FA Cup: 10 Most Successful Teams in the Competition’s History 4j4oa

The FA Cup, the oldest national cup competition in the world, has crowned 44 winners since its inception in the 1871-72 season. Wanderers Football Club won the first one in 1872, beating Royal Engineers 1-0 in the final at the Kennington Oval. The last one, meanwhile, went to Manchester United, who beat crosstown rivals Manchester City 2-1 at the Wembley Stadium in 2024.

Crystal Palace became the latest FA Cup winners, claiming their maiden major success at Manchester City’s expense (1-0) on Saturday, May 17.

With a new winner crowned, let us take a look at the updated list of the most successful teams in FA Cup history.

#10 West Bromwich Albion: 5 Titles 286e5v

Kicking off the list are West Bromwich Albion, having won the FA Cup five times in their history. West Brom reached 13 finals, losing 8 times.

West Brom clinched their first FA Cup in 1888. They beat Preston North End 2-1 at Hereshire Park. George Woodhall and Jem Bayliss were the goalscorers for West Brom.

West Brom last tasted FA Cup success in 1968. They overcame Everton after 120 minutes of football. Jeffrey Astle scored the only goal of the game in the 93rd minute.

#9 Everton: 5 Titles j5q5o

The Blues of Merseyside, Everton, have played 13 FA Cup finals, lifting the trophy 5 times and settling for the runners-up medal on 8 occasions.

Everton first won the FA Cup in 1906. Alex Young scored in the 77th minute to propel the team to a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at Crystal Palace.

Their last FA Cup success, meanwhile, came in 1995 at Wembley Stadium. Paul Rideout scored in the 30th minute to take his team to a 1-0 win over Manchester United.

#8 Newcastle United: 6 Titles 7o6g

Newcastle United have won the FA Cup six times over the years. They have played 13 finals, losing 7.

The Magpies lifted the FA Cup for the first time in 1910. In the final at Crystal Palace, Newcastle held Barnsley to a 1-1 draw, thanks to John Rutherford’s equaliser in the 83rd minute. In the replay, Newcastle came out on top, with Albert Shepherd winning the game with a timely second-half brace (52′, 62′).

Newcastle’s last FA Cup win came 70 years back, in 1955.  They beat Manchester City 3-1 at Wembley Stadium to take the trophy home. Jackie Millburn (1′), Robert Mitchell (52′), and George Hannah (59′) scored a goal each against the Cityzens.

#7 Aston Villa: 7 Titles 531o30

Aston Villa, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the 2024-25 FA Cup semi-finals, have won the competition seven times in their history. Aston Villa have reached the final 11 times, losing four.

Aston Villa clinched their first FA Cup in 1887. At the Kennington Oval, Archibald Hunter and Dennis Hodgetts scored for Villa to fire them to a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

Their last triumph in the competition came in 1957. The Villans claimed a 2-1 victory over the mighty Manchester United at Wembley Stadium. Peter Marland claimed the Man of the Match award after scoring a decisive brace (68′,73′).

#6 Manchester City: 7 Titles 23o2o

Manchester City, who lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the final on May 17, are the sixth most successful team in FA Cup history. Playing 14 finals, Man City have won 7 and lost 7.

The Mancunians won their first FA Cup in 1904. William Meredith’s 23rd-minute goal was enough to ensure a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Crystal Palace.

Their last success, meanwhile, came at Manchester United’s expense in 2023. Pep Guardiola’s side claimed a 2-1 win, with Ilkay Gundogan scoring on either side (1′, 51′) of Bruno Fernandes’ 33rd-minute penalty.

Also Read: Why is the Crystal Palace vs Man City Clash at 4:30pm?

#5 Tottenham Hotspur: 8 Titles 3h1u5y

Tottenham Hotspur, who are vying to lift the UEFA Europa League this season, have won the FA Cup eight times. The Lilywhites have a brilliant record in the finals, with them losing just once, against Coventry City in 1987, over the years.

Tottenham first won the FA Cup in 1901, beating Sheffield United after a replay. Spurs played out a 2-2 draw with Sheffield at Crystal Palace, with Alexander Brown scoring both of their goals. In the replay at Burnden Park, Bolton, Spurs came from behind to seal a 3-1 win. John Cameron, Tom Smith, and Brown scored a goal each for the north London club.

Spurs’ last FA Cup success came 34 years ago, in 1991. In extra time, Tottenham claimed a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium. Paul Stewart (55′) equalised for Tottenham before Nottingham defender Des Walker scored an own goal (94′) to seal a 2-1 victory.

#4 Liverpool: 8 Titles 124pt

Premier League 2024-25 winners Liverpool have participated in 15 FA Cup finals, coming out on top on 8 occasions and losing 7 times.

The 20-time English champions won their first FA Cup in 1965, beating rivals Leeds United 2-1 in the final at Wembley Stadium. After a goalless 90, the game came alive in extra time. Roger Hunt scored the first one for Liverpool in the 93rd minute, but William Bremmer cancelled it out with his 100th-minute effort. Then, in the 117th minute, Ian St John scored the decisive goal, sealing the Merseysiders’ first Cup triumph.

Liverpool’s last FA Cup success came at the end of the 2021-22 season. They played out a drab goalless draw with Chelsea over 120 minutes before beating them 6-5 on penalties.

Also Read: Will Rodri Be Back for the FA Cup Final as Man City Star Returns to Training?

#3 Chelsea: 8 Titles 6br11

West London powerhouse Chelsea are third on the list, having won the FA Cup eight times in their history. The Blues have a 50 per cent win rate in the FA Cup finals, having reached the main event 16 times.

Chelsea won their first FA Cup in 1970. They faced Leeds United in the final at Wembley Stadium. The two clubs traded blows over 120 minutes, finishing 2-2. Peter Houseman (41′) and Ian Hutchinson (86′) equalised twice for the Pensioners in the 2-2 draw.

The FA Cup final replay — the first one since 1912 — took place at Old Trafford. The two teams were deadlocked at 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes, triggering another age of extra time. In the 104th minute, David Webb scored the winning goal, securing Chelsea’s first FA Cup.

#2 Manchester United: 13 Titles 2s6a1i

Twenty-time English champions Manchester United have 13 FA Cups in their illustrious trophy cabinet. They have played 22 finals in total, losing 9.

The Red Devils took home their first FA Cup in 1909. They beat Bristol City 1-0 to secure their first Cup success. Sandy Turnbull scored the only goal of the game in the 22nd minute at Crystal Palace’s home ground.

The Mancunians, of course, won their 13th FA Cup at the end of the 2023-24 season, beating local rivals Manchester City in the final at Wembley Stadium. Alejandro Garnacho (30′) and Kobbie Mainoo (39′) scored in the 2-1 victory. It was Erik ten Hag’s last happy memory at Man Utd.

#1 Arsenal: 14 Titles 1k6k47

At the summit sit Arsenal, having won the FA Cup title a whopping 14 times over the years. The Gunners have reached the final 21 times, winning 14 and losing 7.

Arsenal’s first FA Cup triumph came at the end of the 1929-30 season. They beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 at the original Wembley Stadium to take home their first FA Cup. Alexander James (16′) and John Lambert (88′) scored one goal each to fire the Londoners to glory.

Their last FA Cup triumph, meanwhile, came in 2020. They claimed a slender 2-1 win over London rivals Chelsea at Wembley Stadium, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring a brace (28′, 67′) to cancel out Christian Pulisic’s fifth-minute opener.