Motterman
15 May 2003, 09:03 AM
'Ryan Giggs' memorable solo goal in Manchester United's semi-final replay victory over Arsenal in 1999 has been chosen as the greatest FA Cup moment of all time in a poll of almost 10,000 fans.
Giggs' wonder strike after an exhilarating run (set up by the wonder pass from Patrick Vieira - Ed :) ) from the halfway line at Villa Park, which kept United on course for an historic Treble, clearly topped the survey with almost 20 per cent of the vote.
It comfortably beat Ricky Villa's own jinking run through the Manchester City defence in the 1981 final, won by Tottenham, into second place.
Alan Sunderland's last-gasp winner to hand Arsenal the cup in 1979 came in third, just ahead of Michael Owen's similarly dramatic late goal against the Gunners in 2001.
The poll was organised by the Nationwide Building Society, one of the FA Cup's five official sponsors, from a 20-strong shortlist of memorable moments.
Nationwide spokesman Chris Hull said: "We decided that we wanted to give every football fan in the country the opportunity to vote for their most treasured moment in the world's most famous domestic cup competition.
"Ryan's amazing goal is a worthy winner and a truly defining moment in the FA Cup's history."
He added: "As an official partner of the FA Cup, Nationwide was delighted to host this fascinating debate. It is a survey which has stimulated many discussions around the country at matches, at home and in bars over the past month."
The top 10 in full were:
1 - Ryan Giggs' solo effort against Arsenal in the 1999 semi-final - 19.4%
2 - Ricky Villa's amazing run in Tottenham's 1981 victory against Manchester City - 11.5%
3 - Michael Owen's last-gasp goal to overcome the Gunners in the 2001 final - 8.1%
4 - Paul Gascoigne's stunning free-kick to take Spurs to the final in 1991 - 6.9%
5 - Ronnie Radford's giant-killing wonder strike in the mud at Edgar Street to knock out Newcastle in 1972 - 5.8%
6 - Dave Beasant's penalty to help clinch Wimbledon's cup final upset against Liverpool in 1988 - 5.6%
7 - Charlie George's winning goal to secure the double for Arsenal in 1971 - 5.1%
8 - Roberto Di Matteo's quickest ever Wembley cup final goal for Chelsea in 1997 - 4.2%
9 - The Matthews' final as Sir Stan finally secured his winner's medal in 1953 - 4.1%
10 - The crowd scene and white horse at Wembley's first final in 1923 as Bolton overcame West Ham - 3.7%
Giggs' wonder strike after an exhilarating run (set up by the wonder pass from Patrick Vieira - Ed :) ) from the halfway line at Villa Park, which kept United on course for an historic Treble, clearly topped the survey with almost 20 per cent of the vote.
It comfortably beat Ricky Villa's own jinking run through the Manchester City defence in the 1981 final, won by Tottenham, into second place.
Alan Sunderland's last-gasp winner to hand Arsenal the cup in 1979 came in third, just ahead of Michael Owen's similarly dramatic late goal against the Gunners in 2001.
The poll was organised by the Nationwide Building Society, one of the FA Cup's five official sponsors, from a 20-strong shortlist of memorable moments.
Nationwide spokesman Chris Hull said: "We decided that we wanted to give every football fan in the country the opportunity to vote for their most treasured moment in the world's most famous domestic cup competition.
"Ryan's amazing goal is a worthy winner and a truly defining moment in the FA Cup's history."
He added: "As an official partner of the FA Cup, Nationwide was delighted to host this fascinating debate. It is a survey which has stimulated many discussions around the country at matches, at home and in bars over the past month."
The top 10 in full were:
1 - Ryan Giggs' solo effort against Arsenal in the 1999 semi-final - 19.4%
2 - Ricky Villa's amazing run in Tottenham's 1981 victory against Manchester City - 11.5%
3 - Michael Owen's last-gasp goal to overcome the Gunners in the 2001 final - 8.1%
4 - Paul Gascoigne's stunning free-kick to take Spurs to the final in 1991 - 6.9%
5 - Ronnie Radford's giant-killing wonder strike in the mud at Edgar Street to knock out Newcastle in 1972 - 5.8%
6 - Dave Beasant's penalty to help clinch Wimbledon's cup final upset against Liverpool in 1988 - 5.6%
7 - Charlie George's winning goal to secure the double for Arsenal in 1971 - 5.1%
8 - Roberto Di Matteo's quickest ever Wembley cup final goal for Chelsea in 1997 - 4.2%
9 - The Matthews' final as Sir Stan finally secured his winner's medal in 1953 - 4.1%
10 - The crowd scene and white horse at Wembley's first final in 1923 as Bolton overcame West Ham - 3.7%