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Chelsea 0(5)-0(6) Liverpool summary: score, goals, highlights, 2022 FA Cup final

Update:
Tsimikas on the spot as unlikely hero as Liverpool win FA cup

Chelsea vs Liverpool: FA Cup final as it happened

Chelsea vs Liverpool: headlines

- Liverpool win FA Cup on penalties after final ends goalless

- Tsimikas scores winning penalty for Reds

- Liverpool lift first FA Cup since 2006

- Champions League final worry for Jürgen Klopp as Salah off injured in first half

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Thanks for reading!

OK, we're going to wrap up this live feed. Liverpool have won their eighth FA Cup, to go with the Carabao Cup they lifted in February - also against Chelsea.

Now, as they chase a historic quadruple, their attentions will turn to Southampton on Tuesday and Wolves on Sunday week, as they bid to pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.

Then it's off to Paris - and, with exactly 14 days to go until the Champions League final, we'll have to see how serious that Mo Salah groin injury is. He seemed to be taking part in the celebrations with gusto, which is perhaps a good sign.

As for Chelsea, yet another domestic cup final defeat means they end a tumultuous season off the pitch without major silverware on it. Unless you happen to count the Club World Cup or the Super Cup, which you really shouldn't. Barring an almighty meltdown, they'll make the top four, though.

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Henderson

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts the FA Cup.

(Photo: Glyn Kirk/Getty Images)

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Henderson lifts the trophy!

Now it's Liverpool's turn. Joy is written all over Klopp's face, the German dishing out high-fives and fist pumps as he picks up his medal. It's the sixth trophy of his Liverpool tenure, and it's the one domestic gong that had eluded him.

Prince William passes the trophy to Henderson, who lifts it high into the sky! It's then passed down the line from player to player - and there are particularly loud cheers from the Liverpool fans when it comes to Tsimikas.

Klopp is the first German coach to win the FA Cup, incidentally.

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Chelsea pick up losers' medals

Chelsea are up to collect their losers' medals. They're announced by the stadium speaker with rather more enthusiasm than is on their faces as they make their way along the royal box.

Chelsea have now lost four out of the last six FA Cup finals. Crikey.

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Tsimikas

Another photo of Liverpool's celebrations after Tsimikas' decisive spot-kick.

(Photo: Tom Dulat - The FA/Getty Images)

 

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Greek glee

Liverpool have shared this fabulous photo of Tsimikas running away in celebration after scoring the winning penalty, with his Reds team-mates in pursuit.

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Chelsea make unwanted FA Cup history

As Opta point out, Chelsea are the first team to lose three straight FA Cup final appearances since Newcastle United. They're also the first ever to lose the showpiece game in three consecutive years.

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Trophy number two... of four?

Tsimikas wheels away in delight, while Mount's face is a picture of dejection. His Chelsea team-mates comfort him, but he has that typical hundred-mile stare of a player who has missed his penalty.

Liverpool celebrate their first FA Cup win since 2006, and their eighth overall. That brings them level with Chelsea's all-time haul, by the way.

It's the first time the Reds have won both of England's domestic cup competitions in the same season since 2001. That year, there would be more silverware to follow, of course. Will the same be true in 2022?

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Tsimikas scores for Liverpool - the Reds win the FA Cup!

Tsimikas strokes the ball into the corner, sending Mendy the wrong way, and Liverpool have won the FA Cup!

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Mount misses for Chelsea - 5-5

Mount takes...and Alisson saves! It wasn't far enough into the corner.

Tsimikas will win the FA Cup for Liverpool if he scores.

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Jota scores for Liverpool 5-5

All the pressure is on Liverpool now.

Jota must score... and does! He shows real composure and finds the right-hand corner.

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Ziyech scores for Chelsea - 5-4

So, into sudden-death we go. Ziyech is made to wait to take his penalty, as a flare is cleared off the pitch. That doesn't do him any favours - but he thumps his spot-kick into the corner!

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Mané misses for Liverpool - 4-4

Well, well, well! It's Mané who'll take Liverpool's fifth penalty, and if he scores, the Reds have won it.

He doesn't score! Mendy gets down low to save! Chelsea are still alive!

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Jorginho scores for Chelsea - 4-4

Jorginho has to score... and does! No jump from him this time. He sends Alisson the wrong way.

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Alexander-Arnold scores - 3-4

Alexander-Arnold sends Mendy the wrong way - and Chelsea must score their next spot-kick.

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Barkley scores for Chelsea - 3-3

Again the pressure is on the Chelsea player. It's Ross Barkley, who has come on to take a penalty. And score it he does! Very coolly taken.

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Firmino scores for Liverpool - 2-3

Up steps, Firmino... and he scores! Three out of three for Liverpool.

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James scores for Chelsea - 2-2

All the pressure is on James, but he finds the net!

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Thiago scores for Liverpool - 1-2

Can Thiago put Liverpool ahead? Yes, yes he can. Cool as you like, he sends Mendy the wrong way.

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Azpilicueta misses for Chelsea! 1-1

Azpilicueta takes Chelsea's second penalty - and misses! He sends his strike against the post, and Liverpool have the chance to get themselves ahead in this shootout.

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Milner scores for Liverpool - 1-1

James Milner will take Liverpool's first penalty - and he finds the net with a fine spot-kick! Mendy guessed right, but it was well struck and into the corner.

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Alonso scores for Chelsea - 1-0

Alonso scores! He sends Alisson the wrong way.

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Penalties at Chelsea end

There's a huge cheer from the Chelsea end - the Blues win the toss, and the shootout will be at their end.

Marcos Alonso will be the first to take...

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Third FA Cup final to be settled by penalties

This will be the third FA Cup final, and the first in 16 years, to be decided from the spot.

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FT

Craig Pawson brings extra time to an end, and penalties it is!

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120

One last chance for Liverpool. Alexander-Arnold stands over a free-kick in teh right-hand channel. He chips it into the box... and it's easily gathered by Mendy.

One minute is to be added on.

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119

Ross Barkley is on for Chelsea, presumably to take a penalty. Loftus-Cheek is taken off. Unsurprisingly, his face is thunder. He's only been on for 28 minutes.

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117

Tsimikas boots a left-wing free-kick high into the Chelsea box, but Firmino can't get his head on it and the chance is lost.

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113

Mount plays it to Loftus-Cheek, who has found himself a pocket of space to turn and charge towards the byline. He clips a ball across the face of Alisson's goal, but no-one in a yellow shirt can get on the end of it.

Alexander-Arnold gives the assistant referee a piece of his mind for not flagging Loftus-Cheek offside. It did look very close - but then that's what the assistant is supposed to do now in such situations. Let the play go on, and VAR will come into play if it's off.

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111

Liverpool replace Robertson with Kostas Tsimikas.

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109

Ziyech pulls a stepover and tries to burst past Matip and into the area, but fails to. Matip dispossesses him and brings it clear, to roars of approval from the Liverpool fans.

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108

James whips a cross into the Liverpool box, and Ziyech tumbles under Alexander-Arnold's challenge. Chelsea want a penalty, but they don't get one.

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107

It's all very second-half-of-extra-timey now. Scrappy as hell, in other words.

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Peeeep! Into the final quarter of an hour.

Chelsea have made two changes: Pulisic and Chalobah are off for César Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

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HT

Peeeep peeep peeep! Half time in extra time. 15 minutes separate us from the first FA Cup final penalty shootout since Liverpool themselves won the tournament in 2006.

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105

Liverpool finally enjoy a spell in possession inside the Chelsea half. Milner gets to the byline and tries to send in a cross, but Rüdiger deflects it behind for a corner. 

Alexander-Arnold whips in the corner, but Mendy punches clear.

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102

Ziyech curls a left-wing free-kick into the box, right down the corridor of uncertainty. Pulisic throws himself at it, but can't quite get his head to it properly. It's turned behind for a corner, which Silva nods over. Liverpool have barely crossed the halfway line in the first half of extra time.

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101

Back come Chelsea - and Pulisic is inches away from turning in a delicious, inswinging ball from the right. The ball is nicked off his toe, though.

