Arsenal completed a rousing comeback in the FA Cup final on May 14, 2014 to beat Hull City 3-2 and win their 11th title, equalling the then-record. Hull City, making their first FA Cup final appearance, made a dream start to the match, establishing a two-goal lead within eight minutes.
However, Arsenal, who equalled Manchester United’s record of 18 final appearances, hit back with goals from Santi Cazorla, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey.
Arsenal were playing without attackers Theo Walcott and Serge
Gnabry, who were suffering from long-term injuries, while captain Thomas Vermaelen and Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain faced late fitness tests missed the final.
Vermaelen made it to the bench but Oxlade-Chamberlain missed the final altogether.
Hull City’s strikers Shane Long and Nikica Jelavić were not eligible to play,
as they had appeared earlier in the tournament for West Bromwich Albion and Everton respectively.
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Hull had an amazing start
and dominated Arsenal in the first half. Hull City’s James Chester scored the
first goal in the fourth minute, with Curtis Davies doubling the lead within the next 4 minutes.
On the 16th minute-mark, Arsenal were awarded a free
kick on the edge of Hull penalty area. Santi Carzorla scored the free kick for
Arsenal, curling the ball into the top corner of the goal.
At the start of the second
half, Arsenal were constantly pressing for an equaliser and were denied two
penalties before they finally got the leveller in the 71st minute, with Koscielny nodding in from Bacary Sagna’s corner.
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Arsenal looked like the better team for most of extra time, creating
many chances. Arsenal took the lead via a low shot from Ramsey to the
near corner following a back-heeled pass by Giroud.
The referee blew for
full-time with the score at Arsenal 3–2 Hull City, giving Arsenal their first
trophy in nine years since beating Manchester United on penalties in the 2005 FA Cup
Final.