Leicester City's FA Cup hero Youri Tielemans saluted the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for coming to his side's aid in the dying minutes of their 1-0 final victory over Chelsea.
Tielemans had opened the scoring in the second half with a brilliant long-range goal, bringing the game to life after a staid opening 45 minutes.
Just before the end Chelsea believed they had clawed one back through Wes Morgan's own goal, only for the technology to rule a marginal offside on former Fox Ben Chilwell.
'Thank you VAR!'
Interviewed after the final whistle by BT Sport, the Belgian did not forget to acknowledge his side's fortune in seeing that late goal chalked off.
"Thank you VAR! Really, what an amazing thing that is!" Tielemans laughed when asked about the decision.
"It's a tough decision but when you have to make it, you have to make it. Maybe it was tight but it was offside, and you have to give that call."
A first for the Foxes
Saturday's triumph marked the first time in Leicester's history that they have won the world's oldest football competition, having previously finished runners-up on four occasions.
“It feels really good! It’s amazing! I am really glad to score the goal that helped the team to win the game," Tielemans added to the BBC.
"It was a really tight game. To score in the final ... what a goal that was! I am really happy for the team and the fans! The goal was really good!
"It is really special to have the fans in today. I hope everyone was safe. And the fans watching it from home, I hope they are proud of us. I am sure they are.
"It is emotional for Top (the nickname of owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha) and his family because they built this club towards glory. We will give everything for the men who built this club and its legacy.
"Something special started when they won the league, and we have just built it up and hopefully we can continue. We have a very important game on Tuesday. We will enjoy and celebrate and think about Tuesday later on!”
Further reading
- Why Rodgers' bottler reputation is rubbish
-
Chelsea suddenly sitting on a fine line between success and failure
- Matchday LIVE: Leicester win FA Cup