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99

Chelsea are definitely enjoying the better of this first period of extra time. James clips the ball across the top of the box to Mount, who drops a shoulder and carves out a yard or two of space to shoot. He sends, a dipping, bending shot towards the top corner, but his aim is just a couple of yards off.

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98

Liverpool replace Díaz with Roberto Firmino. The Colombian comes off to a well-deserved ovation from the Reds, and an equally-merited hug from Klopp. He's terrific.

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96

There are appeals from Chelsea for a penalty when Konaté gets a fairly firm shoulder in on Ziyech as the pair chase a low Alonso ball into the box, but the officials aren't interested. Tuchel was absolutely screaming for a spot-kick from the sideline.

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94

Chelsea suddenly get Pulisic scampering forward down the right wing, and making a beeline for Alisson's box. Matip is quickly across to dispossess the American, however, and Liverpool bring it clear.

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Van Dijk - tired or injured?

Van Dijk's substitution is the first time this term that the Dutchman has been replaced during a Liverpool game. It's not clear whether it's just plain old tiredness, or something more worrying for the Reds.

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Peeep! We're back underway.

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First goalless final after 90 mins since 2007

This is the first FA Cup final in 15 years to be scoreless after 90 minutes. Still not sure how, though.

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A change for Liverpool ahead of half time: Joel Matip is going to come on for Van Dijk.

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FT

Peeep peeep peeep! Somehow, it's still goalless at Wembley. Into extra time we go.

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91

Three minutes of time added on.

Díaz is again involved, connecting with a deep cross from the right to the back post - but Mendy is quickly off his line to smother. It was the acutest of angles for Díaz.

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90

Díaz... just wide! It's magnificent play from the former Porto man. He chests down a high ball just inside the Chelsea half, and is promptly on his bike. Silva does everything he can to keep up with the Colombian, who cuts inside onto his right and bends an effort whose intended target is Mendy's far corner - but it's a yard off target!

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89

Robertson clips a left-wing cross into the six-yard box, but it's too close to Mendy, who grabs hold. Chelsea are slightly hanging on for extra time now.

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87

Liverpool have the clear forward momentum in these final stages. Alexander-Arnold drives forward on the right, before being bundled over by Mount. The Reds have another chance to swing a free-kick into the mixer.

Alexander-Arnold delivers this time, but Van Dijk can't quite get enough control on his header, and the ball loops behind for a goal kick.

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85

Another change for Chelsea, who replace Lukaku with Hakim Ziyech.

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84

Again Liverpool are denied by the post! Milner's cross from the right arrows straight onto the instep of Robertson at the back post, but he can't find the net from five yards out. The ball rebounds off the woodwork once more!

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83

Díaz hits the post! This ball just doesn't want to go in today. Mané drops deep and plays a one-two with Jota, then slips it right to Díaz, who has peeled away into space. The Colombian gets the ball out of his body with his first touch, and with his second pings in a shot that bounces wide off the upright!

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81

Thiago gives it away with a sloppy piece of control on the halfway line, and suddenly Chelsea are bursting forward towards Liverpool's box. Kanté feeds it left to Lukaku, but his low ball into the area is weakly hit, and Van Dijk clears.

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80

Robertson it is who crosses, but Chelsea get it clear.

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78

Reece James picks up the game's first yellow card after clearing out Thiago with a very, very late tackle. Liverpool have a free-kick some 40 yards or so out, in a position or either Robertson or Alexander-Arnold to clip into the box.

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76

That's a vital challenge by Alexander-Arnold. Pulisic carries the ball menacingly into the Liverpool box, but just as he's preparing to pull the trigger, Alexander-Arnold slides in to knock the ball away from the American. He took a chance; that could very easily have ended up in a penalty to Chelsea.

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Salah limps out of FA Cup final

Here's the full story from my colleague Andy Hall on that first-half groin injury suffered by Mohamed Salah.

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73

Milner is on for Liverpool, Naby Keïta making way.

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71

James Milner is preparing to come on for Liverpool.

