The English FA Cup is an annual domestic cup competition in England. It has been around for over 150 years and is one of the oldest cup tournaments in sporting history. Wanderers from Leytonstone, London won the first-ever edition in 1872.
Brief FA Cup History
The FA Cup was first played in the 1871-72 season and has become a pinnacle event on the UK sporting calendar ever since. The cup attracts interest from all over the world, and the FA Cup final is a very popular game to bet on among punters. The sports betting UK market is huge these days, and there are a variety of FA Cup options available throughout the tournament. Right now, Manchester City are favourites to win this year’s edition at 6/4, while Manchester United are priced at 7/2.
Arsenal the Record Winners
North London club Arsenal are the most successful club in FA Cup history. The Gunners have won the competition on 14 occasions. Their first victory came in 1930 when they beat Huddersfield Town in the final.
Arsenal also hold the record for the most finals, participating in a staggering 21. Their most recent success came in 2020 when they got the better of fellow London side Chelsea in a behind-closed-doors final at Wembley Stadium.
🏆 1930
🏆 1936
🏆 1950
🏆 1971
🏆 1979
🏆 1993
🏆 1998
🏆 2002
🏆 2003
🏆 2005
🏆 2014
🏆 2015
🏆 2017
🏆 2020Always. Forward. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/J7KxYk8J6m
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 1, 2020
Cardiff Hosted Finals From 2001 to 2006
The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, played host to the FA Cup final from 2001 to 2006 while Wembley Stadium was being redeveloped. The Welsh capital was a great host, with the 3-3 draw between Liverpool and West Ham United in 2006 – which was the last final to be played in Cardiff – being one of the most memorable finals to date. The Reds went on to win on penalties to get their hands on the trophy.
Cardiff City Take Cup to Wales
Only once in FA Cup history has the cup been won by a non-English side. Back in 1927, Cardiff City took the trophy to Wales after beating Arsenal in the Wembley final. Cardiff, who ply their trade in the English football league pyramid, also reached the FA Cup final as recently as 2008, losing out to Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth.
“Abide with Me” Becomes FA Cup Final Tradition
1927 was a memorable year for the FA Cup for a couple of reasons. Cardiff won the trophy, and “Abide with Me” was sung before the game. Ever since the song has become a pre-match addition to FA Cup final day.
Didier Drogba the FA Cup Final Goalscoring King
Didier Drogba was one of the best players to ever grace the Premier League. The former Chelsea man had a great career in England, scoring over 150 goals for the Blues.
Two FA Cup winning @ChelseaFC sides, but which would win if they faced off against each other…
or ? #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/KZNk1U5PaE
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 13, 2023
He also loved scoring in FA Cup finals. Drogba holds the record for scoring in the most finals, netting in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012, with the Londoners winning all four. The ex-Ivory Coast international also scored the first goal at the newly-built Wembley Stadium in 2007, with his goal in the 116th minute giving Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United.
