10 Most Dramatic Late Winners In Domestic English Football

A true FA Cup golden great here in the shape of the so called “five minute final”. The 1979 cup final was fairly mundane for the most part and would have been utterly forgettable had it not sprung to life unexpectedly in order to produce one of the greatest finales that Wembley has ever seen.

Arsenal and Manchester United were both having fairly unremarkable seasons in the 1978/79 campaign, finishing 7th and 9th respectively in the top flight as Liverpool romped home with the title. It was a period where both the Gunners under Terry Neill and United under Dave Sexton were proving to be fairly underwhelming and both sides found themselves in desperate need of a trophy.

With 86 minutes played, Arsenal were just about edging the game; leading United 2-0 and coasting to victory. The game was petering out until Gordon McQueen pulled one back out of nowhere for United, and then soon after Sammy Mcllroy grabbed a wonderful second to seemingly take the game to extra time with 88 minutes now on the clock.

Mcllroy’s goal could easily have made this list in its own right, but unfortunately for him and the United faithful, Arsenal had other ideas. The Gunners weren't deterred and went straight back on the attack. After some neat wing-play down the left, a deep cross found Alan Sunderland lurking at the back post and he made no mistake as he slotted home to reclaim the title for the London side. Three goals in under five minutes. Now that's what you call a grandstand finish.

It may have been the Gunners' only trophy win with Neill at the helm, but it was certainly one that their fans wouldn’t forget in a hurry.