On This Day – 12th May
One of the most famous FA Cup Finals, known as ‘The Five Minute Final’ happened on this day in 1979. Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-2, with three of the goals in the final five minutes, hence the name ‘The Five Minute Final’.
Arsenal scored twice in the first half to give them a two-goal lead. The first came from Brian Talbot before Frank Stapleton added a second two minutes before half time.
United never looked like getting back into the game as the clock ticked on. However, Gordon McQueen scored after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick in the 86th minute and suddenly Arsenal were on the back foot.
Sammy McIllroy scored an equaliser for United just two minutes later to turn the game on its head. However, Arsenal attacked straight from the restart, Graham Rix hit a hopeful cross into the box and Alan Sunderland put the ball into the back of the net.
Arsenal’s win against Manchester United made up for their defeat to Ipswich Town in the Cup Final the previous year. They returned to Wembley twelve months later for their third successive FA Cup Final, but lost 1-0 to Second Division West Ham United. Manchester United next reached the FA Cup Final in 1983, beating Brighton and Hove Albion after a replay.
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