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70

Having seen Pulisic go close at the other end, Díaz does likewise for Liverpool. Receiving the ball on the left-hand corner of the Chelsea box, he cuts inside and sends a dipping shot towards Mendy's far top corner - but it doesn't dip enough. Just over.

Seriously, how is this still 0-0?

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68

Alonso releases Mount into space to drive to the byline, before cutting it back into the danger area. His ball can't find Lukaku, but it runs through to James, who lays it off for Pulisic to shoot. Pulisic gets a good connection on his effort, but it flashes just past Alisson's near post.

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67

Chelsea make their first change: N'Golo Kanté is on for Kovacic.

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65

Liverpool are firmly on top now. Keïta feeds Alexander-Arnold, who tries to find Jota in the box with a low pass. There's a brief scramble for the ball, but the Portuguese ultimately can't bring it under his spell, and Chelsea clear.

The Reds come back at the Blues, playing it to Keïta in space to shoot from 25 yards out - but his effort is straight at Mendy.

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62

Now Liverpool pin Chelsea back. Alonso has to turn Robertson's cross behind for a corner, which becomes a second corner. Alexander-Arnold's delivery finds Henderson at the back of the box, but his looping header back into the danger area is too close to Mendy. Chelsea get it away.

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60

Jota shoots just wide! Keïta collects at the top of the Chelsea box, before spreading it right to Jota, who's peeled off into shooting space just inside the box. He gets plenty of welly behind his strike, but it flies just wide of the far upright. I'm starting to lose count of the times I've said that.

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58

Kinda hard to believe it's till 0-0, to be honest. It's been a really enjoyable game.

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55

Back come Chelsea, who work it right to James, in space to play it into the middle. His first-time ball looks to be flying right to Pulisic some six yards out, but Konaté is there in the nick of time to nip it off the American's toe.

James lifts the ball back into the box from the right, but this time Alonso can't connect. A really strong start to the second half from Chelsea.

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52

Now it's Liverpool's turn to create chances in quick succession. Díaz receives on the edge of the box, with his back to goal. He spins and shoots - but fires just, just wide!

It's been a frenetic start to the second half.

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51

Finally Liverpool get their foot on the ball and launch an attack of their own. Mané lays the ball back off to Alexander-Arnold on the right, before the right-back whips a cross over to the far post. His ball drops to Robertson in plenty of space to shoot, but he can't bring it under his control and the chance is lost. Looks like he wasn't expecting the ball to reach him.

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48

Blimey. Chelsea have come flying out of the traps. The Blues win a free-kick on the right wing, and when Alonso whips it into the Liverpool area, it flies over everybody and bounces back off the bar! Liverpool can't get out right now.

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47

Again Chelsea go close! Alonso and Pulisic are involved once more. The former plays it to Lukaku, who holds off his man before rolling it into Pulisic's run into the box. He has a clear sight of goal some 15 yards out, but Alisson beats out his shot!

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46

Right away Alonso has another chance to score for Chelsea! From the right wing, Pulisic swings over a cross that falls right to the Spaniard at the back post. He gets his control right this time, but his angled finish flashes just past Alisson's far post!

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Peeep! Back up and running at Wembley. No half-time substitutions for either team.

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Which clubs have won the most FA Cup titles?

Some more half-time reading for you: my colleague Kieran Quaile has taken a look at the most successful clubs in the history of the FA Cup.

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More on that '53 final...

Here's how the 'Matthews Final' went down, if you're interested...

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Silva second only to Matthews

Here's an interesting stat: 37-year-old Thiago Silva is the second-oldest non-goalkeeper to start the FA Cup final, behind only English footballing great Stanley Matthews, who was 38 in the 1953 FA Cup final.

Blackpool's 4-3 win over Bolton in '53 went down as the 'Matthews Final' - though one wonders what Stan Mortensen thought of that, given he scored a hat-trick for the Tangerines.

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Morientes: “I consider myself part of the Liverpool squad that won the Champions League”

Speaking of the Champions League final, here's some half-time reading for you. We sat down with former striker Fernando Morientes, who played for both Real Madrid and Liverpool.

