1979 FA Cup final
Match programme cover
Event1978–79 FA Cup
Date12 May 1979
VenueWembley Stadium, London
RefereeRon Challis (Kent)
Attendance99,219

The 1979 FA Cup final was a football match played on 12 May 1979 at Wembley Stadium. The match was contested by Arsenal and Manchester United. It is regarded as one of the greatest-ever finishes in an FA Cup final.[1][2] For over 85 minutes the game had been unremarkable, with Arsenal taking a 2–0 half time lead through goals from Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton. In the 86th minute, however, Gordon McQueen scored following a set-piece, and two minutes later Sammy McIlroy dribbled past two Arsenal players to score a dramatic equaliser. With the game poised for extra time, United's celebrations proved short-lived, as Alan Sunderland scored a last-minute winner, making the final result Arsenal 3–2 Manchester United. This match is often referred to as the "Five-minute Final".

The 1979 FA Cup was the only major trophy that Arsenal won during the seven-year management of Terry Neill, who was appointed in 1976 after Bertie Mee's retirement. He was dismissed in 1983.

It was also the only cup final that Manchester United reached under the management of Dave Sexton, who had been appointed as manager in 1977 and remained there until 1981 when he was sacked having failed to bring a major trophy to the club.

Match details

Arsenal3–2Manchester United
Talbot 12'
Stapleton 43'
Sunderland 89'
Report McQueen 86'
McIlroy 88'
Wembley, London
Attendance: 99,219
Referee: Ron Challis (Kent)
Arsenal
Manchester United
GK1Northern Ireland Pat Jennings
RB2Northern Ireland Pat Rice (c)
LB3Northern Ireland Sammy Nelson
CM4England Brian Talbot
CB5Republic of Ireland David O'Leary
CB6Scotland Willie Young
RM7Republic of Ireland Liam Brady
CF8England Alan Sunderland
CF9Republic of Ireland Frank Stapleton
CM10England David Pricedownward-facing red arrow 83'
LM11England Graham Rix
Substitute:
DF12England Steve Walfordupward-facing green arrow 83'
Manager:
Northern Ireland Terry Neill
GK1England Gary Bailey
RB2Northern Ireland Jimmy Nicholl
LB3Scotland Arthur Albiston
CM4Northern Ireland Sammy McIlroy
CB5Scotland Gordon McQueen
CB6Scotland Martin Buchan (c)
RM7England Steve Coppell
CF8England Jimmy Greenhoff
CF9Scotland Joe Jordan
CM10Scotland Lou Macari
LM11Wales Mickey Thomas
Substitute:
DF12England Brian Greenhoff
Manager:
England Dave Sexton

References

  1. "1979 FA Cup Final". BBC Manchester. 13 May 2005. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
  2. "What a finish!". TheFA.com. 20 May 2005. Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2007.
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