Thiago Silva admitted he felt like he always shouldered the blame for PSG’s Champions League failures as he aimed a dig at his old club after finally bagging his first European title.

Chelsea became two-time winners of club football’s greatest prize on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Manchester City, as the Blues outclassed Pep Guardiola’s men.

Silva limped-off after 39 minutes with a groin injury but that didn’t stop Chelsea fans in Porto and outside Stamford Bridge chanting his name long into the night.

The 36-year-old spent eight years in Paris and got closest to the big-eared cup last season, falling 1-0 to Bayern Munich. Before that, though, their European ambitions always ended in last-16 or quarter-final disaster.

“Every time Paris was eliminated, people tried to find a culprit and it was always me. It’s a shame, I really gave everything,” Silva told RMC Sport.

However, the centre-back wants to put that behind him, wishing the Parisians future success: “It’s the most important moment of my career, it’s unforgettable.

“But it’s also a moment to have recognition for everything Paris has done for me, but we failed to win it. with the PSG. We are very happy, and I hope that Paris will be able to arrive there.”

Silva arrived on a free transfer last summer under Frank Lampard, and was written-off as being too old to thrive in the Premier League.

The Brazilian has now proved the signing was a masterstroke. He’s had momentary slip-ups in his first campaign, but his experience, leadership and rock-solid defending have been crucial for the new champions of Europe.

The defender made sure not to forget about Lampard, who guided the Blues through the Champions League group stages this season before losing his job in January.

“It was special, it was my first year here,” Silva added.

“Tuchel changed everything, the team mentality. But it’s also important to talk about Lampard.

“Without him, it was difficult for me to win here, thanks to him for letting me sign here.”

Emerson Palmieri admits he ‘never thought’ he’d win the Champions League with Chelsea and acknowledges ‘without Italy and Italian football,’ he wouldn’t have reached this level.

The left-back and Jorginho picked up gold medals this evening, whereas the only Italian to have won the Champions League with a non-Italian side had been Christian Panucci for Real Madrid in 1998.

“It’s a wonderful sensation. You always dream of reaching this level one day. When I left Brazil, it was with the hope of winning this,” Emerson told Sky Sport Italia.

“A couple of years ago we won the Premier League, now we win the Champions League. I salute my friends and family in Italy and Brazil. It’s wonderful.

“When I lifted the trophy, I thought of everything I experienced and went through to get here. I never thought I’d reach this level. I thought of my family and friends who are watching.

“I had some difficulties at Palermo, then from Roma onwards, I really felt Italian. I learned to love Italy and I know full well that without Italy and Italian football, I would never have become the Emerson Palmieri I am today. Thank you to all of Italy!”

Watching N’Golo Kante celebrate Chelsea‘s Champions League win with his family underlined why he’s football’s most popular man.

Kante was immense as Chelsea secured a 1-0 win over pre-match favourites Manchester City in Porto on Saturday night.

And the France international eschewed the more flamboyant celebrations of his teammates to share a heartfelt moment with those closest to him.

His mum came on the pitch to embrace Kante in a warm hug in the aftermath of the game.

This was followed by the appreciation of futher family members as Kante soaked in what he had achieved.

Kai Havertz understandably struggled to contain his emotions after dropping the F-bomb twice on live TV.

The German superstar, the club’s record £71million signing, saved his crowning moment for the biggest stage of all after scoring the only goal in Chelsea’s famous 1-0 win over Manchester City.

Sparking wild celebrations at the full-time whistle, Havertz was quizzed by BT Sport who reminded him of the pressures of being Chelsea’s most expensive player ever.

But Havertz brilliantly responded: “To be honest, I couldn’t give a f* because we’ve just won the f**** Champions League.”

The playmaker and defender Cesar Azpilicueta then burst into laughter as their achievements finally started to sink in.

Photo Credit: kaihavertz29/Twitter

Thomas Tuchel met owner Roman Abramovich for the first time in Porto after winning the Champions League trophy for Chelsea.

Tuchel was appointed in January after the notoriously trigger-happy Russian billionaire axed club legend Frank Lampard.

At the time, the Blues appeared massive outsiders to even qualify for the Champions League, let alone win it.

Now, after watching Kai Havertz down Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in Saturday’s final, the German is now the toast of West London.

But Tuchel, 47, knows he may have a fight on his hands to keep it that way… even if a new contract may be in the offing.

The former PSG boss said: “I think I have a new contract already.

“My manager said something to me about it – but I don’t know for sure.

“It was a special moment to meet the owner for the first time on the pitch.

“It was the best time for that – or maybe the worst because it can only get worse after this.”

Photo Credit: Twitter

Naturally, there have been some incredible scenes inside the Chelsea dressing room after the Blues were crowned champions of Europe in Porto.

Thomas Tuchel led the celebrations as he released all of the pent up stress from watching the match.

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Pep Guardiola has explained his decision not to start with a holding midfielder as Manchester City lost the Champions League final to Chelsea.

And he said he did not know if he has any regrets about his selection and tactics.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel admitted he had been surprised that Fernandinho was not in the line-up, but said that he and his staff had predicted everything else City had planned.

City lost 1-0 after a disappointing performance in Porto, in which the Londoners’ defensive midfielder N’Golo Kante taking man of the match honours.

