The 25 Best FA Cup Finals of All Time

Miracle saves, five-minute finishes, and Crazy Gang upsets — the FA Cup final has a long tradition of producing unforgettable drama. Which match goes down as the greatest of all time?

1. 1
   Liverpool vs West Ham 2006

   Steven Gerrard's thunderous 35-yard strike in the 91st minute forced extra time; Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties in a 3-3 classic.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Blackpool vs Bolton 1953

   The legendary 'Matthews Final' in which 38-year-old Stanley Matthews inspired Blackpool's stunning 4-3 comeback from 3-1 down.
   960pts
3. 3
   Chelsea vs Leeds 1970

   After a 2-2 Wembley draw, Chelsea won a brutal Old Trafford replay 2-1 after extra time through Peter Osgood's diving header and David Webb's winner.
   832pts
4. 4
   Liverpool vs Everton 1989

   The emotionally charged Merseyside Derby final played just weeks after the Hillsborough disaster, won 3-2 by Liverpool in extra time.
   806pts
5. 5
   Man City vs Man United 2023

   İlkay Gündoğan scored after 13 seconds, the fastest goal in FA Cup final history, and added another as City won 2-1 on the way to the treble.
   806pts
6. 6
   Arsenal vs Liverpool 1971

   Charlie George's extra-time thunderbolt won it 2-1 for Arsenal, completing the club's first league and cup double, celebrated with his famous lie-down.
   779pts
7. 7
   Arsenal vs Hull City 2014

   Arsenal trailed 2-0 after eight minutes yet came back to win 3-2 in extra time, ending the Gunners' nine-year trophy drought.
   652pts
8. 8
   Wigan vs Man City 2013

   Ben Watson's stoppage-time header gave Wigan a shock 1-0 win over Manchester City and their first major trophy, days before relegation.
   652pts
9. 9
   Crystal Palace vs Man City 2025

   Eberechi Eze's goal and Dean Henderson's penalty save beat Manchester City 1-0, giving Crystal Palace the first major trophy in their history.
   652pts
10. 10
    Man City vs Birmingham 1956

    Goalkeeper Bert Trautmann played the closing minutes with a broken neck as Manchester City beat Birmingham City 3-1 at Wembley.
    652pts
11. 11
    Cardiff vs Arsenal 1927

    Hughie Ferguson's shot slipped through Dan Lewis's grasp as Cardiff won 1-0, taking the FA Cup out of England for the only time in its history.
    576pts
12. 12
    Wimbledon vs Liverpool 1988

    The ultimate giant-killing: the 'Crazy Gang' from Wimbledon stunned the champions Liverpool 1-0 with Lawrie Sanchez's header and Dave Beasant's penalty save.
    576pts
13. 13
    Everton vs Sheffield Wednesday 1966

    Everton recovered from 2-0 down to win 3-2, with Cornish striker Mike Trebilcock scoring twice and Derek Temple grabbing the winner.
    487pts
14. 14
    Liverpool vs Arsenal 2001

    Arsenal dominated in Cardiff, but Michael Owen scored twice in the last seven minutes to snatch a 2-1 win and the cup for Liverpool.
    487pts
15. 15
    Man United vs Everton 1985

    Kevin Moran became the first player sent off in an FA Cup final, but ten-man United beat treble-chasing Everton through Norman Whiteside's extra-time curler.
    487pts
16. 16
    Chelsea vs Manchester City 2026

    Antoine Semenyo's back-heeled flick from Erling Haaland's cross beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley, completing Manchester City's domestic cup double.
    384pts
17. 17
    Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest 1991

    Paul Gascoigne's reckless tackle wrecked his knee early on, yet Tottenham came from behind to win 2-1 after extra time through Des Walker's own goal.
    384pts
18. 18
    Tottenham vs Man City 1981

    Ricky Villa's weaving solo run and finish in the replay, later voted Wembley goal of the century, won a 3-2 thriller for Tottenham.
    384pts
19. 19
    Coventry vs Tottenham 1987

    Coventry won their only major trophy 3-2 after extra time, with Keith Houchen's diving header and Gary Mabbutt's own goal sinking Tottenham.
    384pts
20. 20
    Man United vs Brighton 1983

    Relegated Brighton came within inches of glory when Gordon Smith's late extra-time chance was saved in a 2-2 draw, before United won the replay 4-0.
    384pts
21. 21
    Arsenal vs Man United 1979

    The 'Five Minute Final': Arsenal led 2-0, United equalised to 2-2, then Alan Sunderland's last-gasp goal won it 3-2 for the Gunners.
    262pts
22. 22
    Southampton vs Man United 1976

    Second Division Southampton beat favourites Manchester United 1-0 with Bobby Stokes's late goal, winning the club's only FA Cup.
    262pts
23. 23
    Sunderland vs Leeds 1973

    Second Division Sunderland stunned holders Leeds 1-0 through Ian Porterfield's goal and Jim Montgomery's astonishing double save, sparking Bob Stokoe's famous run onto the pitch.
    262pts
24. 24
    Man Utd vs Crystal Palace 1990

    United and Palace drew a classic 3-3 at Wembley, then United won the replay — the dramatic first of Ferguson's trophy-laden era.
    0pts
25. 25
    Bolton vs West Ham 1923

    The first Wembley final, the 'White Horse Final', in which police horse Billie helped clear a vast overflow crowd from the pitch before Bolton won 2-0.
    0pts

Comments