Gary Lineker picks out his top ten FA Cup moments

The FA Cup is back this weekend as the top flight sides get involved for the third round.

Kicking it all off is West Ham vs Manchester City at the London Stadium tonight at 7.55pm.

Gary Lineker will be asking the questions tonight in his role as host of the BBC’s coverage of the match, but as a former winner of football’s oldest knock out tournament himself, what are his own highlights?

We sent our chief football writer Tony Barrett to find out…

Favourite childhood memory of the FA Cup?

I went to the 1969 final as a fan but Leicester lost to Manchester City so I’ll have to say the 1973 final when Sunderland beat Leeds United because everyone loves an underdog that was a game which showed exactly what the FA Cup is about in that respect.

Favourite memory as a player?

Scoring in the 1986 final for Everton against Liverpool was special for many reasons but we went on to lose the game so it’s not that. I’d have to say winning it with Spurs in 1991 even though I missed a penalty and had a goal disallowed. 

Best FA Cup tie seen?

Liverpool versus Crystal Palace at Villa Park in 1990. Palace won 4-3 in extra time and the game had pretty much everything.

Best FA Cup tie played in?

Leicester City 5 Shrewsbury Town 2, March 6 1982. A game that had absolutely everything. Well worth a Google search for those who don’t know of it.

Favourite final?

The one that Leicester win…

Best FA Cup goal scored?

My second in the 1991 semi-final against Arsenal; a shot struck with such immense power that even David Seaman couldn’t keep it out. 

Best FA Cup goal seen?

Gazza’s free kick in the same game. As he lined up to take it I said to him “just smash it” and he did. An unbelievable strike.

Favourite FA Cup moment?

That’s easy. When I lifted it.

One FA Cup tie you wish you could have played in? 

The 1982 final. We lost the semi-final to Spurs so I was gutted to miss out on that one with Leicester. 

Best thing about the FA Cup?

It’s tradition and history. 

Gary Lineker presents live FA Cup 3^rd round coverage of West Ham v Manchester City on Friday 6 January (19:55, BBC One) and Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa on Sunday 8 January (16:00, BBC One)