Been many many memorable goals in the FA Cup finals, so putting a list together of my top 10 has been difficult to say the least.
Some of those not to make the 10 but memorable all the same is, Santi Cazorla’s free kick for Arsenal versus Hull in the 2014 final, Bobby Stokes winner for Southampton versus Manchester United in the 1976 final and also 2 classic headers,one from Tommy Hutchinson in the 1981 final, Manchester City versus Spurs (the one in the wrong end, was pretty good as well), and Keith Houchen’s diving header for Coventry versus Spurs in the 1987 FA Cup final.
Here is my top 10 to get you in the mood for the final today,hope you enjoy it.
10. Charlie George, 1971 FA Cup final versus Liverpool. The year Arsenal won the double, George getting the ball outside the penalty box, taking a touch and in sweltering conditions, late in the game, smashes the ball past Ray Clemence.
9. Michael Owen, 2001 FA Cup final versus Arsenal (revenge for above) ;). A game that Arsenal dominated, and Vieira bossed Gerrard in the centre of midfield. Patrik Berger plays a long ball over the top and Owen with his pace gets away from Keown, and with other defenders trying to get across, Owen with his wrong foot, places the ball into the far corner past Seaman. Cue delirium and this writer getting hammered that night!
8. Jimmy Case – 1977 FA Cup final versus Manchester United. Liverpool had just gone one nil down, Ball played up to the edge of the box, Case gets to the second ball takes a touch and on the turn drills a shot into the top corner past Alex Stepney.
7. Ray Parlour – 2002 FA Cup final versus Chelsea. Some build up play and then the Romford Pele, gets the ball goes forward and from a good 20 yards puts it past Carlo Cudicini. Memorable goal as well for Tim Lovejoy, a massive Chelsea fan’s, commentary when Parlour gets the ball in a good shooting area, saying “Don’t worry it’s only
6. Frank Lampard – 2009 FA Cup final versus Everton. Lampard gets the ball good 30 yards out turns inside a defender, and with his wrong foot puts it into the top corner past Tim Howard’s reach, a great finish.
5. Steve MacKenzie – 1981 FA Cup final versus Spurs. In my opinion this final had the best ever compilation of goals, and this goal has been forgotten by a few. Ball gets cleared outside the penalty box, MacKenzie with great technique, catches the clearance on the volley, and the ball hurtles past Milja Aleksic in the Spurs goal. A fantastic strike.
4. Steven Gerrard – 2006 FA Cup final versus West Ham. Four minutes of injury time on the board and Liverpool in dire straits, ball breaks to Gerrard and a good 30 yards out hits it as clean as a whistle and it flies past Shaka Hislop. As clean a strike as you can get.
3. Roberto Di Matteo – 1997 FA Cup final versus Middelsborough. Goal scored after 42 seconds, Di Matteo gets the ball in his own half, just keeps going as defenders back off, and then unleashes a shot that goes directly over the keeper, Ben Roberts head, and hits the underside of the bar before going in, the pace and dip he got on the shot was outstanding. A fantastic goal.
2. Norman Whiteside – 1985 FA Cup final versus Everton. Mark Hughes gets the ball on the centre circle holds play up (was amazing at that) then curls a ball out to the right wing, Whiteside gets the ball, confronts Pat Van Den Hauwe, and using the defender as a shield curls with his left foot a shot into the bottom corner past Neville Southall. Picked this goal for the technique involved, plus beating a keeper like Southall from where he was took some doing.
1. Ricardo Villa – 1981 FA Cup final versus Manchester City. The goal that finally settled the 2 great games in this particular final. Tony Galvin gets the ball goes on one of his long runs, and then plays it inside to Villa, he runs backing defenders into the box, goes past Tommy Caton and then Paul Power on a weaving dribble, and then as Joe Corrigan comes out, slots it under him into the goal. A fantastic dribble and finish.
Hope you enjoyed that trip down memory lane, and any comments please share.
Enjoy the cup final today.