The1979 FA Cup finalwas afootballmatch played on 12 May 1979 atWembley Stadium.The match was contested byArsenalandManchester United.It is regarded as one of the greatest-ever finishes in an FA Cup final.[1][2]For over 85 minutes the game had been unremarkable, with Arsenal taking a 2–0 half time lead through goals fromBrian TalbotandFrank Stapleton.In the 86th minute, however,Gordon McQueenscored following a set-piece, and two minutes laterSammy McIlroydribbled past two Arsenal players to score a dramatic equaliser. With the game poised for extra time, United's celebrations proved short-lived, asAlan Sunderlandscored a last-minute winner, making the final result Arsenal 3–2 Manchester United. This match is often referred to as the "Five-minute Final".

1979 FA Cup final
Match programme cover
Event1978–79 FA Cup
Date12 May 1979
VenueWembley Stadium,London
RefereeRon Challis(Kent)
Attendance99,219
1978
1980

The 1979 FA Cup was the only major trophy that Arsenal won during the seven-year management ofTerry Neill,who was appointed in 1976 after Bertie Mee's retirement. He was dismissed in 1983.

It was also the only cup final that Manchester United reached under the management ofDave Sexton,who had been appointed as manager in 1977 and remained there until 1981 when he was sacked having failed to bring a major trophy to the club.

Match details

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Arsenal3–2Manchester United
Talbot12'
Stapleton43'
Sunderland89'
Report McQueen86'
McIlroy88'
Wembley,London
Attendance: 99,219
Referee:Ron Challis(Kent)
Arsenal
Manchester United
GK 1 Pat Jennings
RB 2 Pat Rice(c)
LB 3 Sammy Nelson
CM 4 Brian Talbot
CB 5 David O'Leary
CB 6 Willie Young
RM 7 Liam Brady
CF 8 Alan Sunderland
CF 9 Frank Stapleton
CM 10 David Price 83'
LM 11 Graham Rix
Substitute:
DF 12 Steve Walford 83'
Manager:
Terry Neill
GK 1 Gary Bailey
RB 2 Jimmy Nicholl
LB 3 Arthur Albiston
CM 4 Sammy McIlroy
CB 5 Gordon McQueen
CB 6 Martin Buchan(c)
RM 7 Steve Coppell
CF 8 Jimmy Greenhoff
CF 9 Joe Jordan
CM 10 Lou Macari
LM 11 Mickey Thomas
Substitute:
DF 12 Brian Greenhoff
Manager:
Dave Sexton

References

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  1. ^"1979 FA Cup Final".BBC Manchester. 13 May 2005.Archivedfrom the original on 30 August 2007.Retrieved5 September2007.
  2. ^"What a finish!".TheFA. 20 May 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 6 September 2008.Retrieved5 September2007.
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