THE LIST: The greatest finals in the history of Wembley Stadium
27 May 2009 01:12
As part of our build-up to the FA Cup final between Everton and Chelsea on Saturday, Sportsmail brings you the greatest ever Wembley matches.
Our team of experts have picked their favourites from major competitions including World Cup finals, European tournaments, the League Cup, the FA Vase and Football League Trophy.
Play-off finals and the Charity Shield were not included as they are one-off events and not full-blown knock-out competitions.
But do you agree with our panel's choices? Let us know by leaving your comments below.
SPORTSMAIL'S GREATEST EVER WEMBLEY FINALS Nos 40-31
40 Germany 2 Czech Republic 1 (Euro 96)
Despite the dreams of England fans, the tournament when football came home was won by a familiar foe.
Oliver Bierhoff's extra-time winner for Germany squirmed through the fingers of Czech keeper Petr Kouba and gave the world its first championship-winning Golden Goal.
39 Liverpool 3 Everton 1 (1986 FA Cup)
Two strikes by Ian Rush secured the double for Liverpool, as Everton finished runners-up in both the League and Cup.
In the process the Reds became the first club to field a side in the FA Cup Final containing not one Englishman.
38 Chelsea 5 Manchester City 4 (1986 Full Members Cup)
In the final of the Cup devised to make up for the ban on English clubs in European competition, Chelsea lead 5-1 courtesy of David Speedie’s hat-trick and a brace by Colin Lee. But City score three times in the last five minutes to give the Blues an almighty scare.
37 West Bromwich Albion 3 Preston 2 (1954 FA Cup)
A Preston side featuring Tom Finney and Tommy Docherty seemed destined to win the Cup but two goals from Tommy Allen and a late winner by Frank Griffin sealed a dramatic victory for West Brom.
36 Manchester United 4 Blackpool 2 (1948 FA Cup)
Matt Busby's United appeared in the club's first FA Cup final in 39 years, but by no means their last, and won through two goals from Jack Rowley and one apiece from Stan Pearson and John Anderson. The legendary Stan Mortensen scored for a Blackpool team also boasting Stanley Matthews.
35 Guiseley 4 Gresley Rovers 4 (1991 FA Vase)
Guiseley stormed into a three-goal lead after just half an hour but Gresley pulled it back and equalised in stoppage time, before grabbing the lead in extra-time. This time Guiseley equalised in dramatic fashion and went on to take the replay at Bramall Lane.
34 Preston 2 West Ham 3 (1964 FA Cup)
Geoff Hurst gave a sneak preview to the Wembley crowd of another famous match two years later as he netted twice for West Ham. Ron Boyce bagged the winner deep in injury time, while Preston's Howard Kendall played aged just 17 years 345 days.
33 Newcastle 3 Manchester City 1 (1955 FA Cup)
When Jackie Milburn put the Magpies on their way to glory with a strike after just 45 seconds - a record until 1997 - who would have thought that this would be the last trophy Newcastle would win for 54 years, and counting?
32 Arsenal 1 Swindon Town 3 (1969 League Cup)
Third division Swindon were on the verge of one of the great upsets but Bobby Gould equalised for the Gunners in the 86th minute. Arsenal were a spent force in extra time and two Don Rogers goals sealed victory.
31 Manchester United 2 Brighton 2 (1983 FA Cup)
Gary Stevens equalised for Brighton with just three minutes left but the game will be forever remembered for United keeper Gary Bailey's late save from Gordon Smith, which followed the immortal line from a radio commentator: 'And Smith must score.'
