Take a trip down memory lane and view four of the most famous derby clashes in FA Cup final history.
The FA Cup Final is always a thrilling spectacle, but when it features a derby clash between local rivals, the stakes are raised to the next level. Not surprisingly, given its history, with the first FA Cup Final played in 1872, there have been plenty of intense derby encounters over the years.
As we prepare for Saturday’s derby between the red and blue halves of Manchester we have a look at four memorable FA Cup Final derby clashes that have left an indelible mark on the beautiful game.
🚨 The Emirates FA Cup trophy has already been partially engraved to recognise and celebrate the first ever Final between Manchester United and Man City. @FA pic.twitter.com/RIcACx0obm
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) May 29, 2023
Arsenal vs Chelsea (2001-02)
The first all-London FA Cup Final since 1982 when Spurs beat QPR 1-0, this game was played at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff as Wembley underwent upgrades. The match was a tightly contested affair, with Arsenal’s Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg scoring the goals in what was a cagey affair that featured some of the biggest names in football – think John Terry, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Manu Petit, Patrick Viera and Ashley Cole. The victory secured the double for Arsenal, who had already clinched the Premier League title, and cemented their status as one of the dominant forces in English football.
It's Arsenal vs Chelsea in the FA Cup
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) August 1, 2020
This is a repeat of the FA Cup Final in 2002 when Arsenal ran away 2-0 winners with second half goals from Ray Parlour and Freddie Ljungberg pic.twitter.com/hLr5WczyDh
Liverpool v Everton (1985-86)
These two sides were regarded as the top two of English footbal when they clashed at Wembley on 10 May 1986. Liverpool had won the league the week before, beating Everton into second place and the two squared up again as they showcased Merseyside’s dominance of the English football landscape. It was The Toffees who opened the scoring in the first half through Gary Lineker. But an Ian Rush brace and a goal from South African born Craig Johnston saw Liverpool come from behind to win 3-1 and secure the double in Kenny Dalglish’s first season as player-manager.
It's Liverpool v Everton in the FA Cup
— Classic Football Shirts (@classicshirts) January 5, 2020
The 1986 Final was a Merseyside derby in these great shirts
Everton went 1-0 up but the strength of the Liverpool side came through winning 3-1 to lift the trophy.#FACup #Merseysidederby pic.twitter.com/TjQJcGhBzc
Liverpool v Everton (1988-89)
Played just over a month after the tragedy of the Hillsbrough Disaster this was an emotional affair. The Hillsbury Disaster has occurred during the semi-final clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, a game won by the former to secure their place in the Wembley showpiece.
Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the pacemakers led the singing of You’ll Never Walk Alone before the gane began and both sides wore armbands in remembrance of the 97 dead fans. John Aldridge opened the scoring in the fourth minutes and it looked like it was going to be Liverpools day again – until an 90 minute equaliser from Stuart McCall saw Everton take the game in extra time.
Liverpool again took the lead, this time through Ian Rush only to see McCall equalise a second time – in doing so he became the first sub to score twice in an FA Cup Final. But Liverpool weren’t done and Rush bagged a second Cup Final brace against Everton when he headed home a John Barnes cross to seal a famous and emotional 3-2 win.
Liverpool v Everton, 1989 Fa Cup Final pic.twitter.com/wjRQUefboG
— When Football Was Better (@FootballInT80s) October 16, 2020
West Ham United v Fulham (1974-75)
A District Line derby between two of London’s less fashionable clubs, this was the first and only time that Fulham have appeared in the FA Cup Final. They fielded a strong team with two former England captains in their ranks – Bobby Moore (who had also been a West Ham captain) and Alan Mullery.
It wasn’t to be for Fulham however and on a day that goalkeeper Peter Mellor would probably want to forget The Hammers scored twice, their first after Mellor parried a shot into Alan Taylor’s path and the second, again from Taylor, after he failed to gather a shot from Graham Paddon. In a mark of how global football has become, the victorious West Ham team were the last all-English side to lift the FA Cup.
1975 FA Cup Final at Wembley, May 1975. West Ham United 2 v Fulham 0. Alan Taylor of West Ham (left) pic.twitter.com/cSYpmm9GV8
— boleyn badges (@boleynbadges) February 13, 2019
