On the eve of the 2015 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Aston Villa, Sports Mole recounts some of the classic contests over the years in football's oldest domestic cup competition.
1. Blackpool 4-3 Bolton Wanderers, 1953
Even now, some 62 years on from the famous match, this final has firmly earned its place at the top of the list. The tricky wing play of the great Sir Stanley Matthews, who finally helped his hometown club to the most prestigious crown in domestic club football after seven near misses, ensured that this epic would become more commonly referred to as 'The Matthews Final'.
There could have been even more heartbreak for the Wizard of Dribble, though, as Blackpool found themselves 3-1 down with less than an hour played. It was then the Seasiders grew into the contest, first pulling back within one goal of their opponents thanks to Stan Mortensen's effort, before the same man fired home a free kick to level up.
There was to be more late drama in the all-Lancashire affair, when 38-year-old Matthews crossed for Bill Perry to win the game in the second minute of added time. While Matthews's name went down in folklore, it was also an historic moment for Mortensen who bagged the only hat-trick in FA Cup final history. A match that very much had it all.
2. Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 Manchester City, 1981
The first FA Cup final to go to a replay for 11 years, and the first time ever that had happened at Wembley, this match is now best remembered for a moment of magic from Spurs midfielder Ricky Villa. The majestic South American picked up the ball on the edge of the box, before slaloming his way past three bodies and slotting the ball home to spark scenes of joy.
It was Villa who had opened the scoring eight minutes in, a lead which lasted for just a few minutes thanks to an equally sublime volley from Steve MacKenzie into the roof of the net from 22 yards out. From that point, City raced ahead from the penalty spot, before Garth Crooks set up a thrilling finale when he added goal number four of the evening.
Then came Villa's moment of magic, which still to this day is considered one of the cup's greatest all-time moments. Up until this defining moment, it was compatriot Ossie Ardiles who received all the acclaim, but the former Racing Club man retired three years later knowing that he more than left his mark in North London.
3. Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United, 2006
Arguably the finest English cup showdown of modern times, Liverpool's Steven Gerrard-inspired success against West Ham in 2006 brought echoes of Istanbul just one year prior, as the Reds once more refused to accept defeat in the most dramatic of circumstances. Much like that night at the Ataturk Stadium, it was the club skipper who led from the front to level the topsy-turvy match up before eventually winning it with a strike-in-a-million.
The 125th FA Cup final, and the last to be held at its temporary home in Cardiff, it was the Hammers who took the initiative to race into a 2-0 advantage. A stunned Liverpool side were soon back in it when Djibril Cisse found the net, and when Gerrard rifled into the top corner before the hour mark there only looked to be one winner.
That was only the start of things, however, as future Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky saw his shot-cross catch Pepe Reina completely by surprise and sail into the back of the net. The Merseyside outfit, competing at this stage of the competition for the 13th time, needed a hero. Step forward Gerrard, who picked his spot to send the game to extra time and penalties. Liverpool may well have used up all of their lucky charms, though, because they have not reigned supreme since.
4. Sunderland 1-0 Leeds United, 1973
A proper cup upset, as huge favourites Leeds were edged out by Second Division Sunderland. Much like in each of the games recalled above, one man in particular stood out to help the Black Cats pull off the memorable feat - goalkeeper Jim Montgomery. His double save, when Bob Stokoe's side were sitting back on their slender advantage, helped them to eventually cross the line.
In particular, Montgomery produced heroics to pull off one of the game's finest double saves to deny both Peter Lorimer and Trevor Cherry. Prior to that, Ian Porterfield had controlled a deflected high ball that landed into his path, before firing home from 12 yards out to put Sunderland on their way.
Leeds, the current holders and at this stage a dominant force in English football, predictably piled on the pressure in the remaining time. Yet some fine defending, combined with Montgomery's cup-winning saves, sparked scenes of joy as Stokoe led the celebrations from the touchline. Sunderland not only became the first Division Two side since 1931 to lift the cup, but were also the only FA Cup winners of the 20th century to not field any full internationals.
5. Coventry City 3-2 Spurs, 1987
Another cup final involving Tottenham, although this time there was no Villa-inspired heroics at the National Stadium. Spurs, boasting a hugely talented side, were in the running to win on three fronts heading into the climax of the 1986-87 season, but they ended it potless.
A third-place finish in the league under David Pleat was a decent enough achievement, but the Lilywhites fell just short in both domestic cup competitions. Clive Allen played a huge part for Tottenham that campaign, scoring 49 goals on his way to being named both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and FWA Footballer of the Year.
The last of those strikes came at Wembley, as he tucked home just two minutes in from a Chris Waddle assist, but Dave Bennett - a loser in the 1981 final against the same opposition - was quick to equalise. The two sides continued to share the goals, Gary Mabbutt putting the favourites ahead, before Keith Houchen bagged a sublime headed leveller. Then came an unfortunate own goal from Mabbutt in extra time, which paved the way for Coventry's finest moment.
