1923
Bolton 2 – 0 West Ham
Known as the ‘White Horse’ final, incredible crowd scenes greeted the first final played at Wembley in April 1923. Prior to the match, 100,000 spectators locked outside the stadium burst through the closed gates and onto the pitch. The game would probably have been cancelled were it not for the presence of King George V and the logistics of removing a crowd that now totalled 200,000. Order was restored by mounted police on horseback led by constable G. A. Story and his white horse ‘Billie’, who moved to the centre of the field and slowly forced the crowd to the touchlines. The match began 45 minutes late and conditions for play bordered on the farcical, with police having to force spectators back to allow corner kicks to be taken. However the game was completed with Bolton winning 2-0 thanks to goals from David Jack and JR Smith.
1927
Cardiff 1 – 0 Arsenal
Arsenal, under the magic touch of Herbert Chapman, were captained by the famous Charles Buchan and had other star players in Joe Hulme, Tom Parker and Bob John. Cardiff City, with practically the same defence as that of the 1925 Final but now with a new forward line, were at the peak of their powers. For Arsenal, however, only Buchan lived up to his reputation, setting up at least three clear chances for his colleagues. The Welsh supporters massed on the Wembley banks had little to sing about, with both defences well in command and play for the most part incoherent. Then, out of the blue, the decisive goal came in the 73rd minute. Following a Cardiff throw-in, Hughie Ferguson tried a hurried shot at goal before he could be tackled. His drive was a hard one, low and diagonal, but Dan Lewis, Arsenal's Welsh international goalkeeper, appeared to have it covered. However, with Len Davies and Sam Irving challenging, the ball somehow twisted on Lewis' chest and trickled slowly over the line. It was a classic example of the kind of luck that can win or lose a Final. Cardiff captain Fred Keenor and his men went on to take the Cup – the first time the trophy had been out of England.
1953
Blackpool 4 – 3 Bolton Wanderers
This dramatic final is dubbed ‘The Matthews Final’ in reference to Stanley Matthews - one of England’s finest ever players and Blackpool’s right-winger - who was trying to win a cup winners medal at the third attempt. The seven goals in the game make it the highest scoring final in FA Cup history. In a remarkable game, Bolton led 3-1 with just over twenty minute remaining when Matthews instigated a famous comeback. He crossed from the right to see Stan Mortensen score after the Bolton keeper fumbled. The score remained at 3-2 until the 87th minute when Mortensen thundered home a free kick from the edge of the area. As the game entered the final minute, the almost hysterical crowd witnessed Matthews again beat his full back and lay the ball into Bill Perry’s path, who thrashed it home at the near post. It was a fitting end to a truly memorable match.
1973
Sunderland 1-0 Leeds
On a grey afternoon in May 1973, all conquering Leeds United turned up for the formality of winning the FA Cup. Sunderland however were a second division team who were going to put up a fierce fight. Leeds made all the early play, but did not seriously trouble the Sunderland goal. Sunderland’s first real attack came after 30 minutes when Kerr’s shot was tipped over the bar by David Harvey. Vic Halom, at the near post, flicked on the resulting corner. The ball reached the unmarked Ian Porterfield, who rammed the ball home to give Sunderland the lead. Jim Montgomery’s performance in the Sunderland goal may have been unusual, but it was effective. Leeds continued to press forward and attack. Trevor Cherry had an effort disallowed, and Billy Bremner was denied a penalty decision. Then in the 65th minute, Monty pulled off a double save that became part of FA Cup history, arguably the greatest save in the FA Cup of all time.
1987
Coventry 3-2 Tottenham (after extra-time)
The match started off at a frantic pace and after just two minutes, Chris Waddle picked up a clearance on the right and crossed to the near post where Clive Allen firmly headed the ball past Steve Ogrizovic to put Spurs 1-0 in front. Minutes later, Dave Bennet went round Ray Clemence and tucked the ball into an empty net to level proceedings. With only a few minutes of the first half remaining, Glenn Hoddle took a free kick finding Richard Gough who flicked the ball into the danger zone. Both Gary Mabbutt and Brian Kilcline went for the ball and it went into a gaping net. Twenty minutes into the second half, Keith Houchen’s diving header provided Coventry with an equaliser. With the scores now level, Coventry started to pile on the pressure and Ray Clemence had to make a string of fine saves to ensure the game went into extra time. Seven minutes into added time, Lloyd McGrath crossed the ball towards the Spurs goal from outside the area. Mabbutt tried to intercept, however the ball hit his left knee and flew over Ray Clemence head to make it 3-2.
