FA Cup Final: Four of the greatest FA Cup Final goals
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The FA Cup has witnessed some magical goals over the years. Here, we look back at some memorable net busters which came on the biggest stage in English football, the FA Cup Final.
Since the 1990s games have been held at both the new and old Wembley Stadium, plus the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, all of which feature in our top four FA Cup final goals.
We have already looked at the biggest FA Cup upsets, now it’s time to remember some big goals…
Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea v Middlesbrough, 1997)
What a start. A goal which deservedly takes its place on the list. The Chelsea midfielder’s goal was not only a stunning strike but was the fastest ever goal scored in an FA Cup Final at the time, hitting the net after just 42 seconds.
Di Matteo picked up the ball on the halfway line before driving forward and firing an unstoppable effort in off the crossbar to beat a helpless Ben Roberts in the ‘Boro goal from 25 yards.
Eddie Newton added a second after 83 minutes to seal a 2-0 win for the Blues and their second FA Cup crown.
Ray Parlour (Arsenal v Chelsea, 2002)
Ray ‘The Romford Pele’ Parlour. This final had two stunning solo efforts but the opening goal from Parlour makes it onto our list.
Parlour wasn’t renowned for his goal scoring exploits, but he produced a strike which will live long in the minds of Gunners fans after 70 minutes in Cardiff.
The midfielder left it until the final to score what was only his second goal of the season when he curled a sublime right footed shot beyond Carlo Cudicini into the top corner to give Arsenal the lead.
Freddie Ljungberg doubled the initiative ten minutes later with a powerful run and sumptuous finish to clinch a league and cup double for Arsene Wenger’s side in 2002.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool v West Ham United, 2006)
The 2006 FA Cup Final will forever be known as ‘The Gerrard Final’. The Liverpool skipper scored one of the most outrageous goals to take the tie to extra-time as the clock struck 90 minutes.
West Ham had one hand on the trophy and were minutes away from causing an upset, until Gerrard fired a low drive from 35 yards past Shaka Hislop to level the game at 3-3.
Gerrard had pulled his team out of trouble with two goals in normal time, and he went on to convert his spot kick in the shootout as Liverpool won on penalties in one of the most dramatic FA Cup finals.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea v Portsmouth, 2010)
The Ivorian made a habit of scoring at Wembley, but his best effort proved to be the match winner in the 2010 final against Portsmouth.
As Pompey rued a missed penalty at one end, Drogba was standing over a free kick at the other.
The striker fired a dipping shot over the wall from the left side of the box to beat David James and give Chelsea the lead with the help of the woodwork.
Chelsea held on as Carlo Ancelotti completed a league and cup double in his first season at Stamford Bridge.
So, there you have it! Honourable mentions go to Eric Cantona’s winning volley against Liverpool in 1996, Michael Owen’s late second against Arsenal in 2001, Ben Watson’s header to win the cup for Wigan in 2013 and Santi Cazorla’s sumptuous free kick a year later.
