2011 Manchester City Stoke City
2010 Chelsea Portsmouth
2009 Chelsea Everton
