The FA Cup Finalists 2000-2009 - Historical Football Kits English League Teams > FA Cup Finals English FA Cup Finalists 2000 - 2009 By the turn of the century, Wembley Stadium was showing its age and its facilities were far inferior to the new club stadia that were being built around the UK. In 2000, the stadium was torn down and work begun on the new Wembley. Sadly the iconic twin towers were not preserved but in their place the designers put a graceful steel arch that could be seen right across London. The FA Cup's new temporary home was the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, a magnificent state of the art structure built for the 1999 Rugby World Cup. 1999 - 2000 Liverpool 3 West Ham United 3 (Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties) venue Millennium Stadium, Cardiff date 13 May 2006 The new Wembley Stadium was behind schedule so the final stayed in Cardiff and was again decided on penalties. West Ham scored after seven minutes (Carragher og) and twenty minutes later they had a second.

Liverpool came storming back and had a goal disallowed before Cisse volleyed home on 32 minutes. Ten minutes after the break, Gerrard equalised but West Ham stunned the Liverpool support by taking back the lead when Konchesky sent over a high cross that looped over Reina in the into the net. Liverpool teams generally do not know when they are beaten and this side was no exception. As the match went into injury time and the Hammers' fans prepared to celebrate, Liverpool's captain Steve Gerrard scored from 35 yards. There was little action in extra-time and both teams were prepared to settle for a penalty contest. Reina saved three penalties in the shoot-out, an exciting climax to what was considered the best final for 20 years. Portsmouth 1 Cardiff City 0 venue Wembley Stadium date 17 May 2008 For once none of the four big Premiership sides featured in the FA Cup final of 2008. Both teams had previously won the cup before the Second World War, Cardiff in 1927 and Portsmouth in 1939.

The match was closely contested and only a single goal, snatched by Kanu when the Cardiff goalkeeper fumbled in the 38th minute, separated the sides. In the second half Cardiff, wearing the lucky black kit that had seen them through both quarter- and semi-finals, pressed their Premier League opponents harder and harder but could not find their way through. For the first time in 69 years the famous Pompey Chimes rang out at Wembley Stadium. venue Wembley Stadium date 30 May 2009 The final was put back to the end of May to ensure that it would be the climax to the domestic season. On a baking hot day in brilliant sunshine, Everton, playing in their first final since 1995, could not have asked for a better start when Louis Saha scored after just 25 seconds, the fastest ever goal in a cup final. Chelsea came back strongly to equalise midway through the first half, Didier Drogba finding space between Everton's central defenders to head home Malouda's cross.

Chelsea dominated the second half but, with both teams committed to the attack, the match might have gone either way before Lampard let fly a terrific strike from distance that beat Tim Howard in the Everton goal with sheer pace. Chelsea could have had a third when Malouda's powerful shot hit the underside of the bar and bounced back into play: TV replays showed that the ball had crossed the line in an uncanny recreation of Geoff Hurst's 1966 World Cup final goal. FA Cup final 2014: Arsenal v Hull - Wembley Way Golden Years special | Daily Mail Online FA Cup replays - Beers in the bath and a Radford rocket Wembley remains a magical place for football fans of all generations, and is still revered the world over. Arsenal and Hull supporters will be looking forward to this weekend, when the two clubs meet in the FA Cup final at Wembley. The majority of fans are sure to make their way to the stadium down Wembley Way.

And ahead of the big match in north London, Sportsmail's nostalgic picture series Golden Years focuses this week on Wembley Way - or Olympic Way, to give the road its official name - and a special set of photographs that span the decades. We begin with some pictures from the opening of Wembley Way in 1948, and go right through to last year's European Cup final. Along the way, we have fans on the famous thoroughfare for a host of big matches, which include many past FA Cup finals. And we reflect a changing Wembley too, with the stadium completely rebuilt in recent times. Hopefully, these pictures bring back some special memories for you, and do please feel free to share them in the comments section at the bottom of this feature. Join us again next Wednesday, when Golden Years will return with some more football nostalgia. The official name for Wembley Way is actually Olympic Way, with much of the area around the stadium redeveloped for the 1948 Olympic Games in London, including the laying of that famous road. A BBC Radio documentary in 2010 revealed that German POWs were enlisted to help with the building of the new approach to English football's traditional home.

The above picture shows the new Olympic Way in April, 1948. Below, cars are driven down the new road shortly after its official opening This fantastic picture shows Blackpool and Manchester United fans, and the new Wembley Way, before the 1948 FA Cup final. This was the third final to be played following World War Two. A thrilling match was won 4-2 by Matt Busby's United, with two goals from Jack Rowley and one each from Stan Pearson and John Anderson Here's a picture of marathon runners on Wembley Way at the 1948 London Olympics. Wembley played a central part in those 'Austerity Games', staging the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics programme, equestrian events and finals in both football and hockey. In the men's marathon Belgium's Etienne Gailly entered the stadium in first place, but he was overtaken by the eventual winner, Argentina's Delfo Cabrera, with Britain's Tom Richards claiming silver and Gailly the bronze This picture from 1955 shows an ordered scene, as thousands of fans make their way home from Wembley following a Home International clash between England and Scotland.

England were thumping winners over their old rivals on that April day, with Wolves forward Dennis Wilshaw scoring four times in a 7-2 victory for the hosts English football's finest hour came on a summer's day in 1966, and this colour picture shows fans on Wembley Way ahead of the World Cup final between England and West Germany. An official crowd of 96,924 at Wembley Stadium saw England claim a 4-2 win after extra-time, thanks to Geoff Hurst's hat-trick and a goal from Martin Peters, a result which saw the nation celebrate long into the night In the above picture, fans seem to be in a hurry on FA Cup final day in 1971, where two giants of the English game met, Arsenal and Liverpool. The Gunners were 2-1 winners that day, with Charlie George scoring the decisive goal to seal a famous Double West Ham and Arsenal fans are approaching Wembley Stadium in 1980 for an all-London FA Cup final that was won 1-0 by the Hammers, thanks to a diving header from Trevor Brooking.

The years and decades came and went, but the stadium's twin towers remained a constant A mass of humanity here on Wembley Way, as Everton and Watford fans gather for the 1984 FA Cup final. That match 30 years ago will be best remembered by many for the tears of Watford chairman Elton John before the game, and a controversial second goal from Andy Gray in a 2-0 win, when the striker appeared to foul Watford goalkeeper Steve Sherwood Most FA Cup finals seemed to take place in bright spring sunshine but that wasn't always the case, and Chelsea fans look pretty miserable in the rain here as they make their way home from Wembley after seeing their team lose 4-0 to Manchester United in 1994. Chelsea were appearing in the FA Cup final for the first time since 1970 Chelsea fans relished the 1997 FA Cup final, with the club winning their first major trophy since 1971. Here's the scene on Wembley Way before the clash with Middlesbrough.

