Top 10 Cup final goals

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 26th March 2009  

Top 10 Cup final goals

Gerrard celebrates in 2006

Chris Burton picks out 10 of the best goals to have graced the biggest stage in the domestic game.

1. Ricky Villa v Manchester City, 1981

Widely regarded as the finest goal to grace the old Wembley Stadium, Spurs' Argentinean maestro made sure the trophy would be heading back to North London with a sublime solo effort. There appeared to be little on when the bearded genius gathered the ball 30-yards from goal, but after tying two City defenders up in knots he retained enough composure to then slide the ball calmly under the onrushing Joe Corrigan. His mazy dribble provided a fitting finale to an epic battle and ensured that his name will forever be etched into FA Cup folklore.

2. Steven Gerrard v West Ham, 2006

Twelve months on from his inspirational performance in Istanbul, Mr Liverpool was at it again as he single-handedly dragged the Reds to cup final glory. As the clock ticked past 90 minutes Gerrard meandered around 35-yards from goal, his legs unable to carry him any longer. However, as the ball dropped to him he took one last ambitious swing of his right foot and unleashed an absolute thunderbolt which left the Hammers keeper Shaka Hislop flapping at thin air. Liverpool went on to win on penalties, but it was the performance of their skipper which left supporters and pundits in awe. As Andy Gray so aptly put it, "Take a bow son."

3. Norman Whiteside v Everton, 1985

Manchester United and Everton had been locked together in a goalless stalemate for 110 minutes until Whiteside's moment of magic broke the Toffees' hearts. His weary legs somehow allowed him to burst away down the left flank, and after a clever step-over created the yard of space he needed he then curled a sumptuous effort around the flailing Neville Southall and in off the far post. The game is probably best remembered for the Red Devils' defender Kevin Moran becoming the first man to be dismissed in an FA Cup final, but Whiteside ultimately stole the show.

4. Keith Houchen v Tottenham, 1987

The image of the Sky Blues centre-forward flying through the air as he planted a bullet header past Ray Clemence is one which will live long in the memory. Dave Bennett provided the cross from the left and Houchen was allowed acres of space in front of goal in which to direct his stooping effort into the bottom corner. Headed goals are a rare breed in FA Cup finals and the fact that this one helped Coventry record their finest hour merits its inclusion.

5. Steve MacKenzie v Tottenham, 1981

Although this strike was to be ultimately overshadowed by Ricky Villa's one-man show for Spurs, MacKenzie's first-half goal was as clean a volley as you are ever likely to see. The midfielder waited patiently on the edge of the box for Spurs to make a meal of clearing their lines, and once Tommy Hutchison nodded the ball into his path he sent an unstoppable drive sailing into the top corner. The 100th FA Cup final will forever be remembered for different reasons but this truly was an effort which deserves to be held in higher regard.

6. Ray Wilkins v Brighton, 1983

Butch illuminated a thrilling 2-2 between Manchester United and Brighton with a curling effort which brought Wembley to its feet. The goal, 18 minutes from time, appeared to have sealed victory for United and Wilkins celebrated with a lung-bursting sprint down field to share the moment with the Red Devils supporters. Unfortunately for him Gary Stevens then grabbed an equaliser with just three minutes remaining and as the game headed to extra-time 'the Crab' was left to rue his over-exuberance as his legs finally gave up on him.

7. Ray Parlour v Chelsea, 2002

An unlikely source for one of the finest goals scored during the FA Cup final's six-year relocation to Cardiff. Parlour's big moment came with 70 minutes on the clock as he ghosted past a host of Chelsea players to find space 30-yards from goal. With the Blues' defence unwilling to offer any kind of challenge the England international then surprised everyone as he sent a venomous effort arching into the top right-hand corner. It would arguably be Parlour's finest moment in a Gunners shirt and proved beyond doubt that it never pays to underestimate your opponent.

