ManU wins FA Cup after Lingard's extra-time stunner
Despite their tumultuous football season, Manchester United ended on a high by winning the FA Cup. The red devils came from behind and survived Chris Smalling's sending-off to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in the final at Wembley. Mata scored the equalizer after Puncheon gave Crystal Palace the lead. The winning goal came from Jesse Lingard who scored a stunning volley in the extra time.
FA Cup or the Football Association Challenge Cup is the oldest football competition in the world. Launched in 1871, FA Cup is the flagship event of football's governing body in England, The FA. It is a knockout cup competition where clubs from any level could enter including the clubs playing in all four divisions of the English Football League, along with non-league teams.
The FA Cup winners qualify for the following season's UEFA Europa League. They also qualify for the following season's single-match FA Community Shield, the traditional season opener played against the previous season's Premier League champions.
Beginning in August, the FA Cup competition proceeds as a knockout tournament throughout, consisting of twelve rounds (six qualifying rounds and six proper rounds), a semi-final and then a final, in May. A system of byes ensures clubs above Level 9 and 10 enter the competition at later stages. The fixtures in each round are determined by a random draw.
Top clubs of English football including defending champions Arsenal, 2014-15 Premier League champions Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool failed to make it to the Semi-finals of FA Cup.
Crystal Palace set up a repeat of the 1990 FA Cup final against Manchester United after securing a 2-1 victory over Watford. Man United, on their road to final, beat Sheffield United, Derby County, Shrewsbury, and West Ham before beating Everton 2-1 in the Semis. Crystal Palace beat Southampton, Stoke City, Tottenham, Reading before beating Watford, on their way to finals.
Manchester United have now won the FA Cup on 12 occasions, equaling Arsenal's record of most FA Cup titles. They are followed by Tottenham who won it 8 times. ManU last won the Cup in 2004.