The Blues won 2-0, as Boro suffered the misery of losing both domestic cup finals and being relegated that season As the hours tick down towards kick-off in the FA Cup final, which always used to be at 3pm, Wembley Way slowly fills up. Here is the scene before the 1998 FA Cup final between Arsenal and Newcastle, which the Gunners won 2-0 to clinch their second Double Ticket allocations for the finalists are usually significantly smaller than demand on FA Cup final day, meaning some supporters are desperate to get their hands on a ticket. This fan on Wembley Way is hoping to strike lucky ahead of the 1999 final between Manchester United and Newcastle. Alex Ferguson's United were 2-0 winners that day, goals from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes keeping the Red Devils on course for their famous Treble A picture here of fans on Wembley Way before the last FA Cup final to be played at the old Wembley Stadium, with Chelsea taking on Aston Villa in 2000.

The Blues claimed a 1-0 victory that day, with Roberto Di Matteo scoring the winner The last club match to ever be played at the old Wembley stadium was the Charity Shield in 2000 between Chelsea and Manchester United, a game the London club won 2-0. Here, fans are pictured on Wembley Way on that August day In many ways, this picture comes from a rather sad day for English football, with the old Wembley hosting its final ever game, a World Cup qualifier between England and Germany. These England fans are pictured walking up Wembley Way in the rain. Germany were 1-0 winners that day, with a goal from Dietmar Hamann, and England manager Kevin Keegan unexpectedly resigned after the game. The famous old stadium was playing host to moments of drama right until the end A deserted Wembley Way here, on the day of the 2001 FA Cup final. Wembley had hosted the final since 1923, but with the stadium being rebuilt, British football's most famous occasion switched to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

That 2001 final proved to be a dramatic affair, with two late goals from Michael Owen giving Liverpool a 2-1 win over Arsenal The new £750m Wembley Stadium finally opened its doors in early 2007. The first game there took place in March, 2007, with a reduced crowd of 55,700 watching England Under 21's draw 3-3 with Italy. This picture shows Wembley Way, looking towards Wembley Park Underground station, with the famous thoroughfare once again being used by thousands of football fans The first FA Cup final to take place at the new Wembley Stadium was in May, 2007, with Chelsea taking on Manchester United. You can see in this picture how the stadium had been totally transformed, with an arch and not the twin towers now the most obvious symbol of English football's traditional home. In the above picture, two young United fans are on Wembley Way many hours before kick-off. Below, supporters of both teams make their way down Wembley Way.

The London club claimed victory on that afternoon, with a late extra-time winner from Didier Drogba Getting home from Wembley after an evening match has never been straightforward, and this picture shows fans waiting for the tube following a big game. The picture was taken after the Euro 2008 qualifier between England and Croatia in late 2007. A miserable night for Steve McClaren's England saw the hosts lose 3-2 and fail to make the following summer's tournament in Switzerland and Austria One of England's 1966 World Cup heroes here, goalkeeper Gordon Banks, carrying the Olympic torch on Wembley Way two days before the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games in 2012. Sixty four years after London's post-war 1948 Games, the greatest sporting event in the world was again held in the capital, and Wembley was once again part of the show. The new stadium hosted a number of football matches, including the men's and women's finals.

When Britain's women's team played Brazil during the Games, the attendance at Wembley was an amazing record-breaking 70,584 Two former stars enjoying a spot of head tennis here on Wembley Way in April, 2013, to mark the 90th birthday of Wembley Stadium. Argentine pair Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa were famously part of the Tottenham team which won the FA Cup with victory over Manchester City in 1981. Villa scored a memorable solo winner to give Spurs a 3-2 win in the replay, following a 1-1 draw in the first match Our final picture of this special Wembley feature comes from the world's biggest club football match, and last year's European Cup final between two German teams, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Wembley was staging the event for the second time in three seasons, following Barcelona's meeting with Manchester United in 2011, and on a memorable evening Bayern claimed a 2-1 win, on their way to a famous treble FA Cup by numbers - Telegraph FA Cup by numbers By Christopher Lyles 12:01AM GMT 05 Jan 2008 0 The official attendance for two third-round replays that were played behind closed doors. The first was between Norwich City and Bradford City at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank ground in March 1915. Supporters were banned so as not to disrupt production at a nearby armaments factory. The second was between Leicester City and non-League Burton Albion at Coventry City's Highfield Road in 1985 when fans were banned because a missile had been thrown at the Burton goalkeeper in the first game. Football fans' forum 1 The number of clubs who have won the FA Cup at Wembley in the current millennium. Chelsea have done so twice, beating Aston Villa in 2000 and Manchester United last year.

1 Occasion that the FA Cup has been won by a non-League club, in 1901 when Southern League Tottenham Hotspur beat First Division Sheffield United in a replay at Bolton. 1 The number of non-English clubs who have won the FA Cup. Cardiff City became the first and only club to do so when they beat Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley in 1927. 1 Scottish club who have played in an FA Cup final. Queen's Park were runners-up in 1884 and 1885. 2 Clubs who have won the FA Cup in three successive years. Wanderers did so in 1876, 1877 and 1878 before Blackburn Rovers repeated the feat in 1884, 1885 and 1886. 3 Successive years (between 1956 and 1958) in which Leeds United were drawn at home to Cardiff City in the third round. Cardiff won all three matches 2-1. 3 Weeks between Wanderers winning the first FA Cup final in 1872 and being presented with the trophy at their annual dinner.

4 Times in seven seasons (including the current one) that Aston Villa and Manchester United have been drawn together in the third round. 4 FA Cup finals that have finished goalless. The last final without a goal was the 2005 contest between Arsenal and Manchester United, which Arsenal won 5-4 on penalties. The three previous goalless draws were in 1886, 1911 and 1912. 4 Players who have represented three different clubs in an FA Cup final. They are Harold Halse (Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea), Ernie Taylor (Newcastle United, Blackpool and Manchester United), John Barnes (Watford, Liverpool and Newcastle United) and Dennis Wise (Wimbledon, Chelsea and Millwall). 5 FA Cup final winning teams that have been managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, more than any other manager. 5 Occasions that Tottenham Hotspur have won the FA Cup when the year has ended in a "1".

Spurs lifted the trophy in 1901, 1921, 1961, 1981 and 1991 (with their three other winning finals coming in 1962, 1967 and 1982). 5 FA Cup final goals scored by Ian Rush, more than any other player. 6 Games that it took for Alvechurch to beat Oxford City in the fourth qualifying round in 1971, the scores being 2-2, 1-1, 1-1, 0-0, 0-0 and (finally) 1-0. The FA Cup's longest ever tie lasted for an aggregate of 11 hours. 6 The number worn by Manchester United's Kevin Moran when he became the first player to be sent off in a Cup final, against Everton in 1985. 7 Years that Portsmouth were the FA Cup holders between 1939 and 1946, because of the Second World War. 8 Times that the FA Cup has been won by a club playing outside the top flight of English football.

