Manchester City entered the FA Cup as favorites in the football odds this season, with their star-studded squad chasing a second title in three years and redemption for last year’s shock defeat to Manchester United.
That loss—a rare stumble in an era of domestic dominance—still lingers, adding an edge to their pursuit of silverware this season given the FA Cup odds and that the Premier League is out of reach.
But the FA Cup remains football’s great leveler. It’s a competition where reputations count for little, and belief can overturn the odds. History reminds us that no final is ever a foregone conclusion.
At this stage, underdogs have so often become legends. From second-tier triumphs to last-minute winners, the Cup’s greatest moments belong to those who dared to defy expectation.
As another final approach, it’s worth remembering: in the FA Cup, anything is still possible. Here are some iconic sides that won as underdogs.
Table of Contents
1976: Southampton 1–0 Manchester United
Second Division Southampton’s triumph against Tommy Docherty’s star-studded Manchester United side was built on the tactical acumen of Lawrie McMenemy and the unwavering belief of a squad operating well below their opponents’ status.
The Saints had endured a disappointing league campaign but transformed for their cup run, displaying remarkable resilience.
Bobby Stokes, a local hero, wrote himself into Southampton folklore with his precisely placed 83rd-minute strike past Alex Stepney.
The Saints defended heroically in the final minutes, holding firm against United‘s desperate attacks to secure the club’s first – and still only – major trophy, sparking celebrations that engulfed the south coast and created memories that still resonate nearly five decades later.
1980: West Ham United 1–0 Arsenal
John Lyall’s Second Division West Ham were clear underdogs against a star-studded Arsenal side in the 1980 FA Cup final. But the Hammers delivered a disciplined, determined performance, sealed by a rare headed goal from the elegant Trevor Brooking.
His 13th-minute strike proved decisive, and West Ham held firm to claim a famous 1–0 win. Brooking’s goal became a symbol of football’s unpredictability, and the Hammers remain the last team from outside the top flight to lift the trophy—a feat that grows more extraordinary with time.
1987: Coventry City 3–2 Tottenham Hotspur
Coventry’s 3–2 win over Spurs in the 1987 FA Cup final marked the peak of a remarkable journey under John Sillett. Tottenham, packed with stars like Hoddle, Waddle, and 49-goal striker Clive Allen, were heavy favorites.
But Coventry twice came from behind—Dave Bennett and Keith Houchen, with a diving header for the ages—before Lloyd McGrath’s extra-time cross deflected off Gary Mabbutt for the winner. It remains the Sky Blues’ only major trophy, earned through a perfect mix of resilience, belief, and tactical nous.
1988: Wimbledon 1–0 Liverpool
The story of Wimbledon’s triumph against Liverpool’s imperious side represents perhaps football’s greatest modern fairy tale. The “Crazy Gang” – a collection of cast-offs and misfits who had risen from non-league to the top flight in just nine whirlwind years – faced a Liverpool team that had dominated English football with ruthless efficiency.
Vinnie Jones embodied Wimbledon’s fearless spirit, while Lawrie Sanchez’s looping header gave them an improbable lead they protected with desperate determination. When Liverpool were awarded a penalty, Dave Beasant etched his name into football immortality by becoming the first goalkeeper to save a spot-kick in an FA Cup final, denying John Aldridge and completing a victory that defied all logical football prediction.
2013: Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City
Roberto Martínez’s Wigan arrived at Wembley carrying the weight of an imminent relegation battle, facing a Manchester City side assembled at an astronomical cost under Roberto Mancini.
The contrast couldn’t have been starker – one club fighting for Premier League survival, the other disappointed not to be challenging for the title.
The Latics put together a performance that transcended their league position, matching City’s technical quality with tactical discipline and fearless intent.
Ben Watson’s 91st-minute header from a corner sparked scenes of disbelief, delivering the club their first major trophy in 81 years of existence. Just three days later, they were relegated – creating the bittersweet distinction of being the only club to win the FA Cup and suffer relegation in the same week.
