There have been many classic FA Cup finals over the years. The magic of the cup has, despite globablisation's best efforts, stood the test of time. To win the FA Cup is to join a very exclusive list.
Here, we run down 10 classic finals ahead of Manchester United's Wembley date with Crystal Palace.
Tell us your favourite FA Cup final on Twitter @GulfNewsSport.
10. Arsenal 3 – 2 Manchester United, 1979
Arsenal were leading 2-0 with five minutes to go when, would you believe it, United equalised by scoring twice quick succession. With all but the final whistle gone, Arsenal’s Alan Sutherland produced an injury time volley to give north London the cup.
9. Totthenham Hotspur 3 – 2 Manchester City, 1981
Spurs developed something of a habit of winning the FA Cup whenever the year ended with “1” – this stopped when the year began with “2”, by the way. The ’81 clash with City was a replay after an initial 1-1 draw. City took the lead, but their joy was to be decimated by Spurs playmaker Ossie Ardiles.
8. Chelsea 2 – 1 Leeds United, 1970
Tthe 1970s was football's toughest era - literally. The brutality of the sport back then is incomprehensible to modern prima donnas. The Blues' David Webb nicked the winner in what was a exciting yet fiesty game. We’ve included this final mainly because we enjoyed seeing Billy Bremner, Norman Hunter, and Johnny Giles on the losing side (take cover).
7. Everton 3 – 2 Sheffield Wednesday, 1966
Wednesday were a Division 2 club at the time, and thus the Toffee Men were the odds-on favourites to walk to a cosy win. However, the Owls took the lead in the fourth minute, before doubling their advantage in the 57th. But the dream didn't last long. A magical 15-minute spell ensued when Everton put three past the Wednesday keeper to keep the bookies happy. It was close but no cigar for the steel workers.
6. Sunderland 1 – 0 Leeds United, 1973
Leeds United were one of the best teams in Europe during the early seventies, arguabley the best in England, and certainly the most unpopular. They expected to thrash the Black Cats from the north east, but it was not to be. Sunderland had the team in white pegged thanks to gritty marksmanship. A 31st minute goal from Ian Porterfield was enough to seal a famous win.
5. Liverpool 2 – 1 Arsenal, 2001
This was the first FA Cup final to be played away from Wembley while it was being rebuilt. Arsenal, who were chasing their first trophy since the double in 1998, went ahead after a Robert Pires through-ball allowed Freddie Ljungberg to slot home in the 72nd minute. However, the game was far from over. Michael Owen saved the day for Merseyside with two goals in the space of five minutes to give the Reds the cup.
4. Liverpool 3 – 2 Everton, 1989
This was an emotional cup final as it took place only a few weeks after the infamous Hillsborough disaster which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters. An all-Merseyside final would have usually created an electric – read: hostile – atmosphere, but in this instance it was far more subdued. John Aldridge gave Liverpool the lead in the fourth minute, but it would take until the 89th minute for Everton to equalise courtesy of Stuart McCall. Ian Rush put the Reds ahead again in extra time, yet once more McCall equalized. A John Barnes cross, met with the head of Rush, was to be the winner with just two minutes to spare.
3. Liverpool 0 – 1 Wimbledon, 1988
Just nine years before Wimbledon walked out of the Wembley tunnel, they were playing non-league football in the Southern League in front of just 3,000 hardy fans. Wimbledon’s direct style of play and unrivalled team spirit had got them to the final. The Dons played a far more calculated game than many thought they would, and they got their reward when Lawie Sanchez headed home a Dennis Wise free-kick in the 36th minute. Dave Beasant became the first goalkeeper in history to save a penalty in an FA Cup final, denying John Aldridge an equaliser. The scenes in south-west London were chaotic: the Crazy Gang had beaten the Culture Club…
2. Coventry City 3 – 2 Tottenham Hotspur, 1987
Much like the Wimbledon team that followed them, Coventry City was formed of nearly-men and rejects who had all found themselves together in the same place at the same time. Spurs, on the other hand, had finished third in Division 1 and were firm favourites. Indeed they went ahead after two minutes, but the Sky Blues equalised seven minutes later, with Spurs retaking the lead just before half time. Although it was an unfortunate Gary Mabbut deflection that put Coventry ahead, the Midlanders still controlled the game and were deserved winners.
1. Liverpool 3 – 3 West Ham United, 2006 (Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties)
West Ham were the obvious underdogs to a side who the year before had lifted the Champion’s League trophy. In true FA Cup style, the Hammers took the game to Liverpool, and Reds defender Jamie Carragher scored an own goal to put the east Londoners ahead. West Ham were looking sharp and were within spitting distance of victory, leading 3-2 with two minutes of time remaining. A magnificent Steven Gerrard 30 yard strike saved the day for the red half of Merseyside. Through extra time and to penalties, then… Liverpool came off better.
