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
History of the FA Cup was the first man from outside the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to win the Cup. In 1996, Eric Cantona became the first non-British or Irish player to captain a winning side in the FA Cup Final. In 1997, Ruud Gullit became the first overseas manager to win the FA Cup, as his Chelsea side beat Middlesbrough 2–0. Roberto Di Matteo scored what was then the fastest goal in a Wembley cup final, after 42 seconds. In the 1946 final, Arthur Turner, of Charlton Athletic, became the only player to play in the final who never played a