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HT

Peeep peeep peeeep! Liverpool were well on top for the first 15, 20 minutes, but it's been much more even since then. Chances for both sides, but goalless it remains. The chief headline from that first half is the groin injury suffered by Salah, with two weeks to go until the Champions League final.

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47

Lukaku shoots over! Chelsea work it to the striker just inside the Liverpool box, and he lets it run across his body before striking first time. His effort is just too high.

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46

We're into four minutes of time added on, by the way.

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45

Jota volleys off target! For the first time in a little while, Liverpool find the space to launch a quick break, with Chelsea backpedalling. Mané takes a bit too long to decide what to do, however, and by the time he plays it right to Jota, the Blues have got themselves back in position.

Liverpool recycle it out to the left, though, and when Robertson delivers towards the near post, Jota is first to the ball - but can't direct his shot goalwards.

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42

Konaté tries his luck from about 40 yards out, and his luck is very much out. His shot flies high, high into the stands, to cries of derision from the Chelsea fans.

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40

Van Dijk plays a loose ball in an area where he really doesn't want to be playing a loose ball, and Mount nips in. He carries it forward towards the Liverpool box, before slipping it right to find Lukaku's run into the area. The Belgian dallies a little, though, and the Reds recover to win it back. A let-off or Van Dijk.

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38

Liverpool knock it from side to side in front of a packed Chelsea defence, but can't find a chink in the Blues' armour. Thomas Tuchel's men are looking much more comfortable now.

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34

Liverpool have had much more of the ball, but Chelsea are actually creating more chances, I'd say. Mount receives 30 yards or so out from goal, before feeding it left to Pulisic, who's arriving in a good position on the edge of the area. He carries it forward before shooting, but Konaté is well-placed to block.

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32

Jota is on for Salah.

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30

Oh, hello. Now Salah is down. He can clearly be seen pointing to his groin. It's not obvious to me right now when exactly he hurt himself. Diogo Jota is getting himself ready to come on. We'll have to see what the precise extent of Salah's problem is. There are 14 days to go until the Champions League final.

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27

Alisson has hurt himself in the process of dashing off his line to deny Alonso, by the way. Caoimhin Kelleher is seen warming up in the sidelines just in case, but it looks like the Brazilian will be absolutely fine.

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26

What a chance for Alonso! His first touch ruins it, though. Liverpool keep it for a good minute or so, before Chelsea win it back and launch a quick break led by Mount. He slips it to Pulisic, who in turn plays Alonso into the box. His control is scratchy, though, and by the time he gets his shot away, he has given Alisson too much time to come out and narrow the angle.

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23

Yep, Chelsea are starting to come into it now. Mount picks Robertson's pocket inside the Liverpool half, before exchanging passes with James. He then slips in a low ball towards the penalty spot, where Pulisic has peeled away from his marker. The American slightly scuffs his first-time shot, but for a moment it looks like it's going to trundle into Alisson's far corner. It drifts just wide, however.

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21

Andy Robertson drives forward down the left-hand channel, before having a dig from about 30 yards out. His shot flies well over, though.

More or less the halfway point of the first half at Wembley. Liverpool have had much the better of it thus far, but Chelsea appear to be waking up a little now.

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20

Mendy has to rush off his line to head clear when Henderson lifts a long ball over the top for Mané to chase. The goalkeeper appears to hurt his foot in the process of making the clearance, but play goes on. Looks like he'll be alright.

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18

Kovacic is upended by Thiago on the corner of the Liverpool box, and Chelsea have the chance to deliver a dead ball into the penalty area. Alonso stand over it... and plops it straight into Alisson's arms.

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16

Chelsea mount what is, essentially, their first attack. James curls in a cross towards Lukaku that the Belgian clearly handballs. The ball runs through to Pulisic, who shoots just wide, but it wouldn't have counted had it gone in, anyway.

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15

Once more Liverpool work it to Díaz out on the left, but - to Chalobah's immense relief, one imagines - the flag is up this time. Offside.

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12

All the attacking danger is coming from Liverpool, and it's all on Díaz's wing. Keïta finds the forward with a pass that yet again squares him up with Chalobah just inside the box. He can't quite carve out enough space to test Mendy, however, and Alexander-Arnold then fires off target.

