1976 FA Cup Final


The 1976 FA Cup Final was the 95th final of the FA Cup. It took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium and was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.
United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division, Southampton had players with FA Cup Final experience more than Manchester United, Peter Rodrigues, Peter Osgood and Jim McCalliog. In one of the biggest shocks in the history of the final, Southampton won 1–0 through an 83rd-minute goal from Bobby Stokes. It was the first time Southampton won a major trophy, and the last time that the Queen attended a final and presented the trophy to the winners.

Road to Wembley

Manchester United

Home teams listed first.
Round 3: Manchester United 2–1 Oxford United
Round 4: Manchester United 3–1 Peterborough United
Round 5: Leicester City 1–2 Manchester United
Round 6: Manchester United 1–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Semi-final: Manchester United 2–0 Derby County

Southampton

Home teams listed first.
Round 3: Southampton 1–1 Aston Villa
Round 4: Southampton 3–1 Blackpool
Round 5: West Bromwich Albion 1–1 Southampton
Round 6: Bradford City 0–1 Southampton
Semi-final: Southampton 2–0 Crystal Palace

Match summary

Manchester United started stronger, and missed several early goalscoring opportunities, with Southampton goalkeeper Ian Turner making a series of impressive saves to deny Gerry Daly and Gordon Hill. Southampton in turn began to create chances; Mick Channon was put through on goal before being denied by goalkeeper Alex Stepney. As extra time loomed, Southampton's Bobby Stokes received Jim McCalliog's pass and slotted the ball across Stepney and into the far corner to score a late winner and with it his side's first major trophy.

Match details

In popular culture

immortalised the match in his song Cup Final 1976.

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