CHELSEA 1, MAN UNITED 0
Manchester United’s dream of a record equalling 13th Emirates FA Cup win were dashed by Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.
The Belgian’s first half penalty was all that separated the teams as Jose Mourinho’s former employers dashed his last chance of silverware.
And if it is to be Antonio Conte’s last match as Chelsea manager, as widely predicted, he went out of a triumphant note.
In a disappointing final, Chelsea took the lead and then shut up shop, a tactic so often successfully employed by Mourinho.
And though United, playing a record equalling 20th final, enjoyed more than two thirds possession, they created precious little in this game of few clear-cut chances.
Mourinho, in congratulating Chelsea, did not think United deserved to lose, explaining the absences of Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini were crucial factors.
He said: “I am Manchester United manager and have to be respectful, not just because they are my previous club, but because they are the opponents, but I think we deserved to win.
“I am quite curious to know what you say or what people write because if my team played like Chelsea did, I can imagine what people would say. I am quite curious.
“It was a bit hard for us to play without Lukaku against a team that defends with nine players. You need that presence.
“Every defeat hurts, but I go home with the feeling we gave everything. No regrets.
“Chelsea are not stupid. They know our team without Lukaku or Fellaini does not have a presence, so by putting eight or nine players in front of the box, they knew they would be dominant in that direct football.
“We tried everything by other ways, but they had a huge block of compacted players.”
Conte was satisfied to win his second trophy in two seasons at Stamford Bridge, though he admitted failing to qualify for the Champions League was “not good”.
He again spoke of the “difficulties” he has had this season, adding he was committed to Chelsea and serving the last year of his contract.
United’s manager confirmed Lukaku had told him he was not ready to start so it was a question of how many minutes he could play, adding it would have been “nonsense” to try and convince him to start.
Lukaku was only fit to be on the bench for United who had Marcus Rashford leading their attacking line alongside Alexis Sanchez in a 4-1-2-1-2 formation.
The absence of the £75million Lukaku was a blow for the Reds given he has scored 27 goals for the Reds.
Anthony Martial and Juan Mata provided attacking options on the bench.
Chelsea preferred Olivier Giroud to Alvara Morato up front while flair pair Pedro and Willian had to be content with substitute spots.
A poor pass by Phil Jones was intercepted to set up the first chance of the game in the ninth minute as Hazard went clear on the left only for his well-struck angled shot to be well kept out by the legs of David De Gea.
After a largely uneventful opening the breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Chelsea won a penalty when Hazard, who burst through on goal, was brought down by Phil Jones.
Chelsea were furious referee Michael Oliver only brandished a yellow card when Hazard was through on goal, though replays suggested the defender may have got a touch on the ball.
Hazard scored from the spot with the coolest of finishes as he sent De Gea the wrong way for his 17th goal of the season.
United’s first goal attempt after half an hour saw a drive from Paul Pogba flash just wide.
And just before half time, Jones headed wide at the far post from three yards following a cross from Ashley Young.
United were enjoying almost two thirds of possession, but doing precious little with it.
The only moment of danger came when Chelsea failed to clear danger and Rashford’s fierce low shot was beaten out by keeper Thibaut Courtois.
United thought they had equalised in the 63rd minute when Sanchez found the net after Jesse Lingard’s header struck the upright, but he had strayed offside, a decision given by Oliver and upheld by the video assistant referee.
Chelsea claimed a second penalty and replays showed Ashley Young handled a ball from Victor Moses, but Oliver did not spot the offence in a move that led to Marcos Alonso forcing a decent save from Courtois.
Rashford then had a chance, but Courtois spread himself well to smother his shot as the game began to open up.
United made a double change after 73 minutes when Rashford and Lingard made way for Lukaku and Martial.
Nemanja Matic had a fierce drive punched to safety by Courtois as United searched for an equaliser.
The closest they came to finding the net came with eight minutes later when Pogba’s header flashed just wide after a corner from Martial.
Mourinho’s last throw of the dice with little over three minutes later saw defender Jones replaced by midfielder Mata.
Chelsea’s first change in the last minute saw Morata replace Giroud in a like-for-like swop and in the first of five added minutes Hazard made way for Willian.
Matic headed over deep into stoppage time, United’s last change of a disappointing day for the Reds.