Liverpool’s teenage stars netted all three goals as the Reds overcame Southampton on Wednesday night – but who are the youngest FA Cup scorers?
Eighteen-year-old Jayden Danns scored twice off the bench to help his side beat Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round.
The youngster described it as the “best day of his life” as his brace set up a quarter-final trip to Manchester United.
It was also a dream come true on debut for fellow teenager Lewis Koumas, also 18.
Koumas opened the scoring at Anfield on the stroke of half time after his low shot deflected in off Saints skipper Jack Stephens.
Danns then replaced Koumas after the break, adding a brace to seal the victory.
Speaking to BBC Sport at full time, Danns said: “I couldn’t be happier today. Today is the best day of my life,
“I’ve watched Liverpool since I was a young boy and to score at the Kop End is more than a dream. I couldn’t be happier.”
But while manager Jurgen Klopp will delighted with the performance of his youthful charges, they still have a way to go to beat the record for the youngest FA Cup scorers of all time.
Who Are The Youngest FA Cup Scorers?
The FA Cup is a competition fabled for it’s magical storylines. From giant-killing runs – such as National League South’s Maidstone this season – to individual heroics, the oldest competition in the world has it all.
Often a place for young talents to gain experience, the FA Cup frequently gives debuts to the next generation.
These hungry teenage stars are desperate to prove themselves, and often do just that.
In total, there have been eight players aged 16 or younger to have scored in the FA Cup.
Top Ten Youngest FA Cup Scorers Of All Time
10. Rony Lopes (17y 0m 8d)
The fifth-youngest player in Manchester City history, Rony Lopes is their youngest FA cup scorer.
The winger later played for Monaco, Lille and Sevilla, but never kicked on at City. He scored aged 17 years and eight days against Watford in 2013.
His strike added to goals from Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez in a 3-0 win. City would make the final that season, but lost to Wigan Athletic in one of the all-time upsets.
9. Micah Mbick (17y 0m 7d)
Charlton Athletic youngster Micah Mbick netted earlier this season to become the youngest scorer in 2023/24.
The 17-year-old scored on debut in a first round replay against non-league Cray Valley Paper Mills.
Charlton won 6-1, and the League One side rewarded Mbick by offering him a professional contract in December.
85' A DEBUT GOAL FOR MBICK! 🤩
🟢 1-6 🔴 | #cafc pic.twitter.com/7pNLdefhnd
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) November 15, 2023
Mbick became the ninth youngest FA Cup scorer of all time, and is one to watch for the future.
8. Jonjo Shelvey (16y 10m 7d)
It’s perhaps difficult for some to imagine Jonjo Shelvey as a young player, but believe it or not he was once.
Shelvey was just 16 when he scored his first FA Cup goal. Another Charlton player at the time, the midfielder netted in a 1-1 draw with Norwich City in 2009.
He would go on to play for Liverpool, Swansea City and Newcastle United. Now 32, Shelvey is currently in Turkey with Caykur Rizespor.
7. Theo Walcott (16y 9m 22d)
Having exploded onto the footballing scene as a teenager, Theo Walcott has plenty of records.
But the former Southampton, Arsenal and Everton winger has to settle for being the seventh youngest FA Cup scorer.
His first senior goal came for the Saints in a 4-3 win over MK Dons in 2006.
At the time, he was the youngest FA Cup scorer of all time, but has been overtaken half a dozen times since.
Walcott would later win the competition three times with Arsenal, before retiring back where it all began at Southampton.
6. Ryan Sessegnon (16y 7m 21d)
Now with Tottenham, Ryan Sessegnon rose through the ranks at Fulham. Scoring at just 16 years and seven months, the winger netted against Cardiff in 2017.
His goal would be the winner in a 2-1 third round victory on his FA Cup debut. Sessegnon would score again in the fourth round as Fulham beat Hull City 4-1.
Their run would end against Sessegnon’s future club Spurs in the next round.
5. Dele Alli (16y 7m 2d)
Dele Alli may have lost his way in recent years, but was once the brightest young talent in England.
His early years at MK dons saw him score his first senior goal in 2012. At 16, he netted the fifth in a 6-1 FA Cup win over Cambridge City in 2012.
Alli would score five times in 31 FA Cup appearances for MK Dons and Tottenham. He never played in the competition for Everton, but made the semi-final with Spurs in 2018.
He scored in a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.
4. Mason Bennett (16y 5m 21d)
Derby County stalwart Mason Bennet only scored once in the FA Cup. But at 16 years and five months, he’s the fourth youngest FA Cup scorer ever.
Bennet netted in a 5-0 third round win for the Rams in 2013, beating Tranmere Rovers.
3. Alfie Devine (16y 5m 9d)
Into the top three now, Alfie Devine scored for Tottenham against non-league Marine in 2021.
Spurs’ youngest appearance maker and scorer in the competition, his was one of five in a comprehensive victory.
Devine replaced Moussa Sissoko in the second half. His goal followed a first-half hat-trick for Carlos Vinicius and a Lucas Moura free kick.
Still only 19, Devine his currently on loan with Championship club Plymouth Argyle.
2. George Williams (16y 2m 5d)
Another MK Dons player on the list, George Williams takes second place. In 2011, he scored in a 6-0 win over Nantwich Town.
That would be his only goal for the club in his 22 appearances.
Capped seven times by Wales, Williams spent time at Fulham but is now in the National League South with Hemel Hempstead.
1. Finn Smith (16y 0m 1d)
The youngest FA Cup scorer of all time may never see his record broken. With players required to be 16 or over, Finn Smith netted for Newport Isle of Wight FC just a day after his 16th birthday.
He became the youngest scorer in the competition’s long history in a 3-1 win against Fleet Town in the extra preliminary round in August 2022.
Signing with the club just a day earlier on his birthday, Smith marked his debut with a historic strike.
Speaking to BBC Sport at the time, Smith said: “I’m well chuffed,
“I’ve been getting loads of messages from people saying congratulations and how proud they are. It’s hard to take it all in if I’m honest.”
With Newport IW in the tenth-tier Wessex League Division One, it may be some time before we see them on an FA Cup list again.
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