1990
Manchester United 3-3 Crystal Palace (Man Utd won the replay 1-0)
United eventually won the 1990 FA Cup final after a replay. In the first and more dramatic meeting, Gary O’Reilly scored the opening vital goal for Palace after 20 minutes by beating United goalkeeper Jim Leighton to make it 1-0 to Palace. With only 10 minutes of the half remaining, Danny Wallace played the ball out to Brian McClair on the right; his first time centre to the far post was headed in to make it 1-1. After 62 minutes Neil Webb slid a fine pass to Mark Hughes who scored and gave United a 2-1 lead. With only 17 minutes remaining, Ian Wright scored one of the greatest FA Cup goals of all time to pull Palace back on level terms. Then, in extra time, John Solako crossed a fine ball to Ian Wright who volleyed Crystal Palace back into the lead. United came back however, and with seven minutes remaining, Danny Wallace slipped a neat ball through to Hughes into the penalty area and smashed the ball into the back of the net, to force the final to a replay, which United won 1-0.
2006
Liverpool 3-3 West Ham (Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties)
This proved to be one of the greatest FA Cup final matches of all time. The match began at a fast pace and midway through the first half Jamie Carragher scored an own goal to give the Hammers a 1-0 lead. Moments later, West Ham’s England striker, Dean Ashton fired West Ham into a 2-0 lead. Peter Crouch then headed home, however the goal was disallowed for offside. Not long after, a great free-kick from Gerrard was met by John Arne Riise and he volleyed the ball home to reduce the arrears. Ten minutes into the second half, Liverpool drew level when Crouch knocked the ball down for Steven Gerrard to volley past Shaka Hislop. Midway through the second period, a glorious 30-yard strike by Paul Konchesky fired West Ham back in front. However in injury time, Gerrard smashed the ball home from 35 yards out to level the score and take the match into extra time. The game finished 3-3 and was decided on penalties. Reina proved to be the hero as he saved three of West Ham’s penalties to make Liverpool winners of the 2006 FA Cup final.
Bolton 2 – 0 West Ham
Known as the ‘White Horse’ final, incredible crowd scenes greeted the first final played at Wembley in April 1923. Prior to the match, 100,000 spectators locked outside the stadium burst through the closed gates and onto the pitch. The game would probably have been cancelled were it not for the presence of King George V and the logistics of removing a crowd that now totalled 200,000. Order was restored by mounted police on horseback led by constable G. A. Story and his white horse ‘Billie’, who moved to the centre of the field and slowly forced the crowd to the touchlines. The match began 45 minutes late and conditions for play bordered on the farcical, with police having to force spectators back to allow corner kicks to be taken. However the game was completed with Bolton winning 2-0 thanks to goals from David Jack and JR Smith.
1927
Cardiff 1 – 0 Arsenal
Arsenal, under the magic touch of Herbert Chapman, were captained by the famous Charles Buchan and had other star players in Joe Hulme, Tom Parker and Bob John. Cardiff City, with practically the same defence as that of the 1925 Final but now with a new forward line, were at the peak of their powers. For Arsenal, however, only Buchan lived up to his reputation, setting up at least three clear chances for his colleagues. The Welsh supporters massed on the Wembley banks had little to sing about, with both defences well in command and play for the most part incoherent. Then, out of the blue, the decisive goal came in the 73rd minute. Following a Cardiff throw-in, Hughie Ferguson tried a hurried shot at goal before he could be tackled. His drive was a hard one, low and diagonal, but Dan Lewis, Arsenal's Welsh international goalkeeper, appeared to have it covered. However, with Len Davies and Sam Irving challenging, the ball somehow twisted on Lewis' chest and trickled slowly over the line. It was a classic example of the kind of luck that can win or lose a Final. Cardiff captain Fred Keenor and his men went on to take the Cup – the first time the trophy had been out of England.
