Chelsea De-Specials Mourinho's Club, Claims the FA Cup

So, did the turning point in the globe's oldest cup competition come even before the kickoff?

Quite a few interested parties think so, and word is that includes a number of Red Devils.

Whatever, Antonio Conte got the better of the self-proclaimed Special One -- and no, José Mourinho will never live that down -- by outmaneuvering his old rival and leading Chelsea to victory in the 137th FA Cup final.

That calmed things down at Stamford Bridge after a frustrating fifth-place in the Premier League.

 

The surprise in this one came when Mourinho left Ivory Coast international and stalwart central defender Eric Bailly on the bench yet again, just as he did in the semi-final.

Why the fact that he's doing so -- even though the FA Cup and World Cup selection have nothing in common -- is apparently something only a Special One can explain.

 

The Blues could've used Bailly.

As it was, world class Spanish international -- thankfully for Chelsea, Spain's going to Russia -- David Dde Gea routinely stopped Eden Hazard midway through the first half.

What Mourinho was not expecting was Phil Jones bringing the Belgian down inside of the box. 

The Man of the Match scored from the spot to make 1-0.

 

With an uninspired duo of Pogba and Sánchez doing little more than taking up space, Mourinho brought Lukaku onto the pitch for the last 20 minutes, but that amounted to nothing, too.

When the referee whistled for the last time, Conte looked relieved, although this could still be the Italian's swan song with the Blues.

 

Chelsea are now eight-time FA Cup champions, which saved the season from being a catastrophe.

The supporters also had a sweet taste of what could happen in the next season when the Blues will be plying their trade in the Europa League.

More importantly, they'll expect to make a better run at the Premiership title than they did this season.