The Football Association (FA) Challenge Cup, better known as the FA Cup, was inaugurated in the 1871/72 season and, in 142 finals since – the competition was suspended during the two world wars – several players have opened the scoring more or less straight from the kick-off.
Until May 30, 2009, the record for the fastest FA Cup final in history was credited to Aston Villa inside forward Robert ‘Bob’ Chatt, who, according to the FA, scored after just 30 seconds against West Bromwich Albion at Crystal Palace on April 20, 1895. However, various contemporary reports gave times up to 39 seconds and there was a distinct suspicion, later confirmed by Villa players, that the ball had ricocheted into the net off Villa captain John Devey.
The FA Cup final was first played at Wembley Stadium in 1923 and, again, until May 30, 2009, the fastest goal at that venue was scored by Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo against Middlesbrough on May 17, 1997. Di Matteo collected a pass from fellow midfielder Dennis Wise on the edge of the centre circle before driving forward into the open space and unleashing a right-foot shot, from 30 yards, which sailed beyond Boro ‘keeper, off the crossbar and into the net; the goal was officially timed at 43 seconds.
On that fateful day, May 30, 2009, Everton striker Louis Saha did quiz question setters a favour, beating both previous records when volleying home from the edge of the penalty area after just 25 of the FA Cup final against Chelsea. His record lasted 14 years, until June 3, 2023, when it was broken by Manchester City midfielder İlkay Gündoğan. Gündoğan, himself, kicked off, passing directly to compatriot Stefan Ortega in goal. From the resulting clearance, Erling Haaland won the first header and, challenged by Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof misplaced his header directly into the path of Gündoğan, who volleyed into the corner of the net, with goalkeeper David de Gea a virtual spectator, after just 13 seconds.