Manchester United did it the hard way in the 1947-48 season, being drawn against top-division opposition in every round. No other Cup winner has had to do that.

United defeated Blackpool in a classic Final 4-2 in that season but before that they had to take on and beat Aston Villa in the Third Round (won 6-4 away), Liverpool in the Fourth Round (won 3-0 at home), Charlton Athletic in the Fifth Round (won 2-0 at home), Preston North End in the Sixth Round (won 4-1 at home) and Derby County in the Semi-Final (won 3-1 at Hillsborough).

Six out of six ties against teams from the old First Division. And United's 'home' matches weren't played at Old Trafford, which was still war damaged - but at Goodison Park, Leeds Road and Maine Road.

They registered 22 goals in that Cup campaign and Stan Pearson grabbed eight of them.

As a complete contrast some teams have won through to The FA Cup Final without playing any top-flight opponents on the way. West Ham United managed it in 1923, Bolton Wanderers in 1926, Blackpool in 1948, Bolton again in 1953 and Millwall in 2004.

To get to their Millennium Stadium date with Manchester United two years ago, the Lions had to knock out Walsall (Division 1), Telford United (Conference), Burnley (Division 1), Tranmere Rovers (Division 2) and Sunderland (Division 1). Premiership United proved too strong for them in the Final, winning 3-0.