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FA Cup Winners, 1972: Leeds United Beat Arsenal at Wembley
Leeds United won the FA Cup for the first time in 1972, beating holders Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley through Allan Clarke's famous winning goal.
The FA Cup finally comes to Leeds
For all the achievements of Don Revie's great Leeds United side, the FA Cup had remained elusive. Leeds had lost the 1970 final to Chelsea after a replay and had repeatedly come close to major honours. In 1972, the wait ended.
The road to Wembley
Leeds opened their FA Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Bristol Rovers. They then overcame Liverpool after a goalless draw at Anfield and a 2-0 replay at Elland Road. Cardiff City were beaten 2-0 away, Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Elland Road and Birmingham City 3-0 in the semi-final at Hillsborough.
The Wembley final
The final on 6 May 1972 was the centenary final and attracted 100,000 people to Wembley. Arsenal were the holders and had won the league and FA Cup double the previous season. Leeds had the chance to complete the domestic set of major trophies under Revie. In the 53rd minute Allan Clarke scored the only goal, heading Leeds into FA Cup history.
The men behind the triumph
Clarke was the decisive scorer, but the victory depended on the entire Revie side. Billy Bremner led the team, while Jack Charlton, Norman Hunter and Paul Reaney provided defensive authority. Johnny Giles, Paul Madeley, Eddie Gray and Peter Lorimer supplied control and attacking quality. Mick Jones and Clarke formed a dangerous forward partnership.
A defining Leeds United moment
The 1972 FA Cup was Leeds United's first FA Cup triumph. It also completed the domestic major trophy set for Revie and many of his players, adding the FA Cup to the League Cup, First Division title and Inter-Cities Fairs Cup already won during the era.