Chalobah is in for a long afternoon, on this evidence.

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10

Chalobah seems to have hurt Silva as they ran into each other a moment ago, by the way. The Brazilian needs a dose of the magic sponge, but is up again and looks like he'll be OK.

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9

What a good chance for Liverpool! And what a fabulous pass by Alexander-Arnold! With the outside of his boot, he splits the Chelsea defence in two and gets Díaz in on Mendy, with Chalobah chasing back in vain. Díaz's shot squirms underneath Mendy, but the keeper gets enough on it to stop it from going over the line.

Chalobah and Silva then get in each other's way as they try to hack it clear, giving Keïta a chance to shoot on the follow-up - but his effort flies wide!

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8

Díaz is such a menace. Again Liverpool work it wide to the left to the Colombian, and again he shows Chalobah a clean pair of heels. He gets to the byline and cuts it back, with Keïta and Salah waiting... but can't find either of them!

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6

Salah boots a ball straight into Joringho's face, from a distance of about a yard. Understandably, the Italo-Brazilian needs a bit of attention, but he's soon back up on his feet.

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5

We've had some action now. Mané drops deep, swivels on the edge of the box and slips Díaz into space on the left-hand side of the box. He drops a shoulder and burns past Chalobah, before fizzing it across the face of goal. Thiago is arriving at pace at the far post, but Díaz's ball is just a yard or two ahead of the Spaniard.

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3

Plenty of noise, not too much in the way of action so far. Liverpool almost get Luis Díaz in behind Reece James with a hoof up the field, but James recovers quickly to dispossess the Colombian, and the chance is lost.

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Peeeeep! The FA Cup final is underway.

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Out come the teams!

The teams are out at Wembley, where we've had the traditional rendition of "Abide with Me". The players line-up for a handshake with Prince William, the president of the FA. Up next it's "God Save the Queen", sung by RAYE. It got quite a few boos - from the Liverpool end, one imagines. Mason Mount was really getting into it, on the other hand.

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Pawson

Pawson to take charge of final

Today's match referee is Craig Pawson, by the way. It's the first time the 43-year-old has taken charge of the FA Cup final. Here he is, sharing a pre-match chuckle with Jordan Henderson and Jürgen Klopp.

(Photo: Michael Regan - The FA/Getty Images)

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Chelsea out to avoid emulating Boro

Were Chelsea to lose today's FA Cup final, they'd not only become the first ever team to lose the fixture three years in a row, but would also be the first side since Middlesbrough, in 1996/97, to lost both of England's domestic cup finals in the same season. They can't go down like Boro did, at least.

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The greatest FA Cup final goal...? Houchen, obviously

My favourite goal in the 150 years of the FA Cup final so far, you ask? Come come, it’s not even close. (Admittedly, I’m a little bit hazy on at least the first 80 years or so.)

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Tuchel: "We will win in yellow today"

Here's what Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has had to say about the Blues' decision to play in yellow:

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Chelsea - Liverpool, 2022 FA Cup final: times, TV, how to watch online

If you'd like to know how you can watch the FA Cup final on TV or online, might I suggest you take yourself over to our guide on how and where to watch.

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Chelsea to play in yellow

Chelsea have decided to wear their yellow change kit - apparently for superstitious reasons. There's no colour clash between their traditional blue and Liverpool's red, clearly. Chelsea wore blue when they were beaten in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in February, and were also in their home kit for the 2020 and 2021 FA Cup finals, which they lost to Arsenal and Leicester City, respectively. On the other hand, it has been pointed out, they were in yellow for their FA Cup semi-final victory over Crystal Palace last month. OK then, whatevs. What a nonsense.

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First German manager to win FA Cup: Klopp or Tuchel?

Whichever of the two bosses comes out on top today, incidentally, history will be made. A German coach has never previously won the FA Cup.

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Klopp

What the coaches said: Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool

On Chelsea:

“Chelsea are a really well, well coached team, I have to say. They have an idea for all different areas of the game. Play a similar system to other teams but a different level. They are very organised defensively, they have, offensively, incredible talent.”