The last time was in 1980 when West Ham United beat Arsenal thanks to Trevor Brooking's rare headed goal. 9 Finals in which the Hon Arthur Kinnaird, who would later become president of the FA, played, a feat that remains unsurpassed. Kinnaird won three times with Wanderers, scoring in the 1873 and 1878 finals, and twice with Old Etonians. 9 Goals that Ted MacDougall scored when Bournemouth beat Margate 11-0 in a first-round match in 1971. MacDougall's feat is still an individual goalscoring record for the competition proper. 10 Times that the FA Cup has been successfully defended - three times each by Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers, twice by Tottenham Hotspur and once each by Newcastle United and Arsenal. 11 Times that Manchester United have won the FA Cup, more than any other club. United have also reached a record 18 finals. 11 Years between Wimbledon being elected into the Football League in 1977 and winning the FA Cup in 1988.

13 Successive finals between 1911 and 1927 in which the losing finalists failed to score. 15 Clubs who entered the first FA Cup tournament in 1871-72. 15 Penalties that have been awarded in FA Cup finals. The first player to miss in a final was Charlie Wallace, for Aston Villa against Sunderland at Crystal Palace in 1913. The first player to miss a Cup final penalty at Wembley was John Aldridge, for Liverpool against Wimbledon in 1988. 15 Years and 233 days, the age at which Gillingham striker Luke Freeman became the youngest player to appear in the competition proper when he featured in a first-round match at Barnet this season. 17 Years and 119 days, the age at which Millwall's Curtis Weston became the youngest player to appear in a final, when he came on as a late substitute for Dennis Wise in the 2004 final against Manchester United.

18 Years and 19 days, the age at which Norman Whiteside became the youngest player to score in a final when he netted Manchester United's second goal in their 4-0 replay victory over Brighton in 1983. 19 FA Cup goals scored by Preston North End's Jimmy Ross in a single season (1887-88), a competition record. Preston's 26-0 win against Hyde in the first round - a game in which Ross scored eight times - is also the biggest ever FA Cup victory. 20 Pounds, the cost of the original trophy, which was made by Messrs Martin, Hall & Co and was less than 18 inches high. 20 The number of times that Yeovil Town, as a non-League team, have beaten Football League clubs in the FA Cup. 22 The number worn by the Manchester City goalkeeper Len Langford in the 1933 final against Everton, the first when numbers featured. Everton wore numbers 1-11, while City were 12-22. Langford was powerless to prevent Dixie Dean scoring Everton's opening goal on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

23 Years and 20 days, the age at which the late, great Bobby Moore became the youngest FA Cup-winning captain, when West Ham United beat Preston North End 3-2 at Wembley in 1964. 25 The record number of times that Arsenal and Manchester United have each reached the semi-finals. 33 Years that have elapsed since a final did not feature at least one of Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur. 40 Years that have elapsed since the 1968 final between West Bromwich Albion and Everton was the first to be televised in colour. 40 Years since West Bromwich Albion's Dennis Clarke became the first substitute to be used in a final. 42 Different clubs who have won the FA Cup. The last first-time winners were Wimbledon, in 1988. 48 Goals that Henry "Harry" Cursham, of Notts County, scored in the FA Cup proper between 1877 and 1887, a record that still stands. Cursham, who also played two first-class cricket matches for Nottinghamshire, recorded seven FA Cup hat-tricks.

53 Years since an FA Cup match was first played under floodlights. The first time was when Kidderminster Harriers played Brierley Hill Alliance in a preliminary round replay in 1955. 55 Years since a hat-trick was last scored in a final, by Blackpool's Stan Mortensen in the "Matthews Final". 66 Days that it took to complete the third round in 1963, the year of the "Big Freeze" that led to the formation of the Pools Panel. 94 Years since King George V became the first reigning monarch to attend a final. He watched Burnley beat Liverpool 1-0 at Crystal Palace in 1914. 126 Years since an amateur team - Old Etonians - won the FA Cup. 136 Years since the first final was played. 731 Teams that were accepted into this season's FA Cup, a competition record. 2,000 Spectators who attended the first final - at Kennington Oval in 1872 - with each of them paying one shilling. Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0.

74,924 The record crowd for a third-round tie is believed to be the 74,924 who packed into Old Trafford for last year's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa when Manchester United substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sneaked a late winner. Henrik Larsson marked his United debut with the first. 126,047 The official crowd figure for the first Wembley final, between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United, in 1923. In reality, more than 200,000 were believed to have made their way into the stadium after barriers were broken down. 750,000 Pounds, the cost of the original Wembley Stadium, built in 1923. 757,000,000 Pounds, the cost of the new Wembley Stadium. 90 Years Of Wembley Stadium | Wembley Stadium This year Wembley Stadium celebrates its 90th birthday with a blockbuster calendar of events.

While the new 90,000 stadium only opened in 2007, it is built on the site of the original Wembley Stadium that first appeared on the north London skyline in 1923. Originally the centrepiece of the British Empire Exhibition, the old Wembley Stadium was built in under a year at a cost of £750,000. Some 250,000 tons of clay had to be dug out to form the bowl of the stadium and the stands and terraces were built with 25,000 tons of concrete, reinforced with 600 tons of steel rods. The stadium became the symbol of English football, and the famous Twin Towers, which stood at the entrance, were iconic throughout the world. The FA Cup Final between Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United on 28 April 1923 was the first event to take place at Wembley Stadium. The official attendance was 126,047, still the largest for any football match in England, but estimates of the number of people who entered the stadium put the number at around 200,000.

A year later, international football made its debut as England drew 1-1 with Scotland. Since then Wembley has hosted 78 FA Cup Finals, 258 England senior internationals, the 1966 World Cup, 40 League Cup Finals, six European Cup Finals and Euro 96. But it’s not just football that has wowed Wembley... Great Britain won 23 medals at the 1948 Olympic Games, three of them gold, while Henry Cooper floored Cassius Clay in one of boxing’s best-ever bouts in 1963. Rugby League’s Challenge Cup Final has been a fixture here since 1929, while the glitz and glamour of the NFL has wowed the crowds since the 80s. Greyhound racing, speedway, hockey, American wrestling and Evel Knievel are just some of the other stunning spectacles to have featured over the years and even the Pope graced Wembley’s hallowed turf in 1982!

Wembley’s credentials as a music Mecca were boosted with the global phenomenon of Live Aid in 1985 and concerts by Queen in 1986, Michael Jackson in 1988 and the Rolling Stones in 1990. The last football match at the old stadium was England’s World Cup Qualifier against Germany on 7 October 2000. A crowd of 76,377 saw the Germans win 1-0 with Hamann’s free kick on 14 minutes. While Wembley was being rebuilt Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium hosted six FA Cup Finals and arguably the pick of them was the 2006 match between Liverpool and West Ham United, which the Merseysiders won on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The new £750 million venue opened in 2007, and the most striking feature of the new stadium is the 133 metre high arch that towers over the North stand. The single largest roof structure in the world, the Wembley arch supports the north roof and 60% of the weight of the south roof. The Stadium also has a sliding roof that sits 52 metres above the pitch.

