Alan Sunderland’s 89th minute winner meant the Gunners were on the right side of an FA Cup Classic in 1979 in front of 99,256 at the Old Wembley Stadium.
The Gunners had raced into a comfortable lead and were 2-0 up with just four minutes to go before a quick fire double from the Red Devils set the Gunners back to square one. It was to not be for Dave Sexton’s plucky Reds however, as just one minute after restoring parity they were behind again. An incredible show of character form the Gunners culminated in Alan Sunderland arriving at the back post and firing a volley past Gary Bailey. Unbelievable scenes as the Gunners Banish their FA Cup demons after losing to Ipswich Town the year before.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a pulsating start Brian Talbot nosed the Gunners in front after 12 minutes, turning a David Price cutback into an unguarded net. With just two minutes left of the first half the Gunners doubled their advantage when Frank Stapleton met a sublime delivery from fellow Irishman Liam Brady.
Gordon McQueen set up a grandstand finish when he turned home past Pat Jennings from close range with three minutes to go. The Red Devils seemingly completed the unlikely comeback when Sammy Mcilroy meandered through a sea of Arsenal players before slotting past a stunned Jennings.
It was Alan Sunderland who grabbed the headlines however as, just two minutes after Mcilroy had drew the Red Devils level, the Englishman met another one of Brady’s superb deliveries at the back post, leaving Bailey no chance when volleying home into the near post.
