Classic FA Cup Finals
Final day at Wembley is what the FA Cup is all about. Over the years, this special occasion has produced a number unforgettable matches.
April 20th 1923: Bolton Wanderers 2- 0 West Ham United
The 1923 FA Cup Final is famous for attracting the biggest crowd in FA Cup history. Over 200,000 people flocked to watch Bolton Wanderers take on West Ham United at the new Empire Stadium at Wembley. The massive crowd delayed the game for almost an hour as security officers struggled to clear the pitch. In an epic game, David Jack and JR Smith scored to hand Bolton the FA Cup for the first time in three FA Cup Finals.
May 7th 1966: Everton 3 – 2 Sheffield Wednesday
The greatest comeback of all classic FA Cup Final games. The fate of the FA Cup appeared to be sealed in the 18th minute when Sheffield Wednesday’s David Ford hammered home the team’s second goal. However, Everton’s Mike Trebilcock had other ideas. The Cornish winger scored a goal on 20 minutes and then followed up after half time with another. Frenzied play in the final minutes of the match forced a mistake from Sheffield Wednesday defender Gerry Young, allowing Everton forward Derek Temple to force through the winning goal.
May 5th 1973: Sunderland 1-0 Leeds United
When Second Division Sunderland made it into the FA Cup Final in 1973, few fancied their chances of putting one over Cup holders Leeds United. A Sunderland team that had spent its season struggling at the bottom of the Second Division looked mismatched against a First Division Leeds United team boasting 10 England Internationals. In a tense game, the Leeds attack was frustrated repeatedly by good defence before Ian Porterfield smashed home the winning goal for Sunderland.
May 14th 1988: Wimbledon 1 – 0 Liverpool
Few believed that 33-1 outsiders Wimbledon posed any threat to league champions Liverpool. Yet 10 minutes before halftime, Wimbledon’s Lawrie Sanchez set the gears of this classic FA Cup Final in motion, heading home a Dennis Wise cross from a free kick. The second half saw the Wimbledon defence stand up to a determined Liverpool attack before eventually conceding a penalty. But it was David Beasant’s day. The giant Wimbledon player became the first keeper in the history of FA Cup finals to save a penalty. It was not to be for Liverpool as Wimbledon claimed a dramatic victory.
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