Even though the roof does not completely close, it does cover every seat in the stadium, which makes Wembley the largest fully covered stadium in the world. The capacity is now 90,000, the second largest seating capacity in Europe, with the biggest attendance so far the 89,874 who watched the 2008 FA Cup Final featuring Portsmouth and Cardiff City. The first official match was an Under-21s friendly between England and Italy, an exciting 3-3 draw on 24 March. Chelsea became the first team to win The FA Cup at the new stadium as Didier Drogba’s strike saw-off Manchester United. Blues’ captain John Terry scored England’s first goal at their new home in a 1-1 draw with Brazil two weeks later. Other landmarks moments so far include England v Kazakhstan in 2008 (which was watched by 89,107, still the record for an international at the new stadium), the UEFA Champions League Final between Barcelona and Manchester United in 2011, the football tournaments of the London 2012 Olympics and Muse’s 2007 H.A.A.R.P.

tour which was voted Wembley’s Greatest Event in 2011. And this year, a festival of football awaits as the Champions League Final and a series of blockbuster England internationals lie ahead. And it’s not just football taking centre stage at Wembley in 2013, big name concerts include The Killers, Bruce Springsteen, Robbie Williams and Roger Waters. Here’s to another 90 years of magical moments... Wembley Stadium - London - The Stadium Guide The Stadium Guide Club: none | Opening: 2007 | Capacity: 90,000 seats History and description Wembley Stadium is, after Camp Nou , the second largest stadium in Europe and the standard playing venue of the English national team. It also hosts the annual League Cup final, FA Cup final, and the Community Shield. Wembley Stadium replaced the old stadium with the same name that had stood in its place since 1923 and had been host to many cup finals. The old Wembley Stadium got demolished in 2003, after which construction of the new stadium started.

After several delays, postponing the opening of the stadium for almost two years, the stadium finally got completed in 2007. Wembley Stadium officially opened on the 19th of May 2007 with the FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United (1-0). Earlier other official football matches had already been played, of which a match between the English and Italian U21 sides was the proper first. The new stadium was designed by architecture firms Foster and Partners and Populous and is estimated to have cost a total of £757 million. Most iconic feature of the stadium is its 133 metre tall arch, that, with its span of 315 metres, is the longest single span roof structure in the world. Wembley Stadium furthermore has a sliding roof that sits 52 metres above the pitch. Even though the roof does not completely close, it does cover every seat in the stadium, which makes Wembley the largest fully covered stadium in the world.

The stadium hosted the 2011 Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United (3-1) and will again host the Champions League final in 2013 to mark the 150th anniversary of the FA. How to get to Wembley Stadium Wembley Stadium is located in the north-west of the city of London, about 6 miles from Paddington station, 7 miles from Marylebone station, and 8 miles from Kings Cross St Pancras and Euston station. The stadium is served by trains from London Marylebone station. The journey to Wembley Stadium station takes about 8 minutes. Wembley Park tube station, a 5-minute walk from the stadium, is served by the Jubilee and Metropolitan metro lines. Both lines connect the stadium with London’s city centre, though the Metropolitan line does so with fewer stops. The stadium is also within walking distance (10 to 15 minutes) from Wembley Central metro station, which is served by the Bakerloo line and the London Overground metro.

Finally, local buses 18, 83, 92, and 224 connect the stadium with local destinations as well as other parts of the city. It is advised not to arrive by car on matchdays, or only if parking is booked in advance. On non-matchdays the stadium can be reached by car from the A406, which connects with the M1 slightly further north. The exits toward the stadium are signposted from the A406. From central London the stadium can be reached by driving up Harrow Road (A404) in north-western direction. Harrow Road branches off the A40 at the altitude of Paddington station. At Wembley Rail Station turn right onto Wembley Hill Road to reach the stadium (follow the signs). Address: Wembley, London HA9 0WS Eat, drink, and sleep near Wembley Stadium Wembley Stadium is located in a quiet residential area with some offices mixed in. The few pubs and eating options, for example near Wembley Park tube station, tend to get very crowded on matchdays, and it may be a better idea to eat and drink in central London.

There are a few hotels near the stadium for those that like to avoid a crowded tube ride. Most of the hotels are of the typical chain hotels such as a Premier Inn , Ibis , Holiday Inn , and Hilton . They come in different price ranges. For all hotels near Wembley Stadium click here . If you choose a hotel in central London, you can try to strategically pick a hotel close to the Metropolitan or Jubilee line to ease the journey. For example, there are many affordable options near Paddington Station , which is not far from tube stop Baker Street. For all hotels in central London go here . If you arrive by car, you can also choose a hotel further up one of the two metro lines so that you avoid the crowd that comes from central London. It will be easier to park as well. England National Team Tickets Ticket sales for the English national team go through the FA. Tickets can be bought online , or by phone +44 (0) 844 847 2010. Tickets for FA Cup and other finals can only be bought through the clubs involved.

Wembley stadium tours Wembley Stadium offers guided behind-the-scenes stadium tours that include the changing rooms, press room, players’ tunnel, and royal box. The tours last about 75 minutes. Tours run every day of the week between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, at least every hour, but often twice an hour. Tours do not run on days of major events or a number of public holidays. Walk-ups are allowed but subject to availability. Tickets can be booked online , or by calling +44 (0) 844 800 2755. The tour costs £15.00. For more information email tours@wembleystadium.com . Photos of Wembley Stadium Wembleystadium.com – Official website of Wembley Stadium. Visitlondon.com – Official London city guide. Tfl.gov.uk – Website of the London Underground and other London public transport. Journeyplanner.org – London area public transport journey planner. Nationalrail.co.uk – Check train times and fares. Keep up to date with the latest stadium news by following @stadiumguide on Twitter (all updates) or liking our Facebook page (occasional updates).

Reviews (3) Which of the Football League’s 92 clubs have never played at Wembley? | The Knowledge | Football | The Guardian The Knowledge Which of the Football League’s 92 clubs have never played at Wembley? Plus: more low-scoring top goalscorers and Uniteds united in success. Send your questions and answers to knowledge@theguardian.com and follow us on Twitter Tom Bradshaw senses a first ever Wembley appearance for Walsall is near after scoring at Preston. Photograph: Jason Cairnduff/Action Images Wednesday 14 January 2015 05.00 EST Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 09.57 EDT Share on Messenger Close “My team, Bristol City, are on the verge of a trip to Wembley for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final this season,” Will Jones writes. “I’m pleased because, when we got relegated, one of my consolations was that getting to Wembley seems to be easier in the lower divisions.

Given this, and given that most Premier League/Championship clubs have been there for a final at some stage in their existence, I wondered whether any of the 92 league teams have never played at Wembley? And a second question – which side is currently enduring the longest wait since their most recent appearance?” Two questions, Will? A bit cheeky. But we’ll let it ride. You’ve never been to Wembley, after all, it’s understandable that you’re in an excitable mood at the moment. And here’s a straightforward answer to your first question: only four current Football League clubs have never made it to Wembley and they are Accrington Stanley, Crawley Town, Hartlepool United and Walsall. But that might change soon, because Walsall are on the verge of making their first visit to the home of English football this season, having won the first leg of their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern Area semi-final 2-0 away at Preston North End. Will’s Bristol City are their likely opponents in the final, assuming that they can push home a 4-2 advantage from the first leg of their semi against Gillingham.

