Top five biggest underdogs to win the FA Cup

These teams have defied expectations to rise to the top.

The FA Cup is the oldest national football competition in the world. The tournament has a long and rich history in England’s football culture. Every club in the country’s football system is eligible for the competition. This has produced several David & Goliath stories over the years. Teams from lower leagues have challenged and on many occasions, beaten the giants of English football. This has resulted in many underdogs winning the FA Cup.

Upsets often happen in any sport. But, only once in a while does an underdog go all the way. This is when a lower-ranked side defies the norm to become a deserved and unexpected champion. Several teams have managed to produce shock results in the FA Cup. But, these teams have gone on a Cinderella run and won the championship.

Let’s have a look at the five biggest underdogs to win the FA Cup.

5. West Ham United (1980)

The London club are a staple in the Premier League. But, their last major success in the FA Cup came as a second division side. They had been relegated from the first tier two years earlier. The Hammers defeated multiple first division sides en route to the final.

West Ham faced Arsenal in the summit clash. The Gunners were the defending champions and playing their third straight FA Cup final. But, the Hammers defied expectations and defeated their London rivals 1-0.

West Ham were the eighth second division side to win the FA Cup. This was also the last time a Championship team won the competition.

4. Southampton (1976)

This is the only FA Cup triumph in the club’s long history. The Saints finished sixth in the second division that season, but defied expectations in the cup competition. They had defeated Aston Villa and Crystal Palace among others on route to Wembley.

Southampton faced Manchester United in the final. The Red Devils were the favourites, as they challenged for the first division title that year. But, the Saints produced a big upset. Bobby Strokes scored late to hand the Hampshire club their first major title.

3. Tottenham Hotspur (1901)

Spurs are one of the most successful teams in FA Cup history. The North Londoners have won the competition eight times. Their last success came in 1991. But, Tottenham’s campaign in 1901 is one for the history books.

Only eight teams outside the first division have won the competition. Spurs in 1901 were one of the biggest underdogs to win the FA Cup. At the time, they were a semi-professional club. They defeated Sheffield United 3-1 in a replay to become champions.

Tottenham remain the only non-league team to win the FA Cup since its creation in 1871.

2. Wimbledon (1988)

Liverpool were giants in the 1980s. The Reds dominated domestic and European competitions equally. But, Wimbledon managed to upset them in the 1988 FA Cup final.

The Merseyside club had won the league and entered the tie as favourites. Meanwhile, Wimbledon finished seventh in the league that year. The Dons had only entered the league system a decade prior.

Wimbledon defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the summit clash. Peter Beardsley had a legitimate goal disallowed. Then Dave Beasant became the first goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup final, as the Dons won a controversial finale.

1. Wigan Athletic (2013)

This is one of the biggest underdog wins in FA Cup history. Wigan had a disappointing league campaign. They were relegated to the second tier prior to the final clash, but produced a shock in the season closer.

Roberto Martinez’s team defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the final. The Cityzens had won the league the previous year and boasted superstars such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Vincent Kompany. Not many gave Wigan a chance, but they defied expectations to win their first major title.

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