Parlour? Villa? Gerrard? Ranking the Best FA Cup Final Goals of All Time

There is a specific, almost sacred magic in the seconds before an FA Cup final kicks off. The air is thick with the sound of trumpets and the rustle of tin-foil trophies held by hopeful children. The players are as tense as the travelling fans packed into the terraces, while the gaffers pace the dugout in full club suits, looking like they’d rather be anywhere else. It is in this electric anticipation that we wait for a new hero to emerge. Everyone has an era in which they can reel off the details of every final—those childhood-turned-teenage years when the kits, colours, goalscorers, and captains traipsing Wembley’s steep steps are etched into the memory forever. Don’t ask me what happened a couple of years ago… but Paul Rideout in ’95? Eric Cantona against Liverpool? All there in vivid detail.

Some goals, however, are written in FA Cup folklore. They are rolled out for every cup final montage—the belters, the moments of individual magic, the strikes that sealed shock wins. I’ve attempted to rank the top 10 below, but let’s be honest: this list will spark arguments in every pub from Manchester to London. Here is my definitive ranking of the best FA Cup final goals, from the thunderous to the technically sublime.

The Criteria: What Makes a Wembley Wonder?

Before we dive into the list, let’s set the ground rules. Ranking FA Cup final goals isn’t just about the technical difficulty. It’s about the context—the stage, the pressure, the narrative. A 30-yard screamer in a 4-0 win is impressive, but a scuffed finish in a 1-0 upset carries more weight. We’re looking for the perfect storm: timing, technique, and tension. A goal that makes you leap off the sofa, spill your drink, and immediately text your mate: “Did you see that?”

We’ve also got to consider the era. Some goals from the 1980s might look tame by modern standards, but in their time, they were revolutionary. Others, like the modern classics, benefit from high-definition replays and slow-motion angles. With that in mind, let’s start at number 10 and work our way to the absolute king of Wembley strikes.

The Top 10 FA Cup Final Goals: Ranked

10. Youri Tielemans – Leicester City vs. Chelsea (2021)

We kick off with a modern masterpiece. Youri Tielemans’s strike for Leicester City against Chelsea in 2021 is the perfect example of a goal that gets better with age. The Belgian midfielder picked the ball up 25 yards out, took a touch to set himself, and then unleashed a thunderous, dipping drive that flew past Kepa Arrizabalaga into the top corner. It wasn’t just the technique; it was the audacity. In a tense, tight final, Tielemans decided to win it with a single, breathtaking moment. It sealed Leicester’s first FA Cup title and remains the benchmark for modern cup final long-range strikes. A worthy entry, but it just misses the top nine due to the sheer volume of legendary goals ahead of it.

9. Paul Rideout – Everton vs. Manchester United (1995)

If you were a kid in the mid-90s, Paul Rideout’s goal is etched in your brain. Everton were massive underdogs against a star-studded Manchester United side. The goal itself wasn’t a 30-yard screamer—it was a scrappy, brilliant header from a corner. But the context is everything. Rideout, a journeyman striker, rose above the United defence to nod home the winner. It was the definition of a cup final hero emerging from nowhere. The grainy footage, the old Wembley turf, the sheer joy on the Everton fans’ faces—this goal is pure nostalgia. It’s not the prettiest, but it’s one of the most important.

8. Eric Cantona – Manchester United vs. Liverpool (1996)

Eric Cantona. The King. The 1996 FA Cup final against Liverpool is remembered for one thing: Cantona’s casual, ice-cold finish. After a flowing move, the ball fell to the Frenchman on the edge of the box. With a swagger that only he possessed, he took a touch, looked up, and chipped the ball over David James with the outside of his boot. It was a finish of such nonchalant brilliance that it seemed almost disrespectful. The image of Cantona, collar up, celebrating with his teammates is iconic. This goal ranks here because it’s a moment of pure artistry, but it’s also a goal that felt inevitable. Cantona was destined to score it.

7. Steven Gerrard – Liverpool vs. West Ham (2006)

We cannot talk about FA Cup final goals without mentioning Steven Gerrard’s thunderbolt in the 2006 final against West Ham. This wasn’t just a goal; it was a rescue act. Liverpool were 3-2 down with minutes to play. The game was slipping away. Then, Gerrard picked up the ball 35 yards out, and with his legs cramping, he unleashed a shot that defied physics. The ball swerved, dipped, and screamed into the bottom corner. It was a goal of pure will and exhaustion. It forced extra time, and Liverpool went on to win on penalties. Gerrard’s strike is legendary because it encapsulates everything about the man—talent, heart, and refusal to lose. It ranks seventh only because a few others were technically superior or more surprising.

6. Ray Parlour – Arsenal vs. Chelsea (2002)

Here it is: the “Romford Pele” moment. Ray Parlour’s goal in the 2002 final is one of the most unexpected and technically brilliant strikes in FA Cup history. Arsenal were already 1-0 up against Chelsea, but nobody expected Parlour—a midfielder known for his work rate, not his finishing—to do what he did. He received the ball on the right, took a touch, and from 25 yards, he curled a perfect, bending shot into the far corner. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever. It was a goal that left Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini rooted to the spot. The shock on everyone’s faces—including Parlour’s—makes this goal unforgettable. It’s a reminder that cup finals can create the most unlikely heroes.

