Chelsea down Man City to win Champions League

PORTO: Kai Havertz's goal earned Chelsea a second Champions League crown nine years after their first with a deserved 1-0 final victory over domestic rivals Manchester City in Porto.

On Saturday, thousands of Chelsea fans were in the crowd of 14,110 to see their team lift the trophy in the Dragao Stadium as the final had been moved from Istanbul, with Portugal operating under less severe coronavirus restrictions.

Havertz sparked the celebrations with his 42nd minute goal, created by a super pass from Mason Mount, which split the defence and allowed the 21-year-old German to escape keeper Ederson and tap home, reports dpa news agency.

City won the domestic championship by a distance but lost to Chelsea both in the league and FA Cup as Blues manager Thomas Tuchel completed a whirlwind story of success since taking over from Frank Lampard in January.

Defeat in their first Champions League final means City remain without the biggest prize in European football despite billions of dollars being spent over the years by their Abu Dhabi owners.

Chelsea are kings again and Tuchel has glory at the second attempt, having lost in the final with Paris Saint-Germain last season. Like in 2012, the Stamford Bridge club won having changed managers mid-season.

"To share it with everybody is incredible," Tuchel told BT Sport. "I don't know what to feel. The (players) were determined to win this. We wanted to be a stone in their shoe. We encouraged everybody to step up and step out, to be more brave and create dangerous counter-attacks."

Pep Guardiola was coaching in the Champions League final for the first time since his second triumph with Barcelona in 2011 but paid the price for a City line-up which was incredibly attacking.

Midfield anchors Fernandinho and Rodri were dropped as Ilkay Guendogan took the deepest role in the centre of the pitch while Kevin De Bruyne and Bernando Silva supported Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.

"I did the best with my selection. I tried to pick the best selection to win the game," said Guardiola.

"We struggled to break the lines in the first half. The second half was much better. Against the defensive structure of Chelsea it wasn't easy. We struggled a little bit with the long balls and second balls. In that moment you need inspiration."

City were exposed when Mount's long pass through the centre found Havertz cutting in to collect and finish his maiden Champions League goal.

"I don't know what to say. I really don't know what to say," said an emotional Havertz. "I waited a long time. I've waited 15 years for this moment and now it's here."

His goal was the least Chelsea deserved after Havertz's compatriot Timo Werner spurned two previous great chances to open the scoring. IANS

Also Read: 4 Indian women in Asian boxing finals

Also watch: