West Ham weren't favoured in this Final, facing a strong Arsenal side while they languished in the Second Division. They also chose to play the youngest-ever Wembley finalist up until that point, Paul Allen, who faced the daunting task of marking Liam Brady. But a thirteenth minute header from Trevor Brooking followed by some tenacious defence and goalkeeping from Phil Parkes sealed the win for the underdogs.

The 100th Cup Final to be contested went to a replay with both matches being played at Wembley. Manchester City's  Tommy Hutchison managed to score at both ends to ensure a rematch. The second game was a more explosive affair with early goals from Ricardo Villa and Steve Mackenzie making honours even. A penalty put City ahead but Spurs equalised through Garth Crooks. The winner is considered one of the finest FA Cup goals ever, with Ricky Villa dribbling through the City defence to score.

It was Spurs again in 1982 and another replay after underdogs Queen's Park Rangers, under manager Terry Venables, held the holders to a 1-1 draw at Wembley, with Glenn Hoddle and Terry Fenwick scoring in extra time. The replay saw only one goal, a penalty scored by Hoddle early on. 

It was the third replay in as many years as struggling Brighton pulled off an upset and held high-flying United to a 2-2 draw with goals from Gordon Smith and Gary Stevens for Brighton and United goals from Frank Stapleton and Ray Wilkins. The Wembley replay was closer to the form book, with  United winning 4-0 thanks to two goals from Bryan Robson, one from Norman Whiteside and a penalty from Arnold Mühren. 

It was three-time winners Everton facing Graham Taylor's debutants Watford in the '84 Final. Scots Graeme Sharp and Andy Gray grabbed the goals. Gray's goal was seen as controversial as he headed the ball out of keeper Steve Sherwood's hands and into the net.

Everton were hoping for the 'triple' after winning the League and European Cup Winners' Cup. But just as they had done with Liverpool, United were there to spoil the party. They won by a single goal, scored in extra time by Norman Whiteside. Towards the end of the game, United's Kevin Moran made history as the first player to be sent off during the Final.

It was the first all-Merseyside final with League champions Liverpool taking on runners-up Everton. Liverpool made history by fielding a first eleven with no English players (though Mark Lawrenson was born in England but played for Ireland). Everton took the lead through a Gary Lineker goal, but Liverpool dominated in the second half, winning 3-1 thanks to two goals from Ian Rush, and one from Craig Johnston.

Spurs had won the Cup seven times and had never lost a final, while Coventry City had never appeared in their 104-year history. The inevitable seemed about to happen when prolific scorer Clive Allen put Spurs a goal up. But Coventry equalised through Dave Bennett. Gary Mabbutt put Spurs ahead again, but tenacious Coventry drew level again with a diving header from Keith Houchen. The game went into extra time, but Coventry triumphed as the unfortunate Mabbutt scored an own goal.

The low-flying, 'Crazy Gang' of Wimbledon were not fancied against one of the best Liverpool teams of the modern era, but they managed to pull off one of the biggest FA Cup upsets. Kenny Dalglish's side featured stars such as Peter Beardsley, John Aldridge and John Barnes, but Wimbledon frustrated supply up to Barnes and snatched a goal when Lawrie Sanchez knocked in a Dennis Wise free-kick. Hero of the game was captain and keeper Dave Beassant who saved a John Aldridge penalty and became the first goalie to lift the Cup.

The 1989 Merseyside derby final between Liverpool and Everton was overshadowed by the Hillsborough disaster that had occurred five weeks earlier. Liverpool played like a team with destiny on their side and it was only the skill of goalkeeper Neville Southall that kept Everton in the match. A 3-2 thriller, John Aldridge scored early on with Everton equalising through Stuart McCall in the 89th minute. Manager Kenny Kenny Dalglish brought Ian Rush on as sub, and his skill proved to be the decisive factor in extra time, as he scored twice. 

Alex Ferguson's first FA Cup final ended in stalemate after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace. Two goals each from top strikers Mark Hughes and Ian Wright, plus goals from Bryan Robson and Gary O'Reilly ensured a replay. Ferguson dropped regular keeper Jim Leighton in favour of Les Sealey, a gamble that paid off. United's 1-0 victory came from an unlikely source; defender Lee Martin who had only scored one goal previously for his club.

It should have been Paul Gascoine's final. The Spurs player had performed incredibly all season and had been a major factor in the London side appearing in the final at all. But the occasion seemed to get to Gazza, who unleashed a couple of rash tackles early on, one which led to Nottingham Forest's opening goal from a fee-kick and to his own injury. Gascoine was stretchered off after 17 minutes. Spurs went on to miss a penalty and have a valid goal disallowed, but still won in extra time thanks to Paul Stewart  and a Des Walker own goal.

As so often happens at Wembley, Second Division Sunderland were considered the underdogs, but had the best of the play during the Final's first half. But a Michael Thomas goal after 47 minutes calmed Liverpool down and they soon dominated. Ian Rush scored again, his fifth goal in FA Cup Finals.

Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday each found themselves playing at Wembley four times in six weeks as they met in that year's League Cup Final, played the FA Cup semi-finals at the stadium and saw this Final heading to a replay. Ian Wright scored to put Arsenal ahead in both games, but Wednesday kept fighting back. The first-ever penalty shootout at a final was avoided when Andy Linighan, suffering from a broken nose, scored the winner with one minute of extra-time remaining.

Manchester United secured their first double with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Chelsea. But they were slow to get started at a rainy Wembley. Chelsea had the better of the early possession and came close to scoring. But two penalties, both scored by Eric Cantona, plus goals from Mark Hughes and Brian McClair ensured the United win.

Though Everton had reached Wembley having only conceded one goal, their League form was another story and they were close to relegation as they faced the previous year's champions Manchester United. But their Cup form continued with Paul Rideout scoring the lone goal after 30 minutes.

United reached their third final in three seasons and had already won the League when they faced their biggest rivals, Liverpool, who turned up at Wembley in white suits. The only goal came from the comeback king, Eric Cantona, who had only recently returned from his seven month suspension for attacking a Crystal Palace fan. His 85th minute goal ensured that United were the first team to achieve 'the double' twice.

Middlesborough must look back on the 1996/97 season with utter despair. Though they reached the finals of the League and FA Cups, they lost both and were relegated from the Premiership. Roberto Di Matteo scored the fastest ever Wembley goal after just 42 seconds with Eddie Newton sealing the victory in the 83rd minute.

Arsène Wenger achieved his first Cup victory and his first 'double' against Kenny Dalglish's Newcastle side with relative ease. Goals from Marc Overmars and Nicolas Anelka in either half secured the win for the Gunners.

United's historic treble season saw them conquering the League, winning the Champions League and beating Newcastle United. Goals by United legends Paul Scholes and Teddy Sheringham ensured the win.