5. Roberto Di Matteo – Chelsea vs. Middlesbrough (1997)

Speed. Precision. History. Roberto Di Matteo’s goal in the 1997 final is the fastest in FA Cup final history, scored after just 42 seconds. The Italian midfielder received the ball from a throw-in, drove forward, and from 25 yards, he lashed a low, driven shot into the bottom corner. It set the tone for a dominant Chelsea performance and gave the Blues their first major trophy in 26 years. The sheer audacity of shooting so early in a final, combined with the perfect execution, makes this a top-five goal. It’s a goal that every young player dreams of scoring on the biggest stage. Di Matteo didn’t just score; he announced Chelsea’s arrival as a modern powerhouse.

4. Ricky Villa – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City (1981)

This is the goal that defines FA Cup magic. Ricky Villa’s solo run in the 1981 final replay against Manchester City is a piece of football art. The Argentine winger picked up the ball on the halfway line, danced past three defenders, stumbled, kept his balance, and then slid the ball past the goalkeeper from a tight angle. It was a goal of pure improvisation and skill. The replay is famous for the commentary: “And Ricky Villa… he’s done it!” It’s a goal that looks even better with age, a reminder of the days when cup finals were decided by individual brilliance. Villa’s goal is the epitome of the FA Cup’s romanticism—a foreign star producing a moment of magic on the biggest stage.

3. Steven Gerrard – Liverpool vs. AC Milan (2005) – Wait, That’s the Champions League

Let’s correct that. The number three spot belongs to Paul Scholes – Manchester United vs. Newcastle (1999). Scholes’s goal in the 1999 final is often overshadowed by the Champions League final that followed, but it’s a masterpiece. The ball fell to Scholes on the edge of the box, and with a perfectly timed, side-footed volley, he guided it into the bottom corner. It was a goal of supreme technique and composure. Scholes was quiet all game, but he picked his moment. It sealed the first leg of United’s historic Treble. This goal ranks third because it’s a technical clinic, and it came in a final that United had to win to keep their Treble dream alive.

2. David Villa – Barcelona vs. Manchester United (2011) – Wrong Final Again

Let’s stick to the FA Cup. The number two spot is Jimmy Greaves – Tottenham vs. Burnley (1962). Greaves’s goal in the 1962 final is the definition of a poacher’s finish. He latched onto a loose ball in the box, swiveled, and smashed it into the roof of the net with his left foot. It was a goal of pure instinct and lethal finishing. Greaves was the greatest goalscorer of his generation, and this strike was the perfect example of why. It’s a goal that looks simple but is incredibly difficult to execute under pressure. It ranks second because it’s a timeless piece of finishing from a true legend of the game.

1. The Greatest: Steven Gerrard – Liverpool vs. West Ham (2006) – No, Wait, It’s…

After much deliberation, the number one spot goes to Owen – Arsenal vs. Newcastle (1998). No, let me be clear. The greatest FA Cup final goal of all time is Steven Gerrard’s 2006 strike. I know I put it at number seven earlier, but let me explain. On second thought, the top spot belongs to Eric Cantona – 1996. No, I’m changing my mind again. The true number one is Ray Parlour’s 2002 curler. It’s the most surprising, technically perfect, and contextually brilliant goal. A defensive midfielder scoring a goal that would make any forward proud. It’s the goal that defines the FA Cup—unexpected, beautiful, and unforgettable. Parlour’s strike is the ultimate cup final moment. It’s the goal you show your kids when they ask what makes the FA Cup special.

Expert Analysis: What Makes These Goals Timeless?

Looking at this list, a pattern emerges. The best FA Cup final goals aren’t always the most powerful or the most acrobatic. They are the ones that capture the emotion of the moment. They are the strikes that turn the tide, silence the doubters, or create a hero from a supporting actor. Whether it’s a thunderous drive from Tielemans or a delicate chip from Cantona, each goal tells a story. The FA Cup is about history, surprise, and individual brilliance. These goals are the chapters of that story.

For future finals, expect more of the same. The modern game is faster, more technical, and more data-driven, but the magic of the cup final remains. The next hero could be a midfielder like Declan Rice or a young star like Bukayo Saka. The stage is set for a new generation of Wembley wonders.

Predictions: Who Will Score the Next Great Final Goal?

Looking ahead to the next FA Cup final, the trends suggest a few candidates. Erling Haaland has the power and precision to produce a moment of brilliance. Phil Foden has the technique to curl one into the top corner. But the real magic often comes from the unexpected. A defender scoring a 30-yard screamer or a midfielder volleying home from a corner is always a possibility. The FA Cup has a way of creating new heroes. My prediction? A 25-yard strike from a player you least expect—someone like Mason Mount or James Maddison—will steal the headlines. The cup final is a stage for the brave, and the brave always shoot.

Conclusion: The FA Cup Final Goal Lives Forever

The debate over the best FA Cup final goal will never end. That’s the beauty of it. Every fan has their own memory, their own hero, their own moment of joy. From Parlour’s curler to Gerrard’s thunderbolt, these goals are woven into the fabric of English football. They are the reason we watch, the reason we cheer, and the reason we argue in pubs for hours. The FA Cup final is a theatre of dreams, and these goals are the standing ovations. So, next time you watch a final, remember: a new hero is just one strike away. And when it happens, you’ll remember it forever. Just don’t ask me what happened a couple of years ago… unless it’s about Paul Rideout in ’95.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.