Football fans have voted for their favourite FA cup moment of all time – with the 1990’s being declared the best decade for the competition.
Ryan Giggs’ mesmerising solo goal against Arsenal in 1999 has been crowned the greatest moment in FA Cup history. The Manchester United winger danced past four defenders before outsmarting goalkeeper David Seaman to secure a 2-1 victory, propelling Man United into the semi-finals.
The iconic moment topped a poll of 2,000 fans, beating Wimbledon’s triumph over Liverpool in the 1988 final and Leicester’s heartwarming first-ever cup win in 2021.
Other memorable moments include Paul Gascoigne‘s spectacular free kick against Arsenal in 1991, Wigan’s upset over Man City in 2013, and Chelsea’s win in the inaugural final at the new Wembley against Manchester United.
Jake Ashton for OLBG, which commissioned the research, said: “Fans talk about the magic of the cup and with good reason. Just recently we saw some more history being made when Macclesfield knocked out the holders, Crystal Palace – showing there is plenty of life in the tournament.
“Some of these moments really did make your jaw drop, whether they were stunning results, giant killings or individual goals.”
Aside from Giggs’ wonder goal, the top-rated goals on the list included Michael Owen’s remarkable double in 2001 that clinched the cup for Liverpool from Arsenal.
Steven Gerrard’s breathtaking long-range equaliser for Liverpool against West Ham in the 2006 final also made the cut, ranking 12th in the top 20 list.
A recent survey has revealed that the FA Cup remains a beloved competition among football fans, with 56% of respondents naming it as their favourite cup tournament. Moreover, three-quarters of fans plan to make a special effort to watch the final this year.
The survey highlighted that the most enjoyable aspects of the FA Cup include the thrilling upsets (34%), the opportunity for smaller clubs to shine (33%), and the unpredictability of the tournament (26%).
Additionally, one in five fans delight in watching lower-league teams battle it out on TV, a rare treat for many.
Interestingly, the 1990s were considered the heyday of the FA Cup. Jake Ashton commented, “Naysayers will talk about the magic of the cup diminishing, but this survey shows there’s life in the old tournament yet.”
He added, “Here’s hoping there’s lots more exciting twists and turns to come as the FA Cup reaches its final stages leading up to the final.”
THE TOP 20 MOST MEMORABLE FA CUP MOMENTS:
- Ryan Giggs’ solo wonder goal v Arsenal (semi‑final replay, 1999)
- Wimbledon’s “Crazy Gang” upset Liverpool (1988)
- Leicester beat Chelsea to win first FA Cup (2021)
- Michael Owen’s late double for Liverpool v Arsenal (2001)
- Paul Gascoigne’s stunning free‑kick v Arsenal (semi‑final, 1991)
- Ronnie Radford’s thunderbolt as Hereford stun Newcastle (1972)
- Arsenal’s “five‑minute final” comeback v Man United (1979)
- Arsenal win first FA Cup final decided by penalties v Man United (2005)
- Chelsea win first final at new Wembley; Drogba in extra time v Man United (2007)
- Eric Cantona scores two penalties; Man United dominate the final (1994)
- Wigan stun Man City; Ben Watson’s late header (2013)
- Gerrard’s injury-time equaliser v West Ham (2006)
- Arsenal come from 0–2 down to beat Hull 3–2 after extra time (2014)
- Bert Trautmann plays on with a broken neck; Man City win (1956)
- Sunderland upset Leeds at Wembley (1973)
- Matthews inspires Blackpool comeback (“Matthews Final”, 1953)
- Chelsea beat Leeds in a muddy, ferocious replay (1970)
- Lincoln City become first non‑league quarter‑finalists in over a century (2017)
- Gazza injured; Spurs beat Nottingham Forest in extra time (1991)
- Southampton upset Man United; Bobby Stokes winner (1976)