With Arsenal and Hull City set to face off in the 133rdFA Cup Final at Wembley, heres a look at some of the most memorable FA Cup Finals ever played.
#1 Tottenham Hotspur vs Coventry City (1987)
Coventry City’s first ever appearance in a FA Cup Final and Tottenham’s 8th, Coventry went in as underdogs and came out with a dream accomplished.
It didn’t start well for Coventry as Clive Allen scored for Tottenham just two minutes in but they equalised a few minutes later through Dave Bennett, a former Manchester City player who ironically lost the FA Cup Final against Tottenham in 1981.
Tottenham regained their lead 5 minutes before half time through defender Gary Mabbutt but Coventry equalised again midway through the second half with a Keith Houchen diving header that is probably one of the most defining football images from the 1980’s.
The fateful goal that won Coventry City the title was ironically a Gary Mabbutt own goal in extra time. After City winger Lloyd McGrath centered the ball, it hit Mabbutt’s knee and went over goalkeeper Ray Clemence.
#2 Bury F.C vs Derby County (1903)
The biggest win in a FA Cup Final ever occurred in on April 18th 1903 when Bury FC defeated Derby County 6-0. Although Derby had a better side on paper, a brace from Joe Leeming and goals from Charlie Sagar, George Ross, William Wood and John Plant saw Bury thrash Derby.
The game was so one sided that Bury goalkeeper had almost nothing to do and defender George Ross was one of the goalscorers. Bury also equaled the record for not conceeding a goal in any stage of the competition.
#3 Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City (1981)
The 100th FA Cup Final to be played, this game could’ve gone either way. The first final took place at Wembley where the match ended 1-1 with Tommy Hutchinson scoring both goals; this was back in the day when if either team failed to win the final, there would be a replay to decide the winner.The replay took place at Wembley on 14 May 1981.
Tottenham went ahead through a Ricky Villa goal in the 8th minute before Steve Mackenzie equalised for City with a brilliant volley 3 minutes later. A penalty put City ahead early in the 2nd half but Garth Brooks equalised for Spurs in the 70th minute. Ricky Villa then produced a superb run after receiving the ball 30 yards from City’s goal and skipped past 4 defenders before slotting home.
The goal helped Tottenham win the FA Cup for the 6th time in 6 finals and was voted Wembley Goal of the Century in 2001.
#4 Blackpool vs Bolton Wanderers (1953)
It is known as the Matthews Final, after Blackpool’s 38 year old midfielder Stanley Matthews who finally won a FA Cup. He provided two crucial assists in a thrilling comeback.
Bolton led 3-1 after 55 minutes and Blackpool looked like they were out of it until Stan Mortensen, who had scored Blackpool’s first goal, scored from a Stanley Matthews cross to make it 3-2 and later completed his hat-trick by scoring from a free kick in the 89th minute.
In extra time, Matthews made an excellent run, dribbled past two defenders and crossed for Bill Perry to score and complete Blackpool’s miraculous comeback.
Matthews carried on playing for another 12 years! Stan Mortensen also holds the record for being the only player to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup Final.
#5 Liverpool vs West Ham (2006)
Probably the most memorable FA Cup final ever, a repeat of Liverpool’s Champions League final miracle that had occurred a year earlier and also because of the extraordinary goals from Gerrard and Konchesky.
It’s also memorable because it’s one of those finals where the underdogs took the game to a bigger club instaed of sitting back and hoping for the best. West Ham were leading 2-0 through goals from Dean Ashton and a Jamie Carragher own goal before two brilliant volleys from Djibril Cisse and Steven Gerrard leveled the score.
Paul Konchesky put the Hammers’ in front again and West Ham looked like they were going to win the Cup until Steven Gerrard blasted a 30 yard thunderous strike to level the scores in the last minute of extra time. West Ham missed a late chance that could’ve won it for them and Liverpool won the following penalty shootout to become Champions.
