Chelsea’s FA Cup history has been a roller coaster of success and disappointment. The club has won the trophy eight times, but has also lost in the final on five occasions. Chelsea’s first FA Cup triumph came in 1970, when they defeated Leeds United in a replay at Old Trafford. The Blues then had to wait until 1997 to lift the trophy again, when they beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in the final. Chelsea won the FA Cup three more times in the next four years, under the management of Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli, and Jose Mourinho. The club’s most recent FA Cup triumph came in 2018, when they defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the final.
Chelsea’s FA Cup record in the 21st century has been mixed. The club has reached the final five times since 2000, but has only won the trophy twice. Chelsea has also lost in the semi-finals three times in the last decade.
Despite their recent struggles, Chelsea remains one of the most successful clubs in FA Cup history. The club’s eight FA Cup titles are second only to Arsenal’s 14 and Manchester United’s 12. Chelsea will be hoping to add to their FA Cup tally in the years to come.