The world’s oldest national football tournament’s first match was played over 150 years ago and has since grown to the spectacle we all know and love today. Hundreds of clubs compete, millions of fans watch. The FA Cup is a massive part of English football culture, the magic of the FA Cup gives us joy, drama and everything in between. And this is why it means so much to the football community.
This weekend, the two teams trying to get their hands on the FA Cup trophy are cross-city enemies, Manchester City and Manchester United. Cup finals don’t get much bigger than this. While you’re waiting for the spectacle this weekend, here’s what you’ve got to look forward to with some of the great finals of the FA Cup.
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The 5 Minute final
Arsenal 3-2 Manchester United (1979)
In 1979 the FA Cup was contested between two of the biggest and most successful teams in English football, Arsenal and Manchester United. With both teams packed with the superstars of their day, everyone was expecting a thrilling final with the entire crowd on the edge of their seats for the full 90 minutes. This, however, was not what they got.
The tie for the most part was a pretty boring affair with Arsenal scoring twice through Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton. It looked to be a comfortable day at the office for Arsenal and a good, but a little disappointing trip to the capital for Manchester United fans. As the Clock struck the 85th minute, the game was all but over when Gordon McQueen got what was thought to be a consolation goal for United. But not two minutes later, Sammy McIlroy put the ball in the Arsenal net again.The crowd went wild as Manchester United recovered what seemed to be a lost final, but this was not the last twist in the tale. The Red Devils had barely finished celebrating when an Alan Sunderland strike reclaimed the lead for the Gunners.
A rollercoaster of emotions for all ended in Arsenal lifting the trophy for the 5th time, in what has become an infamous FA Cup final.
David and Goliath
Manchester City 0-1 Wigan Athletic (2013)
The FA Cup holds such a special place in the hearts of football fans because it puts every club that competes on the same level and gives smaller clubs with less financial backing to play and even beat some of the world’s top sides. Blue collar workers, businessmen and everything in between, can share the pitch with the games biggest stars. So when people refer to ‘The Magic of the Cup’ they’re probably talking about games like this one.
Billionaire’s and Premier League runners up Manchester City faced a Wigan Athletic side who were spirited in the cup but had been relegated following a disappointing season. Many considered this a non-event with the Cityzens sure to come out on top.
After a resolute Wigan managed to hold them off for the majority of the game, doubts visibly started creeping into the game of the City stars. As they shrank, Wigan’s confidence grew. Culminating in a late corner for the Latics, swung in by Shaun Maloney and met powerfully by defender Ben Watson who headed the ball over City keeper Joe Hart. Winning the FA Cup for Wigan Athletic in a moment that will be remembered by football fans for a very long time.
Stevie Genius
Liverpool 3-3 West Ham (2006)
The odds seemed to be stacked against West Ham United when they faced off against the previous years Champions League winners Liverpool. Fans were hopeful but not expectant of an FA Cup upset hoping the magic would strike again and allow them to lift the trophy. And it seemed as if fate was smiling on them, as uncharacteristic errors from Jamie Carragher and goalkeeper Pepe Reina, gifted West Ham a 2-0 lead in the first half. The fans couldn’t believe their luck as they placed one hand firmly on the FA Cup.
But Liverpool would not go down without a fight and tried to channel the same spirit that pushed them to complete their miraculous comeback in Istanbul. And it began to pay off with Djibril Cissé getting on the end of a delicious ball from Gerrard, and smartly volleying home.
The Hammers thought they had clutched victory from the jaws of defeat ten minutes after the half as Gerrard rifled home a volley from the centre of the box, giving keeper, Shaka Hislop no chance. But ten minutes later a looping Paul Konchesky cross somehow found the far corner, restoring West Ham’s lead.
Luck seemed to be on their side as the clock struck the 90th minute and full time was imminent. But Gerrard had other plans, getting on the end of a bouncing clearance and firing an outrageous volley into the bottom corner from 30 yards out. Taking the final to extra time.
The Hammers were demoralised but held tight in extra time to take the game to penalties. But their luck had run out and a hat-trick of saves from Pepe Reina gave Liverpool the victory in what will be remembered as one of the greatest FA Cup finals ever.
Spursy
Coventry 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur (1987)
If you’ve ever heard the word ‘Spursy’, it may have originated from the 1987 FA Cup final. One of the great English sides, defined by their shortcomings rather than their successes. In this case at the hands of huge underdogs, Coventry.
The final seemed to be going as planned when Clive Allen put Spurs 1-0 up after only two minutes. But Coventry replied instantly through Dave Bennett. Tottenham once again took the lead with Gary Mabbutt getting on the scoresheet. Taking them into the break with a lead they assumed would take them all the way to the trophy.
But Coventry refused to play to the script, getting back on level terms just after the hour when Keith Houchen scored his now famous diving header. Neither team were able to break the deadlock, and with tensions at an all time high, the tie was taken into extra time.
This was Coventry’s first domestic cup final and their desire was matched by their spirited performance. Netting the winner through a Mabbutt own goal early in extra time, to win the cup, a feat they haven’t repeated since that incredible day.
Gunners Reload
Arsenal 3-2 Hull City (2014)
As one of the leading winners of the FA Cup, Arsenal were particularly frustrated coming into the 2014 final, having not won the trophy in nine years. They faced a Hull side who were not expected to be able to withstand the pressure and who many thought would be blown away on final day.
However, it may have been nine years for Arsenal. But it only took James Chester and Curtis Davies eight minutes to give Hull a 2-0 lead against the North London Giants. But a stunning 30-yard free-kick from Santi Cazorla restarted the Gunners focus as they began applying pressure for an equaliser.
Hull coped with Arsenal for a long time, shredding fans’ nerves on both sides as the game entered its final stages. And in the 71st minute Laurent Koscielny poked home in the box to equalise. Hull’s day had taken an emotional turn but they were determined not to give in as extra time began.
But the brave defence had left the Hull side dead on their feet and praying for a chance at penalties, leaving them open for Olivier Giroud to strike the winner in the 109th minute. Winning Arsenal their 11th FA Cup, breaking Hull City hearts and cementing this game’s place in football fans memories as a modern classic.
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