1996–97 FA Cup The 1997 FA Cup Final took place on 17 May 1997 at Wembley Stadium and was won by Chelsea with a 2–0 victory over Middlesbrough. Di Matteo scored the fastest ever goal in FA Cup Final history 43 seconds after kick-off, beating Jackie Milburn's record from the 1954-1955 final of 45 seconds, which was only beaten in 2009 by Everton's Louis Saha (27.9 seconds). Chelsea were attempting to win their first FA Cup final for 27 years, while Middlesbrough were contesting their first ever final. Chelsea took to the field on the back of something of a renaissance under Dutch
1965 FA Cup Final the final in 1914, when they lost 1–0 to Burnley and in 1950, when they were beaten 2–0 by Arsenal. Leeds were appearing in their first final, the furthest they had reached before was the quarter-finals of the 1949–50 FA Cup, when they lost to Arsenal. The two previous meetings between the teams during the season resulted in a win each. Leeds won the first match 4–2 in August, at Elland Road. The return fixture at Anfield was won 2–1 by Liverpool. Liverpool played Wolverhampton Wanderers a week before the final in their last match of the 1964–65 Football League