The 1975 FA Cup final was the 94th final of the FA Cup. It took place on 3 May 1975 at Wembley Stadium and was contested by London clubs West Ham United and Fulham. The Fulham team contained two former England captains in former West Ham United captain Bobby Moore, making his last appearance at Wembley, and Alan Mullery.
West Ham United won 2âÂÂ0, with both goals scored by Alan Taylor. The first came in the 60th minute when Fulham goalkeeper Peter Mellor parried Billy Jennings' shot into Taylor's path; the second came four minutes later when Taylor capitalised after Mellor failed to hold on to Graham Paddon's shot.
The 1975 West Ham United team remains the last all-English team to win the FA Cup. The match remains the only occasion that Fulham have appeared in an FA Cup final; it was the club's last major final for 35 years, until the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final.
West Ham United had won the FA Cup once previously in 1964 when they defeated Preston North End 3âÂÂ2.
Fulham had never previously played in an FA Cup final. Their previous best run was to the semi-finals in 1907âÂÂ08 (lost 6âÂÂ0 to Newcastle United), 1935âÂÂ36 (lost 2âÂÂ1 to Sheffield United), 1957âÂÂ58 (lost 5âÂÂ3 to Manchester United in a replay) and 1961âÂÂ62 (lost 2âÂÂ1 to Burnley in a replay).
In the third round, West Ham United faced Southampton at The Dell and won 2âÂÂ1. In the fourth round, they needed a replay to overcome Swindon Town. After a 1âÂÂ1 draw at Upton Park, West Ham United progressed with a 2âÂÂ1 win at the County Ground. They then defeated Queens Park Rangers 2âÂÂ1 at Upton Park in the fifth round. West Ham United faced Arsenal at Highbury in the quarter-finals and won 2âÂÂ0. In the semi-finals, they required a replay to overcome Ipswich Town. After a goalless draw at the neutral Villa Park in Birmingham, West Ham United won 2âÂÂ1 at Stamford Bridge in London.
Fulham faced Hull City in the third round. After a 1âÂÂ1 draw at Craven Cottage and a 2âÂÂ2 draw in the replay at Boothferry Park, Fulham advanced with a 1âÂÂ0 win in the second replay at the neutral Filbert Street in Leicester. In the fourth round, they faced Nottingham Forest. A goalless draw at Craven Cottage was succeeded by a 1âÂÂ1 draw at the City Ground and a subsequent 1âÂÂ1 draw, again at Craven Cottage in the second replay. Fulham eventually advanced with a 2âÂÂ1 win at the City Ground in the third replay. In the fifth round, Fulham defeated Everton 2âÂÂ1 at Goodison Park. They then faced Carlisle United at Brunton Park in the quarter-finals and won 1âÂÂ0. Fulham again required a replay in their semi-final against Birmingham City. After a 1âÂÂ1 at the neutral Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, Fulham progressed to the final with a 1âÂÂ0 win at Maine Road in Manchester.
This was the second time that West Ham United had won the FA Cup. As defending champions the following season, they were eliminated at the first hurdle after losing 2âÂÂ0 to Liverpool at Upton Park in the third round. They would win the FA Cup for a third time in 1980.
Fulham have not played in an FA Cup final since this match. Their best run in the next 50 seasons was to the semi-finals in 2001âÂÂ02 (lost 1âÂÂ0 to Chelsea).