Chelsea and Liverpool's second cup final meeting this season:

“It will be 50-50 in the stadium blue and red, fantastic. We had only a few weeks ago another final which felt like a World Cup final, to be honest, how both teams played it, how both teams approached it. Now we are a few weeks later in the season and another massive one.”

(Photo: Eddie Keogh - The FA/Getty Images)

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Tuchel

What the coaches said: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea

One win out of four FA Cup finals in last five years - why?

“If I knew I would change it! I don’t know. I can only say that last year we were with me. Also in the final against Leicester. We will try it again. First of all it is a big achievement to be in these finals. There has to be unfortunately a loser. In these finals there is a special energy, a special atmosphere. There is a special momentum you have to catch and for sure you need a piece of luck to go away with a trophy. We are aware of that. We feel again well prepared. The atmosphere is right. The momentum is okay after the reaction in Leeds. Everybody knows what we are up to. We want to arrive to give Liverpool a hard fight. I don’t know if there is one reason it is like this. I would prefer to point out the positives. A fifth cup final in six years, it shows the competitive spirit we have.”

Do Chelsea need FA Cup win to make it a successful season?

“First of all, we have a chance to win something domestically. We have been to the Carabao Cup final. We have won European trophies and World Championship trophies. There are worse seasons out there. A lot of teams have had a worse season than our season. I wouldn’t get carried away and say we have to win it. We will try everything."

(Photo: Michael Regan - The FA/Getty Images)

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Thiago Silva in for Chelsea, five changes for Liverpool

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel makes just one change to the team that beat Leeds United 3-0 last time out, as Thiago Silva returns in central defence in place of Andreas Christensen. Mateo Kovacic was a fitness doubt but starts; N’Golo Kanté, who was also struggling with a knock, is finally on the bench.

As for Liverpool, Reds boss Jürgen Klopp makes no fewer than five changes to the side that beat Aston Villa. Ibrahima Konaté, Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcántara, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah all come into the team, while Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas, Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota and the injured Fabinho all make way.

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Chelsea team news

Starting line-up: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rüdiger, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Pulisic, Lukaku

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Liverpool team news

Starting line-up: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson, Thiago, Henderson, Keïta, Salah, Mané, Díaz

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A landmark FA Cup final

Today's showpiece will be the 150th anniversary FA Cup final, by the way. As part of the celebrations of this milestone, FA Cup legends will be honoured at Wembley, including Chelsea's two-time winner Gianfranco Zola, who scored in the 1997 final.

In the first ever FA Cup final, played in front of 2,000 people at Kennington Oval on 16 March 1872, Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0, Morton Betts scoring the winner in the 15th minute. Wanderers actually went on to win five of the first seven FA Cups, before dissolving in the 1880s.

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Following in Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday's footsteps

This is the first time in 29 years that the finals of both of England's major men's domestic cup competitions have been contested by the same two sides. In 1993, it was Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday who twice did battle at Wembley - and it was the Gunners who twice came out on top. Notoriously, of course, Arsenal captain Tony Adams not only lifted two cups, but dropped one Steve Morrow:

 

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Chelsea vs Liverpool: FA Cup final preamble

Hello! Welcome to our coverage of the 2022 FA Cup final, as Chelsea and Liverpool lock horns at Wembley. Kick-off is at 11:45am ET - about an hour away.

For Liverpool, who beat Chelsea in February’s Carabao Cup final, this is a chance to add the second of a potential four major trophies this season, with Jürgen Klopp’s men still also in the hunt to win the Premier League and the Champions League.

What’s more, it’s an opportunity for the seven-time FA Cup winners to end a 16-year wait to lift England's major men's domestic cup.

Since Liverpool last claimed the FA Cup in 2006, eight-time winners Chelsea have lifted it on five occasions - but the Blues have made a bit of a habit of losing the final in recent years, too.

The West Londoners have been in four of the last five FA Cup finals, but have only won one of them - in 2018 - and have been runners-up in each of the last two seasons. Were they to be beaten again, they’d be the first club to lose the showpiece game in three successive years.

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