1993 FA Cup Final

The 1993 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley. The original match, played on 15 May 1993 finished 1–1, with Arsenal winning the replay on 20 May; 2–1 after extra-time.

Arsenal led both matches at half-time, through an Ian Wright goal on each occasion. Wednesday were to equalise both times; David Hirst scoring in the first match and Chris Waddle in the replay. Andy Linighan, who had suffered a broken nose from Mark Bright during the game, scored the winner late in extra-time.

Firsts and lasts

The matches were notable for several reasons; uniquely, the two clubs had already contested the season's League Cup Final, a match which Arsenal had won 2–1. It was also dubbed the 'longest' FA Cup final. It had not only gone to extra-time in the replay - a match which was delayed by thirty minutes - but was just one minute away from the first ever FA Cup final penalty shoot-out. It was also the last ever FA Cup final to go to a replay; from 1999 onwards, it was decided that all FA Cup finals would be decided on the day.

This was the first FA Cup final in which squad numbers had been used, having been trialled in the League Cup final. Players from both clubs retained the same numbers for the three matches. The system was fully adopted by the Premier League for the following season.

Steve Morrow became the first player to receive a winner's medal "before" a cup final. He had scored the winning goal in the League Cup final, but suffered a broken arm in celebrations afterwards, and missed the subsequent presentation.

For Arsenal, David O'Leary played his last two official matches after joining the club as an apprentice in 1973. His testimonial took place between the final and the replay, on 17 May 1993. During extra-time in the replay Alan Smith received the only yellow card of his professional career. For Wednesday, John Harkes became the first American to play in an FA Cup final.

In league matches between the two clubs that season, Arsenal won the 29 August 1992 fixture 2–1 at home, whilst Wednesday won their home fixture, on 6 May 1993, by a 1–0 scoreline.

Match details

footballbox
date=1993-05-15
15:00 BST
team1=Arsenal
score=1 – 1(a.e.t.)
team2=Sheffield Wednesday
report= [http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1993.htm (Report)]
goals1=Wright goal|20
goals2=Hirst goal|61
stadium=Wembley, London
attendance=79,347
referee=Keren Barratt

valign="top" width="50%"

External links

* [http://www.sportingchronicle.com/FACUP/1993.html Line-ups]