As for those who have been to Wembley already, the club who have had to wait the longest for another appearance are Fulham. Their last trip there was in 1975 when they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United in the FA Cup final. THREE UNITEDS “While shooting the proverbial, a mate of mine raised an interesting point (28 November 2014),” wrote Daniel Jackson last month. “As of today, the Premier League table reads: 4) Manchester United; 5) Newcastle United; 6) West Ham United. Is this the highest that all three ‘Uniteds’ have sat at any given time? Has there been another occasion were all three were positioned in the top six?” And help is at hand at long last, from Tom Thorby. “The state of the positions of Manchester, West Ham and Newcastle Uniteds of 4th, 5th and 6th on 28 November 2014 gives an average position of 5,” Tom says.

“However, on 1 December 1985, the positions of the sides were an average of 4.33 with Manchester United 1st, West Ham 3rd and Newcastle 9th. This was the best average position of the season as Liverpool and Everton eventually finished 1st and 2nd, pushing the Uniteds’ average down to 6. I cannot find a higher average than 4.33 for these three sides over the seasons. “In terms of lowest positional average in the top division, in 1977-78 the league finished with Manchester United 10th and West Ham and Newcastle both relegated, finishing 21st and 22nd, giving an average position of 17, and the 1974 season where Manchester United were relegated in 21st, Newcastle finished in 15th and West Ham 18th. “While the question is referring to West Ham United, if they are replaced by Leeds United then on 18 December 1993 there were three Uniteds in the top 6 as Manchester were 1st, Newcastle 2nd and Leeds 4th.

This gives an average position of 2.33. At the end of the 1993-94 season, Manchester United finished 1st, Newcastle United 3rd and Leeds United 5th, giving an average of 3 which appears to be the highest average of any Uniteds in the English top division.” LOWEST SCORING HIGHEST SCORERS (2) Last week’s edition looked at the lowest number of goals scored by the top goalscorer in a league-winning side. But there’s more … Andrew Amor has one more. Over to you, Andrew: “Cardiff City won the Championship in 2013 despite our leading goalscorers, Peter Whittingham, Heider Helguson and Aron Gunnarsson, scoring only eight league goals each,” he notes. “Despite this we still finished with the league’s joint-best goal difference and were third top scorers, proving that double-digit strikers are overrated.” Presumably that’s Adam Le Fondre’s excuse now.

KNOWLEDGE ARCHIVE “I vaguely remember waking up on Boxing Day morning a couple of years ago (with a massive hangover) and seeing a caption on Football Focus with an old list of Boxing Day fixtures and an awful lot of goals. Was it something to do with the DTs or did this really happen?” asked Ken Davro in 2000. We’re not doctors, so our lawyers have advised us to make no comment about the floating spots in front of your eyes. But we can help you with the Boxing Day thing. On 26 December 1963, an amazing 66 goals were scored in the old First Division, leaving some teams wishing there had been a repeat of the previous season’s Big Freeze (which had wiped out nearly all the football between Boxing Day and March). Here are the classifieds: Blackpool 1-5 Chelsea Wolves 3-3 Aston Villa West Ham 2-8 Blackburn If that wasn’t weird enough, the results two days later – when many of the teams played the “return leg” – beggar belief. West Ham, who had lost 8-2 at home to Blackburn, won 3-1 at Ewood Park.

Manchester United, fresh from a 6-1 thrashing at Burnley, turned the tables at Old Trafford with a 5-1 win. And poor Ipswich, who had clearly been on the Christmas Day pop, avenged their 10-1 defeat by Fulham with a 4-2 victory over the Cottagers at Portman Road. Much good the two points did them, mind you: they finished bottom. CAN YOU HELP? “What is the longest period for which only one player has scored for a club?” muses Michael Brown. “Recently, Burnley made all three substitutions against Newcastle in the first 37 minutes,” observes Peter Goldstein. “What’s the record for the earliest three substitutions?” “Which team has successfully negotiated the most number of rounds on a single run in the FA Cup, or any cup competition,” wonders Chris Lloyd. “Who holds the record for the most unused substitute appearances in the Premier League?” tweets John Briggs. “If we define the promotion score of a manager as (# of promotions) minus (# of relegations), who has the highest promotion score?” muses Taufiq Akbari Utomo. • Send your questions and answers to the lovely people at knowledge@theguardian.com .

Community Shield: Man United v Leicester team news and stats Community Shield: Man United v Leicester team news and stats Date published: Saturday 6th August 2016 3:17 Mourinho and Ranieri: Square-off at Wembley There will be plenty of new faces on display at Wembley as Premier League champions Leicester take on FA Cup winners Man United (Sun, 4pm). Team news New Manchester United signings Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitarayan and Eric Bailly are all in line to start for the Red Devils. Chris Smalling and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are likely to be available but Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to miss out altogether as his future at Old Trafford remains unclear. Ahmed Musa, Papy Mendy and Luis Hernandez could all make their Leicester debuts, as well as Ron-Robert Zieler and the Foxes’ latest signing Bartosz Kapustka. Robert Huth is free to play despite serving a three-match ban carried over from last season, while out-of-favour Ritchie de Laet and Gokhan Inler are expected to be missing.

Opta stats This is Leicester City’s first appearance in the Community Shield since 1971/72, in which they beat Liverpool 1-0 at Filbert Street. The Foxes were winners of the second division the season before. This will be Manchester United’s 30th appearance in the Community Shield. They’ve won the trophy on 20 previous occasions, a record figure (16 outright wins and four shared titles). The Red Devils have won the Community Shield in five of their last six appearances (2007/08 and 2008/09 on penalties, 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2013/14). Leicester’s last trip to Wembley saw them win the League Cup in February 2000, beating Tranmere 2-1. Indeed, the Foxes have secured three wins and a draw in their last five visits to Wembley (drew 1-1 in the League Cup Final in 1997 before winning the replay at Hillsborough).

Manchester United have won their last four games at Wembley since losing the 2011 Champions League final there to Barcelona. The only Wembley match between Leicester and Manchester United previously was the FA Cup Final in 1963, in which the Red Devils ran out 3-1 winners. Jose Mourinho failed to win the Community Shield in three of his four matches as Chelsea boss, including last season’s game against Arsenal (one defeat on penalties to Manchester United in 2007/08). Of his four games at Wembley as Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho won twice (2007 FA Cup final and 2015 League Cup Final). This is the first time Claudio Ranieri will have managed a team at Wembley Stadium. Manchester United have lost just one of their last 15 games in all competitions against Leicester, though this was a memorable 5-3 victory in September 2014 (W11 D3). This is the only time in the Premier League era in which Manchester United have lost a league game after being two goals ahead.

