Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea made their incredible return to form when they were crowned Champions League winners in Porto on Saturday. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in a pulsating final when Premier League winners Manchester City were denied their first ever European Cup win.
Chelsea’s record signing was their star on the big night when Havertz scored his first goal in the Champions League – a 42nd-minute winner after managing to reach the other end of a beautiful pass from Mason Mount, the England’s best playmakers will prove his skills as one of them.
It has been a seesaw for Thomas Tuchel in the past 12 months as he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain after losing last year’s final to Bayern Munich. He joined Chelsea in January and made a notable turnaround after Chelsea struggled under Frank Lampard.
Kai Havertz scored the winner for Chelsea (AP)
He could only have been the third manager to lose the UCL final in a row, but it wasn’t meant to be how the German had developed a tactical masterclass against him good friend Pep Guardiola.
Chelsea’s name stands up for the second time!#UCL #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/XhmTaTRfCc
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 29, 2021
N’Golo Kante’s class makes it for Chelsea
Watched from the grandstands in Porto by nearly 17,000 fans, Chelsea developed a masterclass that did not allow Manchester City to play their natural game. N’Golo Kante put on a show worthy of a Man of the Match performance as he led Chelsea midfield with the brilliance he expected. Edge added the Champions League title to its glowing trophy cabinet, which contains the World Cup medal, the Premier League medal and the Europa League medal.
3 – Thomas Tuchel is only the second manager to record three wins in a row in all competitions against Pep Guardiola (excluding Barcelona B) after his German compatriot Jürgen Klopp did so with Liverpool in 2018. Masterminds. #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/s8T4xVuGnv
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 29, 2021
It was Timo Werner’s show in the first half as well, when blistering runs down the left disrupted Manchester City’s defenses, which didn’t look as solid as they did in the Premier League. At the other end, Reece James made sure Raheem Sterling had no room as City looked toothless at the front without a proper striker.
Pep Guardiola’s decision not to keep midfielder Fernandinho has been questioned as the all-out attack did not work in their favor.
Kevin de Bruyne’s injury in the second half contributed to City’s suffering. The city captain went away with pain and tears on his face after being knocked by Rüdiger.
Kevin de Bruyne’s UCL final ended in a heartbreaking way (Reuters)
City worked looking for openings after the break and their cause was not helped when playmaker Kevin de Bruyne left the field injured after a head clash.
Chelsea survived seven minutes of stoppage time as Riyad Mahrez got painfully close for City before the celebrations for Chelsea’s traveling fans could begin.
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