BREAKING: Chelsea Beat Manchester United In FA Cup Final

Eden Hazard marked a milestone appearance scoring the only goal of the game from a penalty he had won in the first half that saw Chelsea edge out Manchester United 1-0,

That meant Hazard was playing his 300th Chelsea game, alongside Olivier Giroud at the front of the attack.

Thibaut Courtois started his first FA Cup match of the season and Gary Cahill, fresh from his England recall was in the centre of defence.

Much credit, meanwhile, went to the Blues’ defence.

A combination of the tactical plan and Manchester United pressure, in the second half, meant there was a job to be done by Thibaut Courtois and the men in front of him.

Currently, Chelsea have eighth FA Cups, moving it level in that cup count with Tottenham and clear of Liverpool and Aston Villa.

The Blues also completed a unique treble of FA Cup, Women’s FA Cup and FA Youth Cup in one season.

Manchester United paid the penalty, literally, for a subdued Wembley first half as Hazard’s spot-kick won Chelsea the Cup final.

A legendary fightback looked on the cards with a thrilling second-half display by Jose Mourinho’s side, yet the Reds were unable to cancel out the 22nd-minute winner from Hazard.

United’s half of the stadium were enthralled and rejuvenated by a brilliant rally in the second period but it was that opening half which cost their team the trophy.

Wembley was done up to the nines with all its pre-match pomp and ceremony.

Pyrotechnics, flame throwers, flags and a fly past by the Royal Air Force all added to the build-up to the big occasion.

There were also two huge banners hanging down from both ends of the stadium to honour the late Ray Wilkins who played for both clubs.

The much loved and respected midfielder died last month at the age of 61.

United boss Jose Mourinho had given Romelu Lukaku every chance to be fit to be named in his cup final line-up.

Having injured his ankle last month against Arsenal, the striker had been back home in Belgium attempting to make a 100 per cent recovery.

He is United’s top scorer in the competition this season with five goals but despite all the best efforts, the medics and Mourinho decided he couldn’t be risked from the start.

Lukaku did make the bench and had to watch his fellow countryman Eden Hazard pretty much dominate the first half of the final.

The Belgian midfielder was a thorn in United’s side as he grabbed centre stage above anyone else.

A distribution error from Phil Jones enabled Chelsea to break on United in the ninth minute and Hazard almost prospered but his drive was stopped at his near post by David De Gea’s right leg.

It was a warning shot for United.

There were two shouts for spot kicks from both sides but referee Michael Oliver got both calls after the challenges on Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alexis correct.

The official was also bang on in the biggest moment of the first half.

Hazard again had the opportunity to run at United as Chelsea sprang from their own half and the midfielder got ahead in the race with Jones.

United’s centre-back was struggling and had to lunge in to tackle Hazard but the attempt only upended the Belgian and Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

There was little argument among the Reds’ ranks and in the 12-yard shoot-out, even De Gea couldn’t read Hazard and he went the wrong way as he put Chelsea 1-0 ahead.

At that stage, United could not find any fire or cutting edge to disrupt Chelsea’s comfortable afternoon.

Relentless United were piling it on and Paul Pogba came close with eight minutes to go with a glancing header from an Antonio Valencia corner.

With the urgent need for a late goal, Mourinho played his last personnel card. He sacrificed Jones in defence for Juan Mata with three minutes of normal time to go.

But the Reds had run out of steam and Chelsea, who had been on the back foot since the interval, were able to survive and hold out for a slender victory.