Foxes in la-la land
Rodgers hails Leicester’s courage as Schmeichel realises childhood dream after FA Cup triumph
TRIUMPHANT Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers saluted his fantastic Foxes after their historic FA Cup victory. Leicester lifted the trophy for the first time after Youri Tielemans’ second-half stunner beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley.
Tielemans settled a tight game which saw late drama with two fine saves from Kasper Schmeichel and former Leicester leftback Ben Chilwell having a goal ruled out by VAR.
Leicester had lost all of their previous four finals, their last coming in 1969, but finally won the trophy yesterday.
“I’m very proud, it’s a historic day for the club. Winning the FA Cup for the first time is clearly a special day,” Rodgers said.
“The players were so courageous in the game. I’m so pleased for Khun Top (chairman) and the family. It was a dream of theirs to win the FA Cup and we have been able to deliver that.
“We were playing against the Champions League finalists, we knew at times we’d have to suffer but we were worthy of the win.
“Every final you ever enter you want to win it. I have an overriding feeling of satisfaction but I’m more pleased for everyone else, the feeling it gives the supporters.
“It’s a trophy the club really wanted to win. It was a great victory for us.
“For a club like Leicester to be in the final with a great club like Chelsea, people may have been hoping from a neutral point of view we could go on and upset the odds.”
Chelsea edged the first half without ever testing Schmeichel as Timo Werner and Mason Mount shot wide.
But Leicester began to find their feet after the break and Tielemans won the cup in the 63rd minute when he collected Luke Thomas’ pass, advanced and smashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner from 25 yards.
Chelsea tried to find a leveller and Chilwell’s header was saved by Schmeichel who then made an even better stop to turn Mount’s sharp drive wide.
“I am so happy. I cannot begin to describe it. What a day!” Schmeichel said sai afterwards.
“Amazing, indescribable, this is what dreams are made of. I have dreamt of this since I was a child.
“We have talked about wanting to win trophies. What a performance today, the grit and determination, I am so proud of everybody.
“Everybody behind the scenes, all the team behind the team, medical staff and everyone. When you work together and do things properly this is what you can achieve.”
Tielemans’ goal will go down as one of the great strikes in an FA Cup final. He was afforded too much space by Jorginho on the edge of the box and unleashed a thunderous drive straight into the top corner, leaving Kepa Arrizabalaga helpless in goal.
“It feels really good, I think it is amazing,” Tielemans said.
“I am really glad to have scored the goal to have helped the team to win the game. It was a really tight game, but to score a goal like that in the final, what a goal it was.
“Today I got a text message saying I had to hit for the top corner – and I did it.”
“To have the fans in today was really special, I hope everyone will savour today and also the fans who have been at home and supported us the whole year through.”
Rodgers has now won all seven finals he has managed in but insisted it is not about him.
“Every trophy you win is special, this is my seventh final and luckily I have been able to win all seven, you can do that with players who have courage,” he said. “I’m proud on a personal front but it’s about everyone else, seeing the happiness on supporters’ faces. It’s a special day.
“It’s been such a tough year for the supporters, the pandemic has kept them out of the stadium but as we have seen today that’s what it is about, the connection between the fans, players and staff.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere and I’m so happy Leicester supporters could be there to see us win it.” – The Independent