Both matches between the two sides in the Premier League last season ended 1-1, though Jamie Vardy did break the Premier League record for scoring in the most consecutive matches in the first meeting in November (11). Jamie Vardy has scored once and assisted another goal in three games for England at Wembley Stadium. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has only played at Wembley once before; losing 0-1 against England for Sweden in November 2011. Ibrahimovic scored 38 goals in 31 league games for Paris Saint Germain in Ligue 1 last season – the only player in the big five Euro leagues to score more was Luis Suarez (40 for Barcelona). Henrikh Mkhitaryan assisted the most goals (15) & created the third most chances (83) in the German Bundesliga last season. Wayne Rooney has scored 245 goals for Manchester United in all competitions – only Bobby Charlton (249) has scored more for the club. The last two Community Shield matches have been won by the previous seasons’ FA Cup winners (Arsenal in both 2014/15 and 2015/16).

None of the last five Community Shield winners have gone on to win the Premier League title that season – the last team to do this were Manchester United in 2010/11. Share this Page Arsenal crush Aston Villa to win FA Cup final 2015: as it happened - Telegraph Football Live Blogs Arsenal crush Aston Villa to win FA Cup final 2015: as it happened Arsenal v Aston Villa in the FA Cup final - reaction to Gunners' 4-0 win, news and updates from Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 3, 2015, kick-off 17.30 BST (live TV coverage on BBC One and BT Sport 1) TEAMS • FA Cup final player ratings: Sanchez and Cazorla light up Wembley 20.55 That's me done for the day. I'll leave the last word to the FA, seeing as it's their competition and all: .

@Arsenal #FACupFinal winners 1930, 1936, 1950, 1971, 1979, 1993, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015 #record pic.twitter.com/fLzohd81kR — The FA (@FA) May 30, 2015 Thanks very much for reading, I'm off to see if I can get a free drink from Arsene Wenger. Goodnight! 20.25 — Per Mertesacker (@mertesacker) May 30, 2015 20.23 Arsene Wenger, watching the pennies: Wenger on buying players: "I am not in a buying mood tonight.

I will buy drinks for my players." #afc — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 30, 2015 20.14 Tim Sherwood has finally unlocked the Aston Villa dressing-room door and faced the media: Sherwood on #afc : "They were outstanding, world-class footballers. They dominated the match. I feel sick. So do the ( #avfc ) boys." — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 30, 2015 Sherwood on #avfc players: "I need to change their mentality because they've got used to losing matches.

That’s not a good habit to have." — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 30, 2015 Sherwood: "Some of the boys have been told they will not be here next year and they can go and find other clubs." — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 30, 2015 20.12 John Percy's Wembley player ratings are in - and it makes great reading if your name is Alexis Sanchez; less so should you be called Charles N'Zogbia: Alexis Sanchez Five goals in four appearances at Wembley now for the £33 million forward and this strike was astonishing, to be replayed for years. Singled out for physical attention from Villa but never stopped wanting the ball. 20.08 This man is Arsenal's most famous supporter and nobody seems to know why : Just had the #FACup done on my chest and now on my way to @wembleystadium .

??#COYG #AFCvAVFC @Arsenal @arsenalfantv pic.twitter.com/hEI3S4471Y — Bully Arsenal (@MrBullyArsenal) May 30, 2015 20.04 Just how long is it since your team won a trophy? Well, we have computers here at the Telegraph and we've made them work it all out . Some highlights - Arsenal have gone 24 minutes without a trophy, Chelsea a whole 27 days and 3 hours, it's been two years and 37 days for Manchester United....and a shade under half a century since Hull City claimed the old Division Three title. Knowledge, eh? 19.58 After a trying, even dispiriting, week for football, Henry Winter writes that Arsenal reminded us all of the joys the game still offers : After the stench of the Fifa Congress, this FA Cup final came as a welcome breath of fresh air. After the shameless grandstanding in Zurich of the most dangerous man in world football, Sepp Blatter, true football folk congregated at Wembley.

Many of those flocking to support Walcott, Sanchez, Mertesacker and company wore yellow ribbons, harking back to 1971 when they first donned yellow in the Cup final, a game made memorable by Charlie George’s goal and celebration. As Blatter thinks only of the politics and the power, the dollars and the votes, Arsenal supporters were reveling in their history – by George - and in their present embodied by Walcott, Sanchez and Mertesacker. Such emotions and qualities cannot be quantified. Just because Blatter is in charge of world football doesn’t mean that everything in the game has to have a price-tag attached. These Wembley goals meant everything to Walcott, Sanchez and Mertesacker. 19.45 The legacy of Jack Grealish's first glimpse of football's biggest stages: All I could think of during the #FACupFinal pic.twitter.com/BrukdkqVxY — Tokyo Sexwhale (@tokyo_sexwhale) May 30, 2015 19.37 Up goes the trophy, out comes the glitter, and on comes "Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield. Tradition.

19.36 Arsenal are about to lift the cup for the 12th time. Jason Burt's match report is in, meanwhile: This was a cuffed final more than a Cup final. Arsenal were so utterly dominant; Aston Villa so easily beaten that the 134th FA Cup final was a no-contest, a mis-match on an embarrassing scale for the claret and blue. 19.34 As the dejected Villa players climbs those steps for their losers' medals, here's our Jeremy Wilson with the five things he learned from the final - he says Arsene Wenger has earned his place among the greats. Two doubles and an unbeaten season are not easily surpassed but he also now stands clear of Sir Alex Ferguson among every modern-day manager with a sixth FA Cup win. More significant still is the sense that Wenger himself is back. Trophies in consecutive years is a powerful answer to those who so emphatically dismissed the feat of staying in the Champions League while building a new stadium. His authority and wider standing with the supporters is also on the up for the first time in perhaps a decade. The next two challenges are obvious.

Winning a first Champions League and establishing a meaningful rivalry with Jose Mourinho at the very top of the Premier League. 19.31 Another look at that goal from Alexis Sanchez, which was basically Roberto Di Matteo's famous Cup final goal, but on steroids: 19.27 Arsene Wenger speaks: We showed today we are a real team, we can deal with pressure. I had a difficult week - difficult decisions to make, from the keeper to the centre-forward. I'm very proud that our club is doing well - if I'm personally doing well, it's even better! Full time Arsenal have won the FA Cup for the 12th time Arsene Wenger also breaks a record - that's his sixth FA Cup win as a manager, and certainly one of the easiest. Theo Walcott - who always speaks very well after matches - is on the BBC, and says "this team is blessed...and this is massive for me." GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa (Giroud 90 min + 3) Wilshere feeds Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose low cross is easily converted by Giroud at the near post.

That'll soften the blow of being left out of the staring eleven. 90 min +2 Into the second of three added minutes. The first time Arsenal have dropped their work-rate, as they see this one out. Cue obligatory shot of.... 90 min There's a glimpse of a chance for Grealish, and then Agbonlahor, but Arsenal won't show any mercy here. The superb Alexis Sanchez is granted a standing ovation as he goes off to be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. 88 min A lesson for any youngsters watching: Lesson to defenders watching #FACupFinal : sometimes you've got to stand up and take the ball full in the face for your team #whateverittakes — Paul Lake (@Paul_Lake) May 30, 2015 86 min Another penalty shout for Villa - Grealish is dragged down in the area, but Moss is again unmoved. Sherwood this time is furious. 84 min Some unbridled Arsenal joy. Those are Mertesacker's legs poking out of that pile of celebrating bodies: 80 min Francis Coquelin bundles Agbonlahor over on the edge of the box, but the referee waves play on.