8. Charlie George v Liverpool, 1971

Another goal which is perhaps more famous for its iconic celebration than the strike itself helped Arsenal to claim a double in the early 70s. George was a maverick forward capable of jaw-dropping brilliance when the mood took him, and it was certainly firing on all cylinders as he hammered home a 25-yard, extra-time winner. With the Wembley heat having taken its toll during a gruelling contest the Gunners ace then fell flat on his back, arms raised in jubilation as he was mobbed by his exhausted team-mates.

9. Roberto Di Matteo v Middlesbrough, 1997

Any supporters who were late getting to their seat for this game missed a treat, as Chelsea's classy Italian midfielder crashed home the quickest goal in FA Cup final history. There were just 42 seconds on the clock when Di Matteo piled more misery on already-relegated Boro with a dipping effort which sailed in off the underside of the bar. It set the tone for what was to become a comfortable afternoon for the Blues, and helped the club to their first FA Cup triumph in 27 years.

10. Michael Thomas v Sunderland, 1992

Liverpool were expected to make light work of Second Division Sunderland in a final which included a side from outside the top flight for the first time since 1980. However, the Reds were pushed all the way by their stubborn opponents and needed a spectacular strike from Thomas in order to make the game safe. The midfielder was able to find plenty of space just inside the box, and after receiving a clever pass from Steve McManaman lifted a looping effort into the top corner of the net. The fact that he had to hit the ball on the turn is what makes the strike special, and the power he was able to generate ensured that Black Cats keeper Tony Norman was left with no chance.

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Comments (37)

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Dan White (Coventry City fan) says...

Yeah Gerrard's goal was definately a god goal, but how many diving headers have you seen decice a cup final? Keith Houchen's goal has to be the best I'd say. Gerrard even admitted after the game that he never meant to shoot when he scored that goal. Anyone can accidently score a goal. How many people can produce a bullet of a diving header, in a cup final?

Posted 22:30 25th February 2009

Luke Sutcliffe (Liverpool fan) says...

in all fairness Gerrards strike may well be the greatest goal in any FA cup match, from in the context of the ame as well as the fact it is the only one out of them all that im bothered about 1982 Totenham hotspur at no1. whats all that about - spurs are 20th !!!

Posted 20:38 29th September 2008

Dave Kenworth (Liverpool fan) says...

there is no question about it. steven gerrard is gifted and talented. his goal was simply the best one ever. i don't even need to argue about it. and it's as simple as this. liverpool rule, united drule! (united- man utd) don't dis liverpool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 12:37 19th June 2008

Mo Mo (Liverpool fan) says...

Daniel Docherty... are you stupid or what? the contenders are for FA CUP FINAL GOALS NOT SEMI FINALS!!! Stevie G's is the best by far. Gerrards talented. take it on the chin and shut up.

Posted 11:42 7th June 2008

Tony Jones (West Ham United fan) says...

come on trevor brooking 1980 should be in 1st place!

Posted 09:32 7th June 2008

Pablo Escobar (R'den & Dmnds fan) says...

cup final goals mate. read the article before you start ranting. similar problem for a lot of people who comment on these forums.

Posted 22:59 6th June 2008

Daniel Docherty (Manchester United fan) says...

Good Grief... No Top Ten For Ryan Giggs Solo effort Against Arsenal In The Semi Final Of Extra Time Back In 1999 ?..... Good Riddance On You... Tha Goal s Easily Betta Than Steven Gerrads (Lucky) Long Ranger ... My God... i Swear Your a Liverpool Fan ..... And Tha Means Ur Biased! Good Grief... Shocking Pick !

Posted 16:49 30th May 2008

Will Holgate (Manchester United fan) says...

Cantona for sure has to be close to the top if not the best cause there was only one route the ball could have gone for him to score and he put it there under pressure last kick of the game and against liverpool and all this about gerrard against west ham big deal i best most scousers dont even know who was west ham kepper or defenders that day off the top of there head he should never have had the chance a decent team would have kept the ball not pass it to gerrard im not sayin its not a decent goal but not as good as u scousers make out

Posted 23:31 29th May 2008

Scotty Davis (Arsenal fan) says...

