There’s nothing quite like the buzz of heading down Olympic Way to the iconic Wembley Stadium on FA Cup final day.
The magic of the FA Cup, England’s premier knockout competition, is still alive and the tournament has witnessed many captivating moments and underdog stories in recent years.
Every supporter dreams of their team lifting the lucrative silverware come the end of the season, but some fans have been luckier than others in the last five years.
That said, let’s take a closer look at the last five winners who etched their names into football history by reigning triumphant.
Manchester City – 2022-23
In the 2022-23 season, Manchester City, the FA Cup betting favourites under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola, accomplished a historic treble — clinching their seventh FA Cup along the way.
The Sky Blues, with the help of a double from midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, sealed their triumph with a thrilling 2-1 victory over cross-city rivals Manchester United in the final at Wembley. The road to glory included victories over Chelsea (4-0), Arsenal (1-0), Bristol City (3-0), Burnley (6-0), and Sheffield United (3-0).
Liverpool – 2021-22
Liverpool secured their eighth FA Cup in the 2021-22 season with a hard-fought victory over Chelsea. In a lacklustre final that saw no goals in 120 minutes, the Reds emerged triumphant in a penalty shootout.
The journey to the final included triumphs over Shrewsbury Town (4-1), Cardiff City (3-1), Norwich City (2-1), Nottingham Forest (1-0), and Manchester City (3-2).
Leicester City – 2020-21
Leicester City’s fairytale continued in the 2020-21 season as they clinched their first FA Cup with a stunning 1-0 victory over Chelsea. Youri Tieleman’s unforgettable long-distance strike secured the unlikely win, though only 20,000 fans were present at Wembley due to pandemic restrictions.
Brendan Rodgers’ side showcased resilience and skill in overcoming Stoke City (4-0), Brentford (3-1), Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0), Manchester United (3-1), and Southampton (1-0) on their journey to lifting the trophy.
Arsenal – 2019-20
In the 2019-20 campaign, Arsenal added to their rich FA Cup history by securing a record-extending 14th triumph.
Mikel Arteta’s side overcame their London rivals Chelsea in a behind-closed-doors final, coming from a goal down after Christian Pulisic gave the Blues the lead to win 2-1 thanks to a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners’ journey included victories against Leeds United (3-1), Bournemouth (4-0), Portsmouth (6-2), Sheffield United (4-2), and Manchester City (1-0).
Manchester City – 2018-19
Manchester City capped off the 2018-19 season by securing a domestic treble with a resounding 6-0 victory over Watford in the FA Cup final. This memorable triumph, matching Bury’s record 6-0 win over Derby County in 1903, showcased City’s dominance of English football.
Their journey to the final saw them dispatch Rotherham United (7-0), Burnley (5-0), Newport County (4-1), Swansea City (3-2), and Brighton & Hove Albion (1-0).
As we reflect on these recent FA Cup triumphs, each team’s unique journey and memorable
moments contribute to the rich tapestry of football history. The FA Cup continues to be a stage where underdogs can become heroes, and where footballing giants further solidify their legacy.
