Top 10 - classic FA Cup semi-finals

11 April 2012

On the eve of FA Cup semi-final weekend, we take a look back at the magic of the Cup in some of the most memorable last-four encounters from years gone by.

Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal - Villa Park, 1999
In United's treble winning season, few moments are as iconic as Ryan Giggs' individual winner at Villa Park. The tie was balanced at 1-1 after Dennis Bergkamp missed an injury time penalty, when deep into extra-time, the Welsh winger mazed past the entire Arsenal defence and scored past David Seaman before an ecstatic celebration as United reached the final.

Chesterfield 3-3 Middlesbrough - Old Trafford, 1997
Third division side Chesterfield were on the verge of completing one of the greatest cup runs in history when they led Premier League Middlesbrough 2-0. While leading they were denied a perfectly good goal which allowed Middlesbrough back into the game. Chesterfield forced a replay with a late equaliser but were well beaten in the repeat fixture, bringing the fairytale run to an end.

Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool - Villa Park, 1990
Having humbled Palace 9-0 earlier in the season, Liverpool were clear favourites to advance to Wembley. But despite trailing twice, Palace produced a stirring performance to seal a memorable victory thanks to an extra-time winner from Alan Pardew.

Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal - Wembley, 1991
The first FA Cup semi-final to be staged at Wembley played host to the first ever meeting of the North London rivals at this stage of the competition. And it was Spurs, who had finished one place above their local rivals in the league the year before, won a classic encounter which is best remembered for Paul Gascoigne's spectacular 30-yard free kick.

Manchester United 3-3 Oldham - Maine Road, 1990
Joe Royle's second-tier Oldham so nearly delayed Sir Alex Ferguson's first trophy with United, after a plucky performance gave them the lead and twice drew level to force a replay. Brave Oldham would eventually lose as United went on to lift the trophy.

Coventry City 3-2 Leeds United - Hillsborough, 1987
In an impressive cup-run to this point, Coventry had already knocked out Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday and were favourites to beat second-tier Leeds. In an eventful match, the momentum swung one way and the other as both teams led before Dave Bennett gave the Sky Blues a memorable victory in added-time.

Brighton 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday - Highbury, 1983
Scrapping for survival in the First Division, Brighton defied logic to reach the FA Cup final in '83 after a fantastic win against a much fancied Wednesday side. A magnificent free-kick from Jimmy Case won the match and earned them a place in the final. Brighton would go on to be relegated that year but performed admirably to earn a replay of the final where they would eventually succumb to Manchester United.

Everton 4-1 Tottenham - Elland Road, 1995
Everton's last visit to Wembley before 2008 arrived in style as they put favourites, Spurs, to the sword. A brilliant display of attacking football from the Toffees saw Daniel Amokachi come off the bench to score twice and sent the Merseysiders through to the final.

Manchester United 5-3 Fulham - Highbury, 1958
Only months after the tragic Munich air disaster, United's patched up team put in a stirring performance to lead Fulham 3-0 before the Cottagers fought back to 3-4 down when John Haynes controversially had a goal ruled out. A resurrected United advanced to Wembley and an emotional final against Bolton.

Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool - Highfield Road, 1980
This was the longest semi-final in history as the two giants had to play each other four times to finally decide the winner. The first at Hillsborough was 0-0 with the second at Villa Park ending 1-1. The third was also at Villa Park with Kenny Dalglish equalising in the dying moments after Alan Sunderland had given Arsenal the lead with just 13 seconds gone. Highfield Road staged its only ever semi-final as the Gunners eventually finally progressed from this marathon tie at the fourth time of asking.

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Top 10 - classic FA Cup semi-finals

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