Romelu Lukaku absence the key to Chelsea beating Manchester United to win the FA Cup

ROMELU LUKAKU’S absence was at the heart of Antonio Conte’s successful game plan that helped Chelsea lift the FA Cup.

The Blues boss probably had two plans — one if United had Lukaku in their team and one if they didn’t.

PA:Empics Sport

Romelu Lukaku was only fit enough to be a sub in the FA Cup final[/caption]

Starting the Belgian striker would have forced Chelsea to engage United further up the pitch.

You don’t want Lukaku to receive the ball in the box because of his strength.

And you don’t want United crossing to give him a chance to net with his head. Without Lukaku, United needed a magnificent delivery to score that way. He makes such a big difference.

Conte realised Chelsea could play deep, give United space in wide areas and nullify them through the middle.

EPA

Antonio Conte likely would have formed two game plans for the match – one with Lukaku playing and one without[/caption]

The Red Devils were going to have more possession but Chelsea were going to get chances on the counter.

United managed only 44 per cent possession in February’s 2-1 home league win over Chelsea — but at Wembley that soared to 66 per cent.

---

‘TOO FAR’ Chelsea star Willian slammed for aiming ‘classless’ dig at Antonio Conte after FA Cup final win

---

You can control the game without the ball by allowing certain players to come forward to create space.

United dominated in areas Chelsea wanted them to have possession — and that set the Blues up to counter attack.

REUTERS

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United had little threat against the Blues[/caption]

Just like the approach to the penalty from which Eden Hazard hit the winner.

Chelsea had a narrow back three with N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Cesc Fabregas in front. So at any time they had five narrow players.

If you’re a centre-back up against a front three of Alexis Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard, you will fancy your chances in the air.

That trio are fantastic but not renowned for scoring with their heads.

They prefer to come inside, so the only real width they had was coming from United’s full-backs.

Getty Images - Getty

Antonio Conte sprays Chelsea players and staff with champagne after the cup win[/caption]

Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young got in good positions to cross but there was no one to target. When they came inside they were swamped because that’s where all Chelsea’s players were.

That’s where United could have done with a playmaker like Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva, Philippe Coutinho, Cesc Fabregas or Mesut Ozil to unlock the Blues’ stubborn defence.

Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera are fantastic defensive midfielders and Paul Pogba wants to join the attacks.

But United didn’t have a player who could thread the ball through an eye of a needle. Sanchez can do it but he plays higher up the pitch.

So if Juan Mata is not playing then it’s difficult to penetrate a narrow defence.

Will Jose Mourinho now look for a player who can do that? There aren’t many around.