The FA Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in club football. The first in the world, it has been running for over 150 years. It is contested by hundreds of teams every year,it gives smaller clubs the chance to perform against the giants of the footballing world. With players from modest backgrounds sharing the pitch with some of the games biggest stars.
The competition has seen numerous memorable moments and even more memorable goals. So in the build-up to this weekend’s final, we thought we’d share some of our favourites with you.
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Ricky Villa
When Tottenham Hotspur played Manchester City in the 1981 cup final, the game stood at 2-2 with the game entering its final stages. Then, in the 76th minute, Tony Galvin passed the ball to Argentina’s Ricky Villa. 40 Yards from goal Villa carried the ball forward where he found five defenders between him and the goalkeeper. This didn’t put him off as he took the ball past one, then another, then another, before cutting back on to his right foot on the edge of the six-yard box and slotting past the onrushing goalkeeper. Leaving defenders on the floor in his wake as he put a classy end to the game.
Santi Cazorla
With Arsenal 2-0 down to a plucky Hull City side in the FA Cup final of 2014, Cazorla’s goal was not only spectacular, but crucial to their 11th FA Cup win. Arsenal got a free-kick, 30 yards out just to the left hand side of the pitch. Up stepped Santiago Cazorla, with a curling strike on the keeper’s side. The Spaniard puts the ball in the top corner leaving a flapping goalkeeper no chance at keeping out the stunning strike. An all time FA Cup great, final or no final.
Jesse Lingard
Another entry that’s quality is only matched by its importance is Manchester United and England’s Jesse Lingard, during their 2016 clash with Crystal Palace. After Jason Puncheon fired the Eagles ahead with an effort that was pretty special in itself. Man U had only 12 minutes to respond or risk losing out on the trophy. After Juan Mata equalised a few minutes later the tie was taken to extra time. The ball was driven into the Palace box in the 110th minute by Luis Antonio Valencia towards Anthony Martial. The ball was blocked and popped up to Lingard on the edge of the box who, without thinking, instantly volleyed the ball into the far corner. The instinctual finish sent the Wembley crowd into a frenzy as Manchester United secured their 12th FA Cup.
Alexis Sánchez
Only the year before in 2015, Arsenal faced Aston Villa in the final. The game was perhaps not a classic with Arsenal cruising to a 4-0 win over Aston Villa, however, there was one moment in the match that caught viewers attention. Chilean Alexis Sánchez collected the ball 30-yards out from goal and struck it fiercely towards Shay Givens’ goal. Given was scanning and set his feet, believing the ball to be heading straight for his hands, which it was before swerving wildly away from the Irishman who couldn’t recover in time to stop the strike crashing under the crossbar into the roof of the net.
Steven Gerrard
In 2006 Liverpool were on the verge of a serious upset at the hands of West Ham United. Luck seemed to be on the Hammers side with own goals, errors and a freak cross that nestled into the far corner of Pepe Reina’s net, giving West Ham a 3-2 lead. Then, in the 90th minute, an errant clearance bounced in front of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. The Englishman lashed a powerful volley into the bottom corner of Shaka Hislop’s goal from an outrageous distance. Giving us one of the great FA Cup goals and of the best goals you’ll ever see at any level.
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