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Leicester lift FA Cup title after 52 yrs

May 17, 2021 00:00:00


LONDON, May 16 (Reuters): A magnificent long-range strike from Youri Tielemans gave Leicester City their first FA Cup triumph with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, in front of the biggest crowd in England since March 2020.

A landmark day, as 21,000 fans returned to the national stadium after last year's final was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic, ended with emotional scenes as Leicester's Thai owner was invited on to the field to celebrate with the team.

Aiyawatt Srivad dhanaprabha's father Vichai, whose ownership helped transform the Midlands club, died in 2018 in a helicopter crash at Leicester's stadium.

Leicester had been beaten in all their four previous FA Cup final appearances, most recently in 1969, and it was a goal that will be remembered as one of the finest in the competition's 149-year history that earned their maiden win.

There was late drama when Wes Morgan put through his own goal in the 89th minute to get Chelsea thinking they were taking the game into extra-time, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.

Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea dominated the first half but struggled to create major openings, even after Leicester lost their centre half Jonny Evans to injury in the 34th minute.


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