MIDFIELD DYNAMO logo large


Top 10 FA Cup Final Goals



The greatest domestic match in the world has been blessed by some wonderful goals. Our list only goes back to when Colourvision hit the telly screens so apologies to Lord Smitheringham whose mazy dribble won the 1879 cup final for the Royal Mutineers at Kew Gardens.


No. 1 1981 Ricky Villa for Tottenham Hotspur

Villa led the city defence a merry dance to score one of the greatest goals of all time, never mind the Cup final. It was a scintillating run through City's penalty area, cutting inside to take out two defenders. He then defeated Joe Corrigan's desperate attempt to smother the ball by gently caressing the ball past him. It was a wonder goal to win an epic final at a floodlit Wembley.



No. 2 2006 Steven Gerrard for Liverpool

An astonishing 35 yard strike from a player who summoned his last reserves on a hot Cardiff afternoon to deny West Ham a memorable Cup final victory. The fact that it happened in injury time will obviously make it all the more memorable.



No. 3 1987 Keith Houchen for Coventry City

The only header in our top 10, but what a header. A magnificent diving effort from a Dave Bennett cross. The photography that captured this wonderful moment showed how good a goal this was.



No.4 1971 Charlie George for Arsenal

George lying knackered on the turf with his arms raised, while his exhausted team mates came to embrace him, is one of the abiding cup final memories. This would be a great addition in the entertainment centres of any fans collection of great sporting moments. The reason for his lie down? An outstanding 25 yard thunderbolt which defeated Shankly's Liverpool and won the double for Arsenal.



No. 5 1983 Ray Wilkins for Manchester United

A thrilling 2-2 draw against Brighton was illuminated by an outstanding right foot curler from Wilkins. 'The Crab' responded by sprinting the length of the pitch to celebrate with Utd's fans - something he later regretted as the game went into extra-time and his legs went.



No. 6 1985 Norman Whiteside for Manchester United

For a few years in the 1980s Whiteside was a colossus of the English game. The Rooney of his day. Perhaps his most memorable image was a thrilling run and shot which won the Cup for ten man United and thus denied Everton the double. Sadly, injuries ended his career prematurely, and it's amazing to think that in the year United won the treble, Whiteside was only 34.



No.7 2002 Ray Parlour for Arsenal

A peach of a curler from one of the most unlikely sources. Parlour's finest individual moment and a great legacy for an underrated player. Even his missus cheered.



No.8 1997 Roberto Di Matteo for Chelsea

The fastest goal in cup final history (42 seconds). And a splendid strike it was too, setting Chelsea on the way to a comfortable victory over a demoralised Middlesbrough.



No.9 1974 Kevin Keegan for Liverpool

The 1974 Cup final made Keegan an international star. An immense performance against Newcastle Utd was capped by two goals, the best of which was a thumping shot into the roof of the net after a flowing move involving Brian Hall's famous 'dummy'.



No. 10 1981 Steve MacKenzie for Manchester City

Completely overshadowed by Villa's winner, it was none the less a breathtaking volley from a player who never truly fulfilled his great potential.