1953
Blackpool 4 – 3 Bolton Wanderers
This dramatic final is dubbed ‘The Matthews Final’ in reference to Stanley Matthews - one of England’s finest ever players and Blackpool’s right-winger - who was trying to win a cup winners medal at the third attempt. The seven goals in the game make it the highest scoring final in FA Cup history. In a remarkable game, Bolton led 3-1 with just over twenty minute remaining when Matthews instigated a famous comeback. He crossed from the right to see Stan Mortensen score after the Bolton keeper fumbled. The score remained at 3-2 until the 87th minute when Mortensen thundered home a free kick from the edge of the area. As the game entered the final minute, the almost hysterical crowd witnessed Matthews again beat his full back and lay the ball into Bill Perry’s path, who thrashed it home at the near post. It was a fitting end to a truly memorable match.
1973
Sunderland 1-0 Leeds
On a grey afternoon in May 1973, all conquering Leeds United turned up for the formality of winning the FA Cup. Sunderland however were a second division team who were going to put up a fierce fight. Leeds made all the early play, but did not seriously trouble the Sunderland goal. Sunderland’s first real attack came after 30 minutes when Kerr’s shot was tipped over the bar by David Harvey. Vic Halom, at the near post, flicked on the resulting corner. The ball reached the unmarked Ian Porterfield, who rammed the ball home to give Sunderland the lead. Jim Montgomery’s performance in the Sunderland goal may have been unusual, but it was effective. Leeds continued to press forward and attack. Trevor Cherry had an effort disallowed, and Billy Bremner was denied a penalty decision. Then in the 65th minute, Monty pulled off a double save that became part of FA Cup history, arguably the greatest save in the FA Cup of all time.
1987
Coventry 3-2 Tottenham (after extra-time)
The match started off at a frantic pace and after just two minutes, Chris Waddle picked up a clearance on the right and crossed to the near post where Clive Allen firmly headed the ball past Steve Ogrizovic to put Spurs 1-0 in front. Minutes later, Dave Bennet went round Ray Clemence and tucked the ball into an empty net to level proceedings. With only a few minutes of the first half remaining, Glenn Hoddle took a free kick finding Richard Gough who flicked the ball into the danger zone. Both Gary Mabbutt and Brian Kilcline went for the ball and it went into a gaping net. Twenty minutes into the second half, Keith Houchen’s diving header provided Coventry with an equaliser. With the scores now level, Coventry started to pile on the pressure and Ray Clemence had to make a string of fine saves to ensure the game went into extra time. Seven minutes into added time, Lloyd McGrath crossed the ball towards the Spurs goal from outside the area. Mabbutt tried to intercept, however the ball hit his left knee and flew over Ray Clemence head to make it 3-2.
1990
Manchester United 3-3 Crystal Palace (Man Utd won the replay 1-0)
United eventually won the 1990 FA Cup final after a replay. In the first and more dramatic meeting, Gary O’Reilly scored the opening vital goal for Palace after 20 minutes by beating United goalkeeper Jim Leighton to make it 1-0 to Palace. With only 10 minutes of the half remaining, Danny Wallace played the ball out to Brian McClair on the right; his first time centre to the far post was headed in to make it 1-1. After 62 minutes Neil Webb slid a fine pass to Mark Hughes who scored and gave United a 2-1 lead. With only 17 minutes remaining, Ian Wright scored one of the greatest FA Cup goals of all time to pull Palace back on level terms. Then, in extra time, John Solako crossed a fine ball to Ian Wright who volleyed Crystal Palace back into the lead. United came back however, and with seven minutes remaining, Danny Wallace slipped a neat ball through to Hughes into the penalty area and smashed the ball into the back of the net, to force the final to a replay, which United won 1-0.
2006
Liverpool 3-3 West Ham (Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties)
This proved to be one of the greatest FA Cup final matches of all time. The match began at a fast pace and midway through the first half Jamie Carragher scored an own goal to give the Hammers a 1-0 lead. Moments later, West Ham’s England striker, Dean Ashton fired West Ham into a 2-0 lead. Peter Crouch then headed home, however the goal was disallowed for offside. Not long after, a great free-kick from Gerrard was met by John Arne Riise and he volleyed the ball home to reduce the arrears. Ten minutes into the second half, Liverpool drew level when Crouch knocked the ball down for Steven Gerrard to volley past Shaka Hislop. Midway through the second period, a glorious 30-yard strike by Paul Konchesky fired West Ham back in front. However in injury time, Gerrard smashed the ball home from 35 yards out to level the score and take the match into extra time. The game finished 3-3 and was decided on penalties. Reina proved to be the hero as he saved three of West Ham’s penalties to make Liverpool winners of the 2006 FA Cup final.
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