Ramsey caps Arsenal comeback

Aaron Ramsey scored an extra-time winner as Arsenal ended their nine-year trophy drought by coming from two goals down to beat Hull City 3-2 in a gripping FA Cup final on Saturday. Appearing in their first ever major final, Hull rocked Arsenal by going 2-0 up inside just eight minutes through goals from centre-backs James Chester and Curtis Davies. But Santi Cazorla’s sumptuous free-kick reduced the arrears in the 17th minute and after Laurent Koscielny netted an equaliser with 19 minutes of normal time remaining, Ramsey drilled home the winner in the extra period. “We have conceded early in lots of big games this season, but we showed great strength of character to come back, and to score the winner is something I have dreamed of,” Ramsey told ITV. It was the Welsh midfielder’s 16th goal of a campaign that has seen him emerge as Arsenal’s most influential player and brought Arsene Wenger’s side a first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup. Wenger, who is still to extend his contract, which expires shortly, has now won five FA Cups, while Arsenal have equalled Manchester United’s record of 11 successes in the competition. “We wanted to make history tonight and win the game and we did that in both ways,” said Wenger. Hull faded badly after their stunning start, but Steve Bruce’s side could console themselves with the knowledge that a Europa League place was already secure. “In terms of effort, endeavour and determination you couldn’t fault them to a man,” said Bruce. “Proud? Of course I am. They were magnificent.” Chester had unexpectedly overcome a hamstring problem to take his place in Hull’s three-man defence, but nobody could have predicted how quickly he would have an impact on the game at a muggy Wembley Stadium. Hull’s fans were still adjusting to the novelty of seeing their side in an FA Cup final when Chester put them ahead in the fourth minute, clipping the ball into the bottom-left corner from Tom Huddlestone’s mishit volley. Huddlestone had been picked out by Stephen Quinn from a corner and four minutes later, Arsenal were again exposed at a set-piece. After Ahmed Elmohamady’s free-kick was partially cleared, Quinn put the ball into the box from the left and when Alex Bruce’s downward header came back off the post, Davies rattled the rebound home from a tight angle. Cazorla reduced the arrears with a glorious 25-yard free-kick that arced into the top-right corner. The equaliser came in the 71st minute when Cazorla’s corner was knocked down at the back post and Koscielny swivelled to hook the ball home despite being flattened by Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor. Wenger introduced Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky at half-time of extra time, but it was Ramsey who made the difference, ghosting onto Giroud’s back-heel and drilling an exquisite half-volley into the bottom-right corner.