N’Golo Kante produced one of the great Champions League final performances as he dominated the midfield in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester City.
At full-time, following his herculean effort, unused substitute Kurt Zouma picked Kante up and carried him across the pitch like a giant baby. Appropriate after the French star had carried the Blues to victory.
He was later carried aloft by his teammates. Clearly after Kante covered every blade of grass during 90 minutes (plus injury time) his colleagues felt he deserved a rest.
N’Golo Kante.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest midfielders of all time. pic.twitter.com/z9mwYZuYfV
— Will (@willreyner) May 29, 2021
Has Kante touched the ground since the final whistle? 💙😂 #UCLFinal #CFC pic.twitter.com/JM0rFgQiD8
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) May 29, 2021
Nice to see Ngolo Kante being carried for a change after constantly carrying Chelsea’s midfield 😅 #UCLFinal pic.twitter.com/um2zhqqGf3 pic.twitter.com/OZssLssISp
— Kwadwo Amfo (@kwadwo_amfo) May 29, 2021
In a game where Pep Guardiola did not pick a defensive midfielder, Kante gave a masterclass in the arts of a box-to-box man as he closed down, won possession and was always available when the Blues had the ball.
Has Kante touched the ground since the final whistle? 💙😂 #UCLFinal #CFC pic.twitter.com/JM0rFgQiD8
— Chelsea FC News (@Chelsea_FL) May 29, 2021
Kante was tireless. His highlight moment of many was an incredible, perfectly clean tackle from behind on Kevin De Bruyne as the City player headed towards goal just after half-time.
How did Kante make that tackle?
Ngolo pic.twitter.com/9cEznBkJRD
— Ors💉 UCL WINNER 🏆 (@deoors) May 29, 2021
Kai Havertz scored the goal that gave Chelsea victory, latching on to Mason Mount’s through ball and taking advantage of City’s lax defending to round Ederson and calmly finish.
However it was Kante who was the man of the match as the humble midfielder was all over the park, while Chelsea defenders Antonio Rudiger and Reece James also had games to remember
Semi-final first leg: 🥇
Semi-final second leg: 🥇
Final: 🥇N’Golo Kante 🤝 Player of the Match awards pic.twitter.com/7fH3vMqzJ5
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 29, 2021
N’Golo Kanté vs Man City:
🔘 53 touches
🔘 11 duels won
🔘 3 tackles
🔘 2/2 take-ons
🔘 2 interceptions
🔘 2 clearances
🔘 1 chance created
🔘 0x dribbled pastEverywhere!
| #CFC | #Chelsea | #UCLFinal | pic.twitter.com/S4lupGwbHb
— EPL Statman (@EPLStatman) May 29, 2021
👥 Most aerial duels won for Chelsea in the #UCL final – N’Golo Kante (4)
😁 Is there anything he can’t do? pic.twitter.com/xyWPq3ClNL
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 29, 2021
N’Golo Kante, take a bow (presumably when Zouma and has finally put you down).