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 become an integral part of the competition's rich 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
What makes this goal so special is the pure adrenaline-fuelled emotion it evokes. Villa, a man who was devastated to have been taken off a few days earlier, came back to score a stunning goal in the replay. With the game tied 2-2 with 14 minutes remaining, Villa set off on his famous dribble, skipping through light blue shirts under a floodlit glare and slotting between hapless Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan's legs. It changed his life in the English league, and it's a moment that still resonates with fans today.
- Steven Gerrard - Liverpool v West Ham 2006
Gerrard was renowned for his belters, but this one stands out. Hobbling around with cramp as Liverpool trailed West Ham 3-2 in added time, the midfielder swung a right boot at a bobbling ball 40 yards out and it fizzed just above the turf until hitting the back of Shaka Hislop's net. It was a moment of pure relief and joy for the Liverpool fans, and Gerrard's celebration said it all.
- Roberto di Matteo - Chelsea v Middlesbrough 1997
This goal is a testament to the beauty of the game. Di Matteo, with not even a minute having passed, collected a pass 10 yards inside his own half and surged forward. With Middlesbrough's midfield seemingly 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. It was a moment of pure elation for the Chelsea fans.
- Michael Owen - Liverpool v Arsenal 2001
Owen's goal was a moment of pure skill and determination. With Liverpool trailing Arsenal 1-0 in the Cardiff sunshine, Owen levelled with a smartly taken half-volley in the 83rd minute. His winner five minutes later was a display of pure instinct and precision. 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 before him, taking the ball away from the covering Tony Adams and firing 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 perfection. Twelve seconds on the clock, captain's armband proudly cradling your bicep against your city rivals, ball dropping through the Wembley sunshine - there's never been a better excuse than to just hit one on the volley. Gundogan executed his effort with precision, lacing a ferocious, dipping strike into David de Gea's top corner, the Manchester United stopper only able to watch it fly in. It was a moment of pure relief and joy for the City fans.
- Norman Whiteside - Man Utd v Everton 1985
This goal is a testament to the beauty of the game. With the odds stacked against Manchester United, down to 10 men heading into extra time against an Everton side who were chasing a treble and had already beaten them twice that season, Whiteside scrambled down the right, cut in towards the edge of the box on his left and, with a subtle little stepover, created enough room to wrap a curling effort around Toffees defender Pat van den Hauwe and beyond keeper 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 in Cardiff, the midfielder's sweaty curls could be spotted bounding through blue shirts to pick up Sylvain Wiltord's pass. Parlour looked like he wanted to shift the ball on to a team-mate but, as William Gallas and Marcel Desailly backed off, suddenly he had room 30 yards out to curl an effort beyond despairing goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.
- Charlie George - Arsenal v Liverpool 1971
George's goal was a moment of pure determination and skill. The celebration is iconic. Charlie George, donned in yellow, laying down on his back, arms outstretched, lifting his head and scruffily sideburned cheeks before he is mobbed by Arsenal team-mates after scoring the winner against Liverpool deep into extra time. You can almost sense the burning quads and cramping calf muscles through the grainy footage as George plays a one-two before lashing a strike beyond Ray Clemence from the edge of the box to seal Arsenal a league and cup double.
- Ben Watson - Wigan v Man City 2013
This goal is a testament to the beauty of the game. While not as technically satisfying as many of the efforts on the list, a well-executed set-piece is not to be sniffed at. Ben Watson rising like an Atlantic salmon to meet Shaun Maloney's corner at the front post and flick a looping header into the far corner against a City side who had won their first Premier League title the year before. It was a moment of pure relief and joy for the Wigan fans.
- Youri Tielemans - Leicester v Chelsea 2021
Tielemans' goal was a moment of pure instinct and precision. The real Leicester City miracle was winning a 5,000-1 shot Premier League title five years earlier, but clinching a first FA Cup in 2021 was almost as special. And it was sealed with an absolute rasper. 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 to witness it, but the memories will live on for Foxes fans.
