FA Cup Finals That Were Made Famous by One Player

The FA Cup final is the showpiece match that takes place at the end of the English football season. It's a game that has given fans some unforgettable moments over the years, and most of these moments were made by individuals raising their game on the grandest stage of them all.

Here is a look at some of those FA Cup Finals that were made famous by one player.

The Matthews Final - 1953

We're starting off these magical FA Cup final moments with the Wizard of the Dribble - the mighty Stanley Matthews.

It's often referred to the most memorable FA Cup final of all time, and it took place over six decades ago. The match pitted Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers against one another, and Blackpool would come out victorious thanks to a hat-trick from Stan Mortensen.

So, why is it called the 'Matthews Final' and not the Mortensen Final?

Well let's just say this wasn't Matthews first rodeo. He had lost in two previous FA Cup finals and at then 38 years old, it was looking like this was going to be his last opportunity to lift the trophy.

The Tangerines found themselves 3-1 down in the second half, but Matthews rallied his troops and sparked an incredible comeback. The Wizard of the Dribble assisted Mortensen to make the game 3-2 and quickly won the free-kick that resulted in Mortensen completing his hat-trick and tying the game at 3-3.

Extra time was beckoning and Matthews took the plunge down the right flank for one last time, he put in an inviting cross and set up Bill Perry to complete the ultimate FA Cup comeback.

The Trautmann Final - 1956

Putting your neck on the line for your team is one thing but literally breaking your neck for them is another. And that's exactly what Manchester City keeper Bert Trautmann did in the 1956 FA Cup final after colliding with Birmingham striker Peter Murphy.

Subs were not allowed at the time so Trautmann rose to his feet and remained on the pitch. City were 3-1 up but Birmingham were hugely dominant and peppered Trautmann with shot after shot.

The German keeper made crucial saves and kept Birmingham at bay, to lift the cup with City.

The Astle Final - 1968

Jeff Astle is a Baggies legend, so much of a legend that a mural of his face is the first thing that will greet you when you arrive at The Hawthorns.

But why is he on the list? Well, scoring a 93rd minute winning goal is one thing, but doing it in a FA Cup final is another. The 1968 FA Cup final saw West Brom go toe-to-toe with Everton in a fiercely competitive final.

Astle provided the much needed calmness and slotted in a stoppage-time winner to give his team the FA Cup.

The Sunderland Final - 1979

Sorry Sunderland fans it's actually 'the Alan Sunderland final' you can go back to watching Netflix now. This one is on the list because it's the most dramatic ending you'll ever see in a final.

It was all going so well for Arsenal who found themselves 2-0 up against Manchester United in the 1979 FA Cup final. But in typical Gunners fashion they lost the lead - Gordon McQueen scored for United in the 86th minute and then Sammy McIlroy netted in the 89th to make the game level at 2-2.

Extra-time looked to be the only way to settle this tense final, but Sunderland had other ideas as he managed to convert Graham Rix's cross and seal the victory for Arsenal in the most dramatic of fashions.

The Villa Final - 1981

Of course have Ricky Villa is on this list.

Tottenham faced Manchester City in the 100th FA Cup final which ended in a 1-1 draw, so both clubs would have to play again in a replay that would take place just five days later. The Argentinian striker was in fine form and opened the scoring early on in the first half, but City would come back to draw the game level a 2-2 going into the final minutes of the game.

Then Villa picked up the ball in the City half and made his journey forward, twisting and turning away from two defenders. The striker found his way into the box and slotted the ball past Joe Corrigan to bring the FA Cup to north London.

The Wright Final - 1990

It was a case of the right place and the Wright time as Crystal Palace took Manchester United to the brink in the 1990 edition of the FA Cup.

United found themselves 2-1 up after the hour mark, so Palace needed a hero - step forward Ian Wright. The Eagles manager Steve Coppell called on Wright from the bench, and the striker made an immediate impact.

Wright found himself in the United box and slotted past an unsuspecting Jim Leighton sending the game to extra-time. The keeper was caught out once again as Wright managed to volley a cross into the net and give Palace a 3-2 lead.

But Mark Hughes stopped the Palace party and made the game 3-3 before the final whistle. The game would go to a replay which Man Utd would win 1-0.

The Owen Final - 2001

Although the latter years of his career were ravaged by injury, it was magical to witness the rise of Michael Owen in the late 90s and early 2000s, and he showed his clutch in the 2001 FA Cup final.

In the Millennium Stadium Liverpool faced Arsenal in a mouth-watering encounter as Swedish midfielder Freddie Ljungberg put the Gunners 1-0 up with a 72nd-minute strike. It was looking like a deserved Arsenal victory, but Owen had other ideas.

Owen got on the end of a Liverpool free-kick in the 83rd minute and tied the game at 1-1. But, the English striker wasn't finished just yet, and chased after a Patrik Berger ball to give his team the lead and the 2001 FA Cup.

The Gerrarddd! Final - 2006

14 years ago today Liverpool broke West Ham hearts by pretty much stealing the FA Cup from them.

West Ham found themselves 2-0 up and they were in dreamland as it looked like the FA Cup was heading their way, but goals from Djibril Cisse and Gerrard had the game level at 2-2. Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina's lousy day continued as he watched a Paul Konchesky cross sail over him and into the net.

This was it. West Ham were going to win the FA Cup...and they probably would have if it wasn't for the magic of Stevie G. In the final seconds of the game, Gerrard stepped up and volleyed the ball home from fully 30 yards out. The game would go to penalties, and Liverpool would win.