Bad boy makes good: Cantona clinches FA Cup
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eric Cantona's progress from kung-fu-kicking villain to all- conquering hero was completed yesterday at Wembley when his goal won the FA Cup for Manchester United, write Dan Fearon and Graham Ball.
United thus became the first side to win the league and cup double twice - the Premiership title was secured at Middlesbrough last Sunday. It was also a record ninth FA Cup victory.
What had been expected to be one of the more exciting finals turned out to be disappointingly mediocre, with United dominating the first half and Liverpool edging the second until Cantona volleyed a mispunched clearance from the Liverpool goalkeeper, David James, through a crowd of players into the net.
Yesterday Cantona said that he would spend the rest of his life in England, something that seemed unlikely 16 months ago when he leapt into the crowd to attack a fan who was abusing him, an act which saw him banned for eight months.
Yesterday he demonstrated how much he had changed when, as he walked up to collect the trophy, he was spat upon by opposing supporters. Cantona responded with an icy stare.
United's manager, Alex Ferguson, was also involved in an incident as his team made their way past rival supporters to collect the cup. Someone in the crowd threw a punch at him and as the post match celebrations started the FA announced that it was launching a review of security at Wembley.
Graham Kelly, Football Association chief executive said: "It is totally unacceptable. I am very concerned about the situation."
Ferguson, however, laughed the matter off. Clutching a glass of champagne he joked with reporters: "If someone had a swing at me he obviously doesn't know how good I am at fighting."
Bookmakers immediately installed Manchester United at an ungenerous 14- 1 to do the FA Cup/Premiership double again.
Match reports, page 32
Soccer songs, page 7
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments