1998 FA Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 1998 FA Cup Final was contested by Arsenal
and Newcastle United
at Wembley. Arsenal won 2–0, with goals by Marc Overmars
and Nicolas Anelka
to complete their second league and cup double.
It was Arsenal's seventh success in the competition - placing them third on the list of clubs with the most FA Cup triumphs, equal with Aston Villa
but behind Tottenham Hotspur
and Manchester United
.
It was Newcastle United's first domestic cup final since the 1976 Football League Cup Final
and first FA Cup Final since 1974
.
Arsenal's success made them only the second English club to win the league championship and FA Cup double twice. Manchester United were the other club to achieve this, having won the double in 1994 and again in 1996. Unlike United, however, Arsenal had achieved this feat with an entirely different set of players.
It was Arsenal's first FA Cup triumph in five years, but six players from the 1993 team featured in this triumph - David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams, non-playing substitute Ian Wright, and Ray Parlour (who had started the original final in 1993, but missed the replay).
It was also the third time Newcastle had faced Arsenal in an FA Cup final, Newcastle winning the previous two in 1932 and 1952.
's first Cup Final at Arsenal. It was a hot sunny day at Wembley and their opponents Newcastle United, were underdogs, having finished in 13th place that season under Kenny Dalglish
. It was the club's first FA Cup Final since 1974.
The game came to life in the 23rd minute, when a perfect through-ball by Ray Parlour
found Marc Overmars
, who resisted the challenge of defender Alessandro Pistone
to prod the ball through the legs of the onrushing goalkeeper Shay Given
and give Arsenal a 1-0 lead.
Early in the second half, Newcastle were given a great chance to equalise when Martin Keown
slipped on the ball. Alan Shearer
pounced on the opportunity but his left-foot shot hit the foot of the post, and rebounded back out. The contest was all over in the 69th minute when another great pass by man of the match Parlour found the teenage striker Nicolas Anelka
. Anelka raced through and slid the ball past Given to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead. Newcastle were left to rue another missed chance when Nikos Dabizas
hit the bar with a header, but it was to be Arsenal's day. Sportingly, the Newcastle fans applauded the Arsenal team as they made their way up the Wembley
steps to collect the trophy.
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
and Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
at Wembley. Arsenal won 2–0, with goals by Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars is a retired Dutch footballer. He is best known as a right-footed left winger, although he is able to use both his feet with equal precision and power...
and Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
to complete their second league and cup double.
It was Arsenal's seventh success in the competition - placing them third on the list of clubs with the most FA Cup triumphs, equal with Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
but behind Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
It was Newcastle United's first domestic cup final since the 1976 Football League Cup Final
1976 Football League Cup Final
The 1976 Football League Cup Final took place between Manchester City and Newcastle United on 28 February 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was the sixteenth final and the tenth Football League Cup final to be played at Wembley. Manchester City won the match 2–1 to win the competition for the second time...
and first FA Cup Final since 1974
1974 FA Cup Final
The 1974 FA Cup Final was contested by Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley. In a one-sided match Liverpool won 3–0, with goals from Kevin Keegan and Steve Heighway...
.
Arsenal's success made them only the second English club to win the league championship and FA Cup double twice. Manchester United were the other club to achieve this, having won the double in 1994 and again in 1996. Unlike United, however, Arsenal had achieved this feat with an entirely different set of players.
It was Arsenal's first FA Cup triumph in five years, but six players from the 1993 team featured in this triumph - David Seaman, Lee Dixon, Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams, non-playing substitute Ian Wright, and Ray Parlour (who had started the original final in 1993, but missed the replay).
It was also the third time Newcastle had faced Arsenal in an FA Cup final, Newcastle winning the previous two in 1932 and 1952.
Match summary
The 1998 FA Cup Final was Arsenal's chance to win the League and FA Cup double for the second time in their history, since their first such achievement in 1971. It was manager, Arsène WengerArsène Wenger
Arsène Wenger, OBE is a French association football manager and former player, who has managed English Premier League side Arsenal since 1996...
's first Cup Final at Arsenal. It was a hot sunny day at Wembley and their opponents Newcastle United, were underdogs, having finished in 13th place that season under Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
. It was the club's first FA Cup Final since 1974.
The game came to life in the 23rd minute, when a perfect through-ball by Ray Parlour
Ray Parlour
Raymond "Ray" Parlour , is a retired English footballer. He spent his career playing for Arsenal, Middlesbrough and Hull City. During his Arsenal career he was nicknamed "The Romford Pelé"; although the nickname was given with an ironic sense of humour, on account of his solid performance but...
found Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars
Marc Overmars is a retired Dutch footballer. He is best known as a right-footed left winger, although he is able to use both his feet with equal precision and power...
, who resisted the challenge of defender Alessandro Pistone
Alessandro Pistone
Alessandro Pistone is a former Italian footballer.-Early career:Pistone started his career at Solbiatese and Crevalcore, two small Italian teams who in recent years have slid to the lowest tier of professional Italian football, before moving to Vicenza for the duration of the 1995–96 season...
to prod the ball through the legs of the onrushing goalkeeper Shay Given
Shay Given
Séamus John James "Shay" Given is an Irish footballer who plays for Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland national team as a goalkeeper. He won the PFA's Player of the Year in 2002....
and give Arsenal a 1-0 lead.
Early in the second half, Newcastle were given a great chance to equalise when Martin Keown
Martin Keown
Martin Raymond Keown is a former English footballer. Widely regarded as one of the best man-markers of his generation, Keown played for six different football clubs during his career but it was with Arsenal that he will be best remembered. Keown made over three hundred appearances for Arsenal...
slipped on the ball. Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer OBE, DL is a retired English footballer. He played as a striker in the top level of English league football for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and for the England national team...
pounced on the opportunity but his left-foot shot hit the foot of the post, and rebounded back out. The contest was all over in the 69th minute when another great pass by man of the match Parlour found the teenage striker Nicolas Anelka
Nicolas Anelka
Abdul-Salam Bilal on 14 March 1979) is a French international footballer, who plays as a striker for English Premier League club Chelsea. Anelka was also a regular starter for the French national team...
. Anelka raced through and slid the ball past Given to give the Gunners a 2-0 lead. Newcastle were left to rue another missed chance when Nikos Dabizas
Nikos Dabizas
Nikolaos "Nikos" Dabizas is a retired Greek professional footballer and former Newcastle United, Leicester City, Olympiacos and Larissa defender . He was also in Greece's 2004 European Football Championship winning squad....
hit the bar with a header, but it was to be Arsenal's day. Sportingly, the Newcastle fans applauded the Arsenal team as they made their way up the Wembley
Wembley
Wembley is an area of northwest London, England, and part of the London Borough of Brent. It is home to the famous Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena...
steps to collect the trophy.
Match details
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