At first glance, it looked like a penalty, but - in all honesty - it makes not a jot of difference. Sherwood is unlikely to complain, either. 78 min Ramsey wants a goal - he slaloms into the Villa box, but overplays it. Arsenal are still piling forward for another to complete Sherwood's misery. 76 min Theo Walcott is found by a lovely curling through-ball from Ramsey, and he he goes for the emphatic sidefoot into the car corner....but fluffs it. His afternoon is over - Olivier Giroud replaces him - but it's been a job well done. Mesut Ozil has also been replaced by Jack Wilshere. 74 min While the first half raced through on pure adrenaline, this second period has skipped along happily for Arsenal - just 15 minutes or so left for Villa to endure before they claim their runners-up medals. 72 min Alexis Sanchez, as usual, is still scrapping for every ball as if Arsenal are a goal down. He's had a great season, and given Wenger's side a great big dose of something they've traditionally lacked in recent seasons: bottle.

70 min Villa make their third and final change - Ashley Westwood is replaced by Carlos Sanchez. Grealish is going to get a character-building 90 minutes here. 68 min Leandro Bacuna replaces the injured Kieran Richardson, who probably didn't want to experience much more of this. Nor does this chap, by the looks of it: 67 min The Villa fans have been dumbfounded into silence, while the Arsenal faithful are in party mood. The FA Cup holders have had 14 shots to Villa's solitary one. 65 min Gary Lineker rubs it in a bit: If only Paul Lambert was still in charge. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 30, 2015 GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa (Mertesacker 61 min) Painfully simple for Arsenal, just painful for Aston Villa. In comes the Cazorla corner from the right, Benteke loses the big German and he...actually, he shoulders it into the corner and Arsenal's ribbons can sfaely stay tied to the cup - this is done and dusted.

61 min A noted expert on goalscoring writes: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Francis Benali - What a strike!! ð&amp;amp;Yuml;&amp;amp;lsquo;&amp;amp;Yuml;ð&amp;amp;Yuml;&amp;amp;rsquo;¥â&amp;amp;scaron;½ï¸ &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#FACupFinal&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 59 min Arsenal fans are enjoying Theo Walcott's resurgence : 57 min Cazorla twist and turns, endlessly, until he fires a left-foot shot that Given again has to parry. Villa haven't got an earthly in this match - Arsenal are too good, too fast, and 2-0 up. 56 min GOAL DISALLOWED! Walcott is denied by more Given heroics, and the whistle goes for offside well before Sanchez can nod in the rebound.

55 min Some pertinent facts: 2 - Alexis Sanchez is only the second Chilean to score in the FA Cup final after George Robledo for Newcastle v Arsenal in 1952. History. A very modern lament from Jamie Carragher: Sherwood vines unlikely now. — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) May 30, 2015 52 min Ashley Westwood is the next Villa player to be booked, as he trips a rampant Sanchez. Villa make their change - N'Zogbia departs, and Agbonlahor is thrust into the fray. GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Aston Villa (Sanchez 50 min) An absolute, unadulterated, full-fat belter from Alexis Sanchez. Head down, 30 yards out, he lets rip and it flies straight through Shay Given's gloves and down off the bar in mere microseconds. 49 min Grealish almost gets the better of Bellerin on the left, but is eventually crowded out. Still no sign of those suspected Villa substitutions... 47 min Arsenal straight back into their rhythm, interrupted only momentarily by a directionless surge from Benteke.

Ramsey tries to catch Given out at the near post, but scuffs the shot. 46 min The second half is upon us. No changes for either side, but Agbonlahor is warming up for Villa. 18.30 A reliable Theo Walcott? Well, I never. 7 - Theo Walcott has scored seven goals in seven starts for Arsenal this season. Guarantee. A penny for his thoughts. Actually, he'd probably demand a "pony", or at least a "score". 18.24 Telegraph football correspondent Tinchy Stryder reports: &amp;lt;noframe&amp;gt;Twitter: Tinchy Stryder - Well deserved lead... But this is football &amp;amp;amp; another 45mins to go!

ð&amp;amp;Yuml;&amp;amp;lsquo;â&amp;amp;scaron;½ï¸ &amp;lt;a href="" target="_blank"&amp;gt;#FACupFinal&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;&amp;lt;/noframe&amp;gt; 18.22 It wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Jack Grealish's shapely young calves being sacrificed at half-time, in favour of a more experienced body in the Villa midfield. Agbonlahor could also be called upon to give the isolated Benteke some support. 18.20 Another reminder of the dreaded commentator's curse: Danny Murphy talks about Walcott not wanting to cross on his left foot, then he smashes a goal in with his left foot #FACupFinal — Dan Clifford (@DanCliffordCTFC) May 30, 2015 Half time Referee Jon Moss brings a frantic opening 45 minutes to an end. Tim Sherwood ended the half right on the edge of his technical area, deep in thought, looking like a manager seeing out a 0-5 rout.

It might not necessarily be hairdryer time in the Villa dressing room, but he'll look to shake things up - they haven't mustered a single shot on target. 45 min Two added minutes. Arsenal have another corner, but this time Villa clear with ease. I'd expect a change in Sherwood's personnel at the break. 43 min Villa's response is to search desperately for something Benteke-shaped at the back post, but Arsenal are wise to that ploy by now. GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Aston Villa (Walcott 40 min) Monreal, with his left foot this time, clips in another cross. Sanchez rises highest to nod the ball back onto the path of Walcott, about 10 yards out, who rifles a left-foot shot through Given and into the back of the net. A fully deserved lead, and Villa haven't quite made it to the sanctuary of half-time. Brilliant finish from Walcott. No hesitation. Just balance, timing and placement. #afc lead.

listen to ‘#AFC 1-0 #AVFC - Wembley erupts #FACupFinal’ on audioBoom 39 min Monreal clips in a cross with his weaker right foot, and it's too deep for the likes of Sanchez and Walcott to reach. Every Villa goal-kick is an oasis of hope right now. 37 min A breathless first-half nears its end, and thoughts begin to turn to Sherwood's half-time team talk. Arsenal will, as it stands, be doing some serious dressing-room ruing, as they should be a goal up by now, without question. Now Delph is booked, as the pressure continues. 34 min Veteran @AVFCOfficial keeper Shay Given makes incredible save to keep Arsenal at bay in the #FACupFinal . #WeAreIn — BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) May 30, 2015 33 min The cast-iron booking for Alan Hutton arrives after 33 minutes, after he flies into Sanchez. No complaints in the slightest - that's his 11th booking of the season. 32 min Koscielny climbs above Vlaar to force Given into that superb save...

