The new decade began with Chelsea achieving the League and FA Cup double for the first time. After the sponsorship deal with E-On expired, a new arrangement with an American brewer was negotiated, and the competition was styled "The FA Cup with Budweiser" from 2011 until 2014. After a season without sponsorship, the venerable competition became The Emirates FA Cup.
Portsmouth, bankrupt and relegated in last place with a nine-point penalty defied the odds to reach their second final in three years under the guidance of Avram Grant, formerly of Chelsea. The team wore a smart strip of white and burgundy trimmed with pink, a reference to their earliest colours but were unable to match a confident Chelsea team, who struck the woodwork five times in the first half.
In the second half Chelsea's Drogba scored what would prove the winner just moments after Boateng's penalty was saved by Cech. Lampard then missed an opportunity to put the game out of reach when he missed a penalty but they finished comfortable winners, recording their first ever League and Cup double.
Due to the European Champions League final being played at Wembley at the end of the month and the need to leave a break before the European Championship qualifiers, the FA Cup final was played on the same day as a full programme of Premier League matches for the first time.
Manchester City's expensive team dominated with some deft play while Stoke struggled to produce the form that had brought them to the final. In the end a goal by Yaya Toure, lashed home from ten yards, was enough to end Manchester City's 35-year spell without a major trophy.
In order to provide a clear four-week break before the Euro 2012 finals in June, the final was played on the same day as the penultimate round of Premier League fixtures with a 5.15 kick off, further devaluing its importance.
2-0 up, Chelsea were well in control until Andy Carroll pulled one back in the 64th minute leading to a determined assault by a revitalised Liverpool. Carroll had a header palmed away brilliantly by Petr Čech from under the bar in with nine minutes left, replays later showing the whole of the ball had just failed to cross the line.
On the morning of the final, the newspapers carried stories that City's manager Roberto Mancini was about to be replaced, leading to a furious response from the Italian aimed at Manchester City's officials. Whether or not this affected his team is unclear but Wigan refused to be overawed by their highly paid opponents and were worthy winners, the decisive goal coming moments before the final whistle and extra time. For the chairman, Dave Whelan, the result held even greater significance than Wigan's first major trophy. A broken leg in the 1960 cup final ended his professional career.
Appearing in the final for the first time, Hull City had a dream start and were 2-0 up with eight minutes played and they could have made it 3-0 if Gibbs had not cleared Bruce's header off the line. Arsenal did not panic, pulling one back in the 17th minute. Under mounting pressure, Hull conceded the equaliser after 71 minutes and were running out of steam as the game moved into extra time. Four minutes into the second period, Aaron Ramsey scored the winner with an instinctive strike and Arsenal had their first trophy in nine years.
Arsenal overwhelmed Villa to win the FA Cup for a 12th time, a record. Furthermore, this was Arsene Wenger's sixth FA Cup win equalling the record held by George Ramsay who stood alone for victories between 1887 and 1920 with Aston Villa, ironically enough.
Manchester United were ponderous as they had been all season under the coaching of Louis van Gaal while Palace were content to sit deep and try to score on the break. The result was a dull match that finally came to life when Puncheon put Crystal Palace ahead after 78 minutes. United hit back three minutes later. In extra time Lingard scored United's second with ten minures to go. Before the teams had left the stadium the press were reporting that van Gaal would be replaced by Jose Mourinho next season.
Chelsea were chasing a domestic double while Arsenal's moderate season had put Arsene Wenger's future in doubt. Sanchez put the Gunners ahead in the fourth minute and his team dominated the first half. In the 68th minute Moses put his team under even more pressure when he was sent off after taking a blatant dive in the penalty area right in front of the referee. Six minutes later, however, Chelsea created an equaliser that came out of nowhere to set up a thrilling finale. Almost immediately, Ramsey put Arsenal back in front. This was Wenger's seventh FA Cup win for the club and their 13th overall.
A penalty awarded to Chelsea when Eden Hazard was brought down by a clumsy foul in the first half proved to be decisive. Converted calmy by Hazard himself, the goal meant that Jose Mourinho's United team finished the season empty handed.
It seems a bit hard on Watford fans who had waited 35 years for their team to appear in the final for the second time that their opponents were in a ruthless mood. City had just clinched the Premier League title, had the domestic treble in their sights and they completely crushed their opponents.