Cantona's goal against Liverpool was a good strike, but it should never have gone in. It whistled past 3 or 4 people, Rob Jones should have caught it on the goal line in my opinion, and sacrifised a red card in order to keep the score at 0-0, with the hope the pressure would be too much on who ever took the pen.

Posted 08:02 20th May 2008

Kevin Davis (Liverpool fan) says...

Gerrards goal is the best goal . Villa was special but Gerrards was amazing after running on empty for the last 15 mins Sorry I'm Biased

Posted 22:22 19th May 2008

Harvey Glover (Arsenal fan) says...

No place for Freddie Ljungberg Vs Chelsea? Better than Ray Parlour's in my opinion. Ray's was a fantastic strike, but freddie's was sheers class and finesse. No keeper in the world would have saved it.

Posted 21:37 19th May 2008

Michael Deane (Liverpool fan) says...

Steven Gerrard's goal has to undoubtly be the best FA Cup goal scored never mind best Cup Final Goal!! Eric Cantona's goal against us shud'nt be in the top ten never mind 1st!!

Posted 17:47 19th May 2008

Gav Gav (Arsenal fan) says...

Cantona's goal no way...the title is Top 10! Who remembers who scored the winning goal when Arsenal and Utd were drawing 2-2..with seconds left in the game!

Posted 17:18 19th May 2008

Adam Badat (Liverpool fan) says...

I think gerrard's goal was the best because he had already scored 1 but then even though he had a cramp he does a wonder strike in the closing minutes of the match!

Posted 17:15 19th May 2008

Natalie Kerrigan (Manchester City fan) says...

Stevie G's goal was the best, pure class!!

Posted 16:49 19th May 2008

Michael Jones (Leeds United fan) says...

allen clarkes goal against arsenal in the centenary cup final when mick jones crossed the ball for clarke to rifle home a diving header mick jones dislocated his shoulder in crossing the ball.

Posted 16:01 19th May 2008

Ben Jennings (Liverpool fan) says...

Gerrard's is without a doubt the greatest goal to ever grace the cup final! The fact that the commentator had just announced added time, the fact that he could hardly walk and the fact that it was such a brilliant game means that no other goal comes close. Cantona's should be in the top ten...i'l never work out how he managed to get that ball past (what seemed to be) our whole team!

Posted 13:41 19th May 2008

Dan Constandinos (Manchester United fan) says...

Again I am going to have to mention Eric Cantona's goal and it's not just becuase I am a utd supporter. I think this list needs revising

Posted 13:19 19th May 2008

Craig Steward (Liverpool fan) says...

There have been many great goals in the FA Cup final by numerous players, Mark Hughes, Alan Sunderland, Ricky Villa, Steven Gerrard, Norman Whitside, John Aldridge,Stuart Pearce, Keith Houchen...etc...but there is only one cup final goal that stands out and it isn't even in the top 10....I'm not being biast but surely Michael Owen (2nd goal) v Arsenal 2001 in Cardiff is the best goal ever seen in an FA Cup final.It had everthing, accurate pass from Berger, Owen totally out pacing and out muscling Tony Adams and then to even get the shot off and finding the far post was an incredible strike....now come on....who has ever scored a better goal than that???

Posted 13:16 19th May 2008

Michael James (Arsenal fan) says...

I seem to remember Freddie Ljundberg's fabulous swirler in the same game against Chelski. Cantona's shot through a throng of players (& with little or no backlift) deserves a mention too. Villa's goal (a dribble highlighting the inadequacies of his opponents rather than his own skill) was a tad fortunate & more to do with the emotions of the FA Cup. Whiteside's strike from the footballing gods, against Everton is this writers numero uno!

Posted 12:51 19th May 2008
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