The FA Cup final is a magical event, and the goals scored in these matches are often the stuff of legend. From the technically satisfying to the shock-inducing, these strikes have left their mark on the competition's history. Here's a ranking of the best FA Cup final goals, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
- Ricky Villa - Tottenham v Man City 1981
This goal is pure adrenaline-fuelled emotion. Villa, a man who had been taken off a few days earlier, came back to haunt his former club. With the game tied at 2-2 and 14 minutes remaining, he embarked on his famous dribble. Shorts clinging to his upper quads, hair billowing in the Thursday evening Wembley breeze, Chas & Dave ringing in his ears, he skipped through light blue shirts under a floodlit glare and slotted between Joe Corrigan's legs. It changed his life in the English league.
- Steven Gerrard - Liverpool v West Ham 2006
Gerrard's name is synonymous with belters, but this one stands out. Hobbling around with cramp as Liverpool trailed West Ham 3-2 in added time, lactic acid coursing through his thighs, the midfielder swung a right boot at a bobbling ball 40 yards out. It fizzed just above the turf until hitting the back of Shaka Hislop's net. Gerrard's wonder strike secured Liverpool's victory on penalties, and he felt like the most special and important player in the world.
- Roberto di Matteo - Chelsea v Middlesbrough 1997
This goal is a testament to the beauty of the game. Di Matteo, still in his own half, surged forward as if the Middlesbrough midfield was still in the dressing room. He reached 30 yards from goal and unleashed a ferocious effort that appeared to pick up speed as it cannoned into the net off the underside of the crossbar. The Italian midfielder set off in pure elation, sprinting down the touchline.
- Michael Owen - Liverpool v Arsenal 2001
Owen's goal was a display of pure skill and instinct. With Liverpool trailing Arsenal 1-0, Owen levelled with a smartly taken half-volley in the 83rd minute. His winner five minutes later was a masterpiece. With Liverpool under pressure, Patrik Berger looped a clearance into the channel. Owen gave Lee Dixon a head start but scorched across the turf to get there first. His first touch took the ball away from Tony Adams, and his second fired a left-footed shot a fraction inside David Seaman's far post.
- Ilkay Gundogan - Man City v Man Utd 2023
Gundogan's goal was a moment of pure precision and power. Twelve seconds on the clock, captain's armband proudly cradling his bicep against his city rivals, ball dropping through the Wembley sunshine - there's never been a better excuse to hit one on the volley. Gundogan executed his effort with perfection, lacing a ferocious, dipping strike into David de Gea's top corner.
- Norman Whiteside - Man Utd v Everton 1985
This goal was a moment of pure determination and skill. With the odds stacked against Manchester United, down to 10 men heading into extra time, Norman Whiteside scrambled down the right. With a subtle little stepover, he created enough room to wrap a curling effort around Pat van den Hauwe and beyond Neville Southall into the far corner.
- Ray Parlour - Arsenal v Chelsea 2002
Parlour's goal was a moment of pure instinct and precision. With 20 minutes to go at Millennium Stadium, the midfielder's sweaty curls could be spotted bounding through blue shirts. Suddenly, he had room 30 yards out to curl an effort beyond Carlo Cudicini.
- Charlie George - Arsenal v Liverpool 1971
George's goal was a moment of pure power and celebration. The maverick Gunners forward played a one-two before lashing a strike beyond Ray Clemence from the edge of the box. The celebration is iconic - George laying down on his back, arms outstretched, lifting his head and scruffily sideburned cheeks before being mobbed by team-mates.
- Ben Watson - Wigan v Man City 2013
This goal was a moment of pure drama and shock. Ben Watson rising like an Atlantic salmon to meet Shaun Maloney's corner at the front post and flicking a looping header into the far corner against a City side who had won their first Premier League title the year before. It produced as big a shock as Wigan Athletic's win over Manchester City.
- Youri Tielemans - Leicester v Chelsea 2021
Tielemans' goal was a moment of pure magic and precision. Youri Tielemans received a pass inside the Chelsea half, took two touches to shift it out of his feet before angling a bullet-like drive into Kepa Arrizabalaga's top corner. Covid restrictions meant only 20,000 were at Wembley, but the Foxes fans will hold on to those cup-winning memories.
