On May 19, 2018, Chelsea faced Manchester United in the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium. Chelsea secured a 1-0 victory, with Eden Hazard’s penalty proving to be the decisive moment in a tightly contested match.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Chelsea: 1 (Eden Hazard 22′ (pen.))
- Manchester United: 0
- Possession:
- Manchester United had 66% possession, while Chelsea had 34%. Despite United’s dominance in possession, Chelsea’s disciplined defense and ability to capitalize on their key opportunity were crucial to their victory.
- Shots:
- Manchester United registered 18 shots, with 5 on target, reflecting their efforts to break down Chelsea’s defense. Chelsea had 6 shots, with 2 on target, indicating their more conservative approach but making the most of their limited chances.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Manchester United displayed a high passing accuracy of 89%, completing 561 passes out of 631 attempts. Chelsea had a passing accuracy of 77%, completing 287 passes out of 374 attempts. United’s superior passing highlighted their control of the game, but Chelsea’s defensive organization neutralized many of United’s attacks.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Chelsea made 27 tackles compared to Manchester United’s 11, showcasing their aggressive and resilient defensive approach. Chelsea’s backline, led by Antonio Rüdiger and César Azpilicueta, played a crucial role in maintaining their clean sheet.
- Set Pieces:
- The only goal of the match came from a penalty. Eden Hazard won and converted the penalty after being fouled by Phil Jones inside the box. Chelsea’s defense successfully dealt with United’s set pieces and open play attacks, limiting their opportunities to score.
- Individual Performances:
- Eden Hazard was the standout player for Chelsea, winning and converting the penalty that decided the match. His pace and skill caused problems for United’s defense throughout the game. Antonio Rüdiger and César Azpilicueta were also crucial for Chelsea, making key defensive interventions. For Manchester United, Paul Pogba and Alexis Sánchez were active but unable to break down Chelsea’s defense.
- Tactical Overview:
- Chelsea employed a 3-5-2 formation under Antonio Conte, focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacking through Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud. Manchester United used a 4-3-3 formation, with José Mourinho setting up his team to dominate possession and press high, but they struggled to convert their control into goals.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw five yellow cards, three for Manchester United (Nemanja Matić 20′, Phil Jones 21′, Ander Herrera 63′) and two for Chelsea (Cesc Fàbregas 53′, Marcos Alonso 55′). These fouls were largely tactical, aimed at breaking up play and disrupting the opposition’s momentum.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Manchester United won 9 corners compared to Chelsea’s 3, reflecting their territorial advantage, particularly in the second half. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to stretch the opposition’s defense and create scoring opportunities.
Summary
Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2018 FA Cup Final was a testament to their defensive discipline and ability to capitalize on key moments. Despite Manchester United’s dominance in possession and their numerous attempts on goal, they were unable to break through Chelsea’s solid defense. Eden Hazard’s first-half penalty, won after he was fouled by Phil Jones, proved to be the decisive goal in a match where Chelsea’s tactical approach under Antonio Conte effectively nullified United’s attacking threats. The win gave Chelsea their eighth FA Cup title and provided a positive end to a challenging season. For Manchester United, the defeat was a disappointment, as they were unable to convert their control of the game into a trophy, leaving them empty-handed for the season. The match is remembered for Hazard’s brilliance and Chelsea’s resolute defending, securing Conte’s second major trophy with the club.
