1973 FA Cup Final

Event

FA Cup 1972–73

Sunderland	Leeds United

1	0

Date

5 May 1973

Venue

Wembley Stadium, London

Referee

Ken Burns

Attendance

100,000

← 1972

1974 →

The 1973 FA Cup Final was the 92nd final of the FA Cup. It took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium (celebrating its 50th anniversary in this year) and was contested between Leeds United, the previous season's winners and one of the dominant teams in English football at the time, and Sunderland, then playing in the Second Division.

In one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition, Sunderland won 1–0 to become the first Second Division side to lift the Cup since West Bromwich Albion in 1931. It remains Sunderland's only major trophy since World War II. Sunderland's team were the only FA Cup winners of the 20th century not to field any full internationals, although some of their players were capped later.

Leeds United
Home teams listed first. Round 3: Norwich City 1–1 Leeds United

Round 4: Leeds United 2–1 Plymouth Argyle

Round 5: Leeds United 2–0 WBA

Quarter-Final: Derby County 0–1 Leeds United

Semi-Final: Leeds United 1–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sunderland
Home teams listed first. Round 3: Notts County 1–1 Sunderland

Round 4: Sunderland 1–1 Reading

Round 5: Manchester City 2–2 Sunderland

Quarter-Final: Sunderland 2–0 Luton Town

Semi-Final: Sunderland 2–1 Arsenal

Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick-off and refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents (who had earned the nickname 'Dirty' Leeds due to their aggressive style), tackling fiercely and defiantly with an unremitting determination. Leeds looked anxious, lacking their usual composure. The match itself was decided by two crucial moments that would be talked about for years to come.

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