The most brutal football match in history, Ryan Giggs’ shirtless celebration and THAT Ronnie Radford screamer… the 10 greatest FA Cup replays of all-time

They’ve given us drama, agony, fairytales and often pure chaos, but FA Cup replays will be no longer after the world’s oldest knockout competition received a major shake-up on Thursday.

Following an agreement between the FA and the Premier League, it was announced that replays will be scrapped from next season in what is a major blow to football purists.

We’ve already seen replays scratched away over recent years, with them no longer taking place from the fifth round onwards ever since the 2018-19 campaign.

Yet, they’ve regularly provided a lifeline for lower league clubs, while replays have also given us some of the most memorable moments the game has ever seen.

In light of Thursday’s announcement, Mail Sport takes a look at the top 10 FA Cup replays of all-time. 

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10 – Barnsley 3-2 Man United, 1998

The true magic of the FA Cup is that no matter the pedigree, form, or league of a club, anything can happen across 90 minutes and that was the case in February 1998.

Barnsley, in the midst of their sole and ultimately miserable Premier League campaign, managed to shock a Man United team that would go onto complete the Treble 15 months later.

Following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, a strong United team just couldn’t cope with a vociferous Oakwell crowd, with the lesser-spotted Scott Jones, only playing for the hosts due to a major injury crisis, scoring a memorable brace to write himself into club folklore. 

Sir Alex Ferguson was magnanimous in defeat as his side – which included Peter Schmeichel, David Beckham and Andy Cole – were overwhelmed by Barnsley as he hailed their supporters as ‘being like a 12th man’ 

9 – Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Arsenal – 1979 

Back in the days where replays had no limit, Sheffield Wednesday and Arsenal played against each other in five matches, before this third round tie in 1979 was finally settled. 

Then-Third Division Wednesday held First Division Arsenal to 1-1, 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3 draws, with the clash finally settled via a 2-0 victory to the Gunners.

Each game was memorable for several reasons, but iconic footage of the original game is best remembered for Arsenal goalkeeper Pat Jennings being subjected to a barrage of snowballs from supporters in treacherous conditions at Hillsborough. 

8 – Tranmere 4-3 Southampton – 2001 

John Aldridge is best known for his legendary goalscoring exploits for Liverpool and the Republic of Ireland, but his only managerial role at Tranmere Rovers – where he ended his playing career with 138 goals in 243 games – was similarly filled with achievements.

The Wirral-based side developed a knack of causing cup upsets, reaching the League Cup final in 2000, while they made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals in two successive years despite playing in the second tier at the time.

But, in February 2001, Aldridge’s side found themselves 3-0 down at half-time to Glen Hoddle’s Southampton and it could have been worse, with the Saints missing a series of gilt-edged chances.

However, Aldridge rallied his troops and Tranmere completed a stunning comeback against the Premier League side as four second half goals took them to the next round where they faced Liverpool in a money-spinning tie.

7 – Tottenham 3-4 Man City – 2004 

We’ve not been short of epic FA Cup comebacks down the years and this fourth round replay had it all.

Tottenham raced into a 3-0 lead and when Man City’s Joey Barton was sent off for his behaviour at half-time, it seemed as if Spurs would canter to victory.

However, an almost improbable fight back, which included a last-gasp winner from John Mackem after goals from Sylvain Distin, Paul Bosvelt and Shaun Wright-Phillips, left Kevin Keegan ‘speechless’ as his side bounded into the fifth round.

6 – Chelsea 2-1 Leeds – 1970

A game that has gone down in folklore, Chelsea’s FA Cup final replay against Leeds in 1970 remains the most-watched club game in English television history.

But it wasn’t the football that made this contest so spectacular, but the fact the game was full of stamps, punches and even kung-fu kicks, yet referee Eric Jennings – who would never officiate again – handed out just one yellow card.

The bloodthirsty encounter at Old Trafford is the third most-watched sporting event in UK television history, with the Blues winning 2-1 thanks to David Webb’s extra-time goal.

A clash that has been dubbed ‘the most brutal game in English football history’ will forever be remembered.

5. Everton 4-4 Liverpool  – 1991

This eight-goal thriller had everything and it is no surprise many feel this is the greatest Merseyside derby of all-time.

Liverpool were in their pomp under Kenny Dalglish and went ahead four times, yet on each occasion they were pegged back by a relentless Everton team thanks to two goals from Tony Cottee and Graeme Sharp. 

Cottee later admitted that he thought ‘the roof was going to come off Goodison Park’ such was the atmosphere, but the game was most remembered for Dalglish announcing his resignation as Reds boss just two days later.

Liverpool were top of the league at the time and his decision sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with Everton going onto win the second replay 1-0. 

4. West Ham 2-2 (9-8 on pens) Everton – 2015

A see-saw third round clash that remains one of the last great memories at Upton Park for West Ham fans, the Hammers narrowly edged out Everton.

Following a pulsating 2-2 draw, the game is most remembered for West Ham keeper Adrian netting the winning penalty after taking his gloves off and throwing them away as he ran up to take his kick.

After 210 minutes of action, it took 20 penalties – including one from both keepers – to separate the two sides in what was a true FA Cup classic.  

3. Tottenham 3-2 Man City – 1981 

Have there been many better or more pivotal goals in FA Cup history than Ricky Villa’s at Wembley 43 years ago?

After a wretched display from the Argentine in the original 1-1 tie, Tottenham boss Keith Burkinshaw promised Villa he would start the replay.

His faith was rewarded when the midfielder opened the scoring, before Spurs found themselves 2-1 down.

Garth Crooks equalised, and then Villa picked up the ball on the left as he undertook a mazy run which took multiple City defenders out of the game ahead of slotting home cooly to secure a dramatic FA Cup triumph for his side. 

2. Hereford 2-1 Newcastle 1972

It’s almost impossible to watch an FA Cup compilation without some reference to Ronnie Radford’s dramatic goal for Non League Hereford United against First Division Newcastle.

After a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park, Hereford looked to be going out despite a heroic display when Radford popped up, amid horrendous and mud-soaked conditions, to fire in a spectacular 35-yard strike late on.

The goal, which sparked one of the most iconic pitch invasions in FA Cup history, provided the springboard for extra-time where Ricky George slotted home a winner to help Hereford secure one of the most striking upsets in history.

The game was also famous for a young commentator by the name of John Motson telling it as it was, with Radford’s goal still lauded 52 years on. 

1. Man United 2-1 Arsenal – 1999 

The sight of a shirtless Ryan Giggs, sprinting at full pelt down the touchline, is another hugely iconic FA Cup memory.

The two great sides in this era endured a bitter and fierce rivalry and after the first semi-final ended 0-0, Dennis Bergkamp cancelled out David Beckham’s opener in the replay.

Seconds from the end of normal time, Peter Schmeichel clawed away a Bergkamp penalty, before Giggs ripped through four Gunners defenders and emphatically fired past David Seaman to cap a breathless encounter in extra-time.

The game – which is probably the greatest ever FA Cup semi-final – proved to be a sliding doors moment, as United went onto win the Treble, while Arsenal ended the season empty-handed.

Yet, after today’s decision, games like this will be no longer.