Today is FA Cup final day and it still has a special place on the English sporting calendar.
Crystal Palace and Manchester City lock horns at Wembley, each looking to etch their name into the history books.
So, ahead of what should be an exciting all-Premier League clash, football betting website NetBet Sport has taken a look through the archives and picked five of the greatest FA Cup final moments since the turn of the millennium.
Let’s begin…
Michael Owen’s Late, Late Heroics – 2001
Arguably Owen’s finest moment in a Liverpool jersey came in 2001 as his late brace in Cardiff secured the FA Cup trophy. It was a match Arsenal dominated and when the Gunners deservedly took the lead in the 72nd minute, the final result looked a formality. But Owen – who would collect the Ballon d’Or award later that year – had other ideas, the English striker equalising with a close-range finish before outpacing Tony Adams and Lee Dixon soon after to fire the Reds in front. Arsene Wenger looked gobsmacked on the touchline, but he got revenge a year later as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-0 in the 2002 final.
Steven Gerrard’s Venomous Volley – 2006
The 2006 final is perhaps the greatest of the modern era. West Ham stormed into a 2-0 first-half lead, but Djibril Cisse was on hand to reduce the deficit before the break. Gerrard equalised in the 54th minute, only for Paul Konchesky’s cross-cum-shot to put the Hammers back in front 10 minutes later. And that fluke effort set us up perfectly for one of the FA Cup’s greatest ever goals. In the first minute of stoppage time, a hobbling Gerrard somehow found the strength to lash home a sensational volley from all of 35 yards. It sparked scenes of pandemonium in the Liverpool end and the Reds went on to win 3-1 on penalties.
Yaya Toure Ends Man City’s Drought – 2011
Yes, there was a time not too long ago when trophies were not a common feature of City’s seasons. In fact, the Citizens’ silverware drought lasted 35 long years, before Toure’s 74th-minute winner against Stoke at Wembley. The Ivorian midfielder capitalised on a loose ball in the box to fire home for Roberto Mancini’s side and it was a strike that started one of the most dominant eras in English football. Since Toure’s goal, City have lifted 23 more trophies – and they have the chance to make it 24 against Palace later today!
Ben Watson’s Wigan Winner – 2013
One of the great FA Cup underdog stories as a star-studded City side felt the full force of Watson’s forehead. The ginger-haired midfielder scored a stoppage-time goal that will forever be cherished by both Wigan fans and City’s array of rivals as the Latics won 1-0 against all the odds. It was a welcome reminder of why football is so great and proof that the big boys do not always get their own way, also evidenced by Pablo Zabaleta’s second-half red card. Roberto Martinez’s Wigan were unfortunately relegated from the Premier League the same season, but 2012-13 is still a campaign full of fond memories for the club.
Santi Cazorla Starts Arsenal Comeback – 2014
When Arsenal arrived at Wembley for the 2014 final, the main narrative in the build up had been the fact they had not won a trophy for 10 years. In their way this time around stood Hull, who many thought would not pose much of a problem. How wrong the pessimists were, as the Tigers took a 2-0 lead with just eight minutes on the clock. Everything seemed to be going against Wenger’s men and the trophy hoodoo appeared to weigh heavy on the players’ shoulders. But with one moment of free-kick magic, Cazorla completely changed the course of the game and ignited the fuse of a comeback. The Spaniard’s set-piece is one of the great final goals and paved the way for Arsenal to claim a 3-2 win, with Aaron Ramsey netting the winner in extra-time.
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