HAZARD SHOOTS CHELSEA TO FA CUP GLORY

Eden Hazard delivered a potential parting gift to Antonio Conte as Chelsea edged Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley to win the FA Cup for the eighth time.

Hazard calmly converted a 22nd-minute penalty after being brought down by Phil Jones and it proved decisive as the Blues avenged last year's defeat to Arsenal and ended a tumultuous campaign on a high note.

The 27-year-old forward fuelled speculation over his future this week by stating he will wait and see how Chelsea's close-season transfer policy develops before committing to a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

United improved upon a tepid showing after the break and Alexis Sanchez had a goal ruled out for offside, but even the late introduction of Romelu Lukaku on his return from an ankle injury could not force an equaliser.

It meant a sweet victory for Antonio Conte over his rival Jose Mourinho on what could prove his farewell outing as Chelsea coach, with the FA Cup a notable consolation after their Premier League title defence slumped to a fifth-place finish.

Mourinho's side enjoyed their first sustained spell of pressure early in the second half, with Ander Herrera liberated from attempting to shackle Hazard and lending greater impetus to United's midfield play. 

Thibaut Courtois beat away a drive from Rashford and Pogba saw a deflected 57th-minute shot loop behind, before Nemanja Matic scuffed wide wastefully against his former club.

The pressure looked to have told in the 63rd minute but Sanchez was fractionally offside – a decision confirmed by VAR – when he prodded in after Courtois denied Jones.

Chelsea attacks had become a rarity by the time N'Golo Kante marauded forward and played in Marcos Alonso. The wing-back was denied by his countryman De Gea and Young escaped penalty claims for handball as Chelsea followed up.

Courtois denied Rashford one against one before the England forward made way for Lukaku, and Mourinho would no doubt have preferred a glorious 82nd-minute headed chance fell to the Belgian as opposed to Pogba.

United's record signing was unmarked but directed substitute Anthony Martial's corner wide, condemning his boss to a trophyless campaign.