Guardiola decided to leave both holding players – Fernandinho and Rodri – on the subs bench until he brought on the Brazilian in the second half.

He has played one or the other in almost every other game this season, but changed it for the final – a tinker that he seemed to have ironed out of his make-up.

Chelsea took full advantage, exposing the lack of cover, while City’s much-vaunted defence had its poorest game for some time.

It was an attacking decision from Guardiola – it allowed him to squeeze Raheem Sterling into a strong front five, and he played Ilkay Gudogan as the holding man.

That has worked in the past, usually against teams that play deep, when the Germany international’s passing quality makes a difference.

Guardiola said: “I decided the decision, to have quality players. Gundogan played many years in this position.

“To have speed, to find the small players, the quality, the brilliant players, inside, in the middle and between the lines. This was the decision.”

Asked if he regretted anything about his selection and tactics, Guardiola chose to praise Chelsea, who were excellent on the night.

“I don’t know – the decisions I made, the players did everything to try to win the game.”

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was surprised that Fernandinho did not start, saying: “I expected Fernandinho in the line-up. He chose a very offensive, technical line-up, very hard to steal the ball and recover the ball. Everything else we pretty much expected.

“I think the game was exceptional, the first time we are here.”

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Blues captain Cesar Azpilicuta says Kai Havertz is going to be a superstar after scoring the goal to help Chelsea win the Champions League.

He delivered his verdict on the club’s record signing after the 1-0 win against Manchester City in the final on Saturday night.

Latching on to a defence-splitting pass from Mason Mount shortly before half-time, Havertz kept his cool to round Ederson and slot the ball into an empty net.

In truth, Chelsea could have extended their lead in the second half when Christian Pulisic was put clean through on goal, but he couldn’t hit the target.

As a result, it turned out that Havertz was the match winner.

And the Germany international was given a massive endorsement by Azpilicueta at the final whistle.

“He deserves that, his mentality is top, this guy. He’s going to be a superstar, he is already. Not only that, he ran like crazy, that’s the team work, that’s why he deserves this,” the defender told BT Sport.

“I came here in 2012 after the Champions League win, I wanted to repeat that.

“Tonight is amazing, my family are here, it’s a special, special day.”

Edouard Mendy

City threatened his goal but didn’t really test him too much, one good block on Sterling was the sum of his first half. Not much after the break either but he caught crosses when he needed to and kept things calm. 8

Reece James

Incredibly competent defending when faced by Raheem Sterling, who he can match for pace. So solid up against Sterling that Guardiola took him off with City still behind. He’s had a superb end to the season. 9

Cesar Azpilicueta

Ran himself into the ground, just like he said he would in his pre-match press conference. Tremendous clearance from under his own crossbar midway through the second half. Played through the pain for the last 20 minutes. A true captain’s performance. 9

Thiago Silva

Was his usual commanding self at the back and wasn’t being troubled at all before suffering a devastating injury blow with five minutes of the first half to go. Leapt high to beat Foden in the air and came down awkwardly, unable to recover. 7

Antonio Rudiger

One outstanding block on Sterling who was clean through saved a certain goal. Booked after the break for a body check on De Bruyne. Kept up to his task all game and barely put a foot wrong. 9

Ben Chilwell

Superb tackle after City broke following Werner’s miss and for the most part, did a fine job on the tricky Mahrez. all game. One of his best performances of the season and what a time to do it. 9

Jorginho

Had a quiet first half but he kept things ticking over very nicely as the link between defence and attack. Likewise the second really, but he did absolutely nothing wrong in the game. 8

N’Golo Kante

Bustled around and busy as per usual, even had a towering header at the back post drift wide. Superb challenge on De Bruyne early in the second half summed up his class. Interception after interception all night. Man of the match and he’s just incredible. 10

Mason Mount

Did some brilliant tracking back but produced a moment of world class play when he thread the needle for Havertz to score the opening goal. Got through so much work and despite looking jaded in recent games, was at his best again here. 8

Kai Havertz

City’s defence couldn’t pick him up at all in the first half as his movement seemed to outfox Dias and Stones, who didn’t have any protection in front of them. Superb composure to net the opener having rounded Ederson. Ran the channels all night, held the ball up superbly, immense. 9

Timo Werner

Remarkable miss inside ten minutes with a complete airkick when just six yards and then could only find Ederson from the same range moments later. His movement though for Havertz goal, pulling Dias away, was class. Struggled again with offsides though and was yanked midway through the second half by Tuchel. 7

Substitutes

Andreas Christensen (for Thiago Silva, 40’)

Monumental block in added time after Chilwell’s slip. Saved the game. 8

Christian Pulisic (for Werner, 65′)

Should have made it 2-0 with 15 minutes to go. Plenty of energy. 6

Mateo Kovacic (for Pulisic, 80′)

Finally made a Champions League final appearance at the fourth time of asking. Shored things up, kept the ball relatively well. 6

They have had the best opportunities and finally take the lead.

It’s worked well from Mendy to Chilwell who finds Mount.

Werner’s run is superb to take the defender away and Mount splits open the defence with a pass.

Zinchenko shows his weakness defensively as Havertz is clean through, rounds the onrushing Ederson to roll home into an empty net.

Zinchenko just stopped as Havertz picked it up!

What a time to take the lead.

Photo Credit: ChampionsLeague/Twitter