| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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. The reason for his lie down?
An outstanding 25 yard thunderbolt which defeated Shankly's Liverpool and won the double for
Arsenal.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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'.
|
| 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.
|
Top 10 FA Cup Final Goals 