30 min Villa enjoy a brief spell of possession, but Arsenal's midfield persistence pays off and Delph is given a lecture from the referee for tugging back Sanchez. Villa's respite was brief. 28 min Ramsey races through again, after Walcott clips a pass into his path, but he can only find the gloves of Given under pressure. 62% possession from Arsenal so far, and it feels like 92%. 27 min Arsenal continue to swarm all over the Villa defence, before the assistant's flag rescues them and allows a gathering of breath and thoughts. 24 min ANOTHER GLORIOUS CHANCE! Theo Walcott is denied from six yards by a flying block by Kieran Richardson. It's surely only a matter of time here... 22 min Szczesny once again is alert to the early Villa cross, from deep, towards Benteke and he races out to claim with ease. Sherwood's brain cogs will be whirring right now. 20 min CHANCE! Ramsey really ought to have put Arsenal ahead. Ron Vlaar fails to clear a ball into the box, and Ramsey pounces on it, eight yards out, but pokes it over Given's crossbar.

19 min Benteke scraps for the ball on the edge of the Arsenal area, and that's the sum total of Villa's attacking threat so far. Arsenal in total control. 17 min CHANCE! Hector Bellerin races down the right and, eventually, feeds the ball into Aarom Ramsey at the near post, who stabs the ball into the side-netting. Portions of Wembley thought it was in... 15 min SAVE! Shay Given rolls back the years with a stunning save to deny Koscielny. Given's strong right arm beat away the header, after Sanchez had clipped in a clever cross. Villa clinging on a bit. 14 min Tom Cleverley goes into the book after tripping Nacho Monreal. That's basically Benteke's booking from 90 seconds ago. 13 min Some quickfire passing almost sets Cazorla free of the Villa defence, but Ron Vlaar steps in to restore order. Szczesny then faces his first aerial assault from Benteke, but his punch clear is decisively long-distance. 11 min Another corner for Arsenal, as Delph dives in to interrupt a flowing move between Ramsey and Cazorla.

Benteke then fells Sanchez right on the by-line as the Chilean darts towards the box. He escapes a yellow, probably just because it's so early in the game. 8 min The Gunners backline - Mertesacker in particular - have been granted the freedom of Wembley to play the ball, but Villa snap at Arsenal heels whenever the ball is finally played forward. Sanchez's first foray into Villa territory leads to Alan Hutton sliding into concede a corner. 6 min A first touch for Shay Given, who has the late afternoon sunshine in his eyes for the first half. Benteke is now flagged offside, just as he was about to bear down on the Arsenal goal. 4 min Delph's dainty midfield footwork engineers the ball superbly out to Hutton, whose cross is almost deflected out for a corner, but Szczesny gathers. Lively start. 2 min Arsenal win a free-kick, which Cazorla swings in from the left, but Mertesacker is beaten to it. Arsenal build again, and Walcott momentarily looks to be clean through...but he's offside.

1 min Tom Cleverley and the boldly-socked Grealish get us off and underway in the cup final. Jores Okore wins his first tussle with Theo Walcott. 17.29 Captains Fabian Delph and Per Mertesacker have the minor inconvenience of the pendants to deal with, before both teams gather in a pre-match huddle. It's game time. 17.28 National anthem time. 17.22 Out come the teams for the 2015 FA Cup final. Little plastic flags everywhere, and Wembley sounds great. Aston Villa fan Prince William, Duke of Cambridge - and president of the FA - greets the teams. He shakes the Villa hands with a little more gusto, it has to be said. 17.21 A stirring rendition, that. Kick-off moments away! 17.19 It's time for Abide With Me. You know the words. Maybe. 17.18 Under a quarter-of-an-hour until kick-off. Kill a few of those by reading this curious tale of FA bureaucracy , relating to this banned Aston Villa flag: 17.12 Nice.

17.10 Lots of pre-match focus justifiably on Christian Benteke - he's got 12 goals in his last 12 games and, traditionally, he represents Arsenal's worst nightmare. 17.09 — Henry Winter (@henrywinter) May 30, 2015 16.59 Cup Final news from north of the border - Inverness Caledonian Thistle have beaten Falkirk in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park. 16.57 Our man in the Midlands, John Percy, has written about the making of Jack Grealish . The Brummie with the boyband haircut and socks rolled around his ankles is now one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Premier League and will face Arsenal at Wembley this Saturday, determined to help propel his beloved Villa into Europe. “All he’s ever wanted was to play for Villa - he didn’t have much choice really because I’ve been buying him season tickets since the age of four. Whatever happens, he won’t be changing because he doesn’t like the limelight. “He’s not big time, he still lives at home with us and I can assure you he still tidies his room.

He’s still picking his sisters up from school and having his mates round to play Fifa.” 16.54 A word, too, for veteran Villa goalkeeper Shay Given, who played for Newcastle against Arsenal in the final 17 years ago. He's been Villa's cup goalkeeper all season, and displaced Guzan completely since the start of May. He's probably be quite busy today, too. 16.52 This way for an evolving gallery of the sights and sounds of FA Cup Final day... 16.48 While, on the Arsenal bench, Giroud may feel aggrieved at his omission, Gabby Agbonlahor is perhaps the unluckiest one among the Villa subs. No doubt both will get their chance today at some point. 16.39 Nice, this. BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand - who announced his retirement from football earlier today - straightens the tie of young Jack Grealish: 16.36 Wembley Way, in the Cup Final sunshine. 16.34 Today's referee, by the way, is Jon Moss - who I am legally obliged to tell you is from Tyne and Wear.

16.32 Villa defender Ron Vlaar may have been hoping for Olivier Giroud rather than Theo Walcott, who's fresh from a final-day Premier League hat-trick against West Brom. Wojciech Szczesny is retained as Arsenal's designated cup keeper, ahead of their regular no.1 David Ospina. 16.28 Anyway, serious business now. Team news! Walcott starts! Szczesny gets the nod! 39-year-old Shay Given starts for Villa! Arsenal: Szczesny, Bellerin, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Cazorla, Ramsey, Ozil, Alexis, Walcott Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Flamini, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Vlaar, Okore, Richardson, Westwood, Delph (c), Cleverley, Grealish, N'Zogbia, Benteke. Subs: Guzan, Bacuna, Sinclair, Agbonlahor, Cole, Sanchez, Baker 16.20 Referees get beer after the game!

This is extraordinary. In these days of mega fitness & pro diets - good to know some things don't change. From official running order pic.twitter.com/LmjjqD8JYK — Guy Mowbray (@Guymowbray) May 30, 2015 "Additional beer on request." Look! A team bus! Excitement! 15.59 An Ennio Morricone soundtrack for the BBC's opening montage, before Gary Lineker introduces us to an imposing studio trio of Alan Shearer, Dion Dublin and Martin Keown. They tuck straight into some light-hearted digs at each other's footballing ability over some retro footage. Standard. 15.56 Schadenfreude fans, this could be one for you - Arsenal have been demonstrating administrative prudence and adhering to local council regulations getting ahead of themselves and have planned their victory parade already:

Question: Which team won the FA Cup in both the last final to be played at the old Wembley stadium and the first to be played at the new one?
Answer: Chelsea