Each team won five ties to reach the final, and overcame one of the 1968 finalists (West Bromwich Albion and Everton) at the semi-final stage.

[1] The victory was Manchester City's fourth FA Cup win, and the first time the club had won a major trophy in successive seasons.

Leicester City started their cup run against Barnsley, but required a replay to overcome their Third Division opponents 2–1.

Five minutes later McArthurs's handball gave Liverpool a penalty, but Peter Shilton saved Tommy Smith's spot-kick.

[9] Like Leicester's fifth round tie, Manchester City's match at Blackburn Rovers' Ewood Park was delayed multiple times due to poor weather.

Everton were renowned for their powerful midfield of Ball, Harvey and Kendall, but opted to play more defensively than usual.

Manchester City nevertheless paid special attention to this area, and instructed David Connor to man-mark Ball.

Leicester City were making their fourth cup final appearance, and their third of the decade, having lost on all three previous occasions (in 1949, 1961 and 1963).

[18] Leicester had fitness doubts over Dave Gibson, Len Glover and John Sjoberg, but initially expected all three to be available for the final.

Both broadcasters devoted several hours to match build-up, incorporating FA Cup-themed versions of other programmes, such as Cup Final It's a Knockout.

[22] As the previous season's league champions, Manchester City were strong favourites, particularly as Leicester were embroiled in a struggle to avoid relegation from the First Division.

[20] Book had missed a large part of season through injury,[25] but upon returning his impact was so great that he shared the award for the 1969 FWA Footballer of the Year.

[26] Manchester City coach Malcolm Allison was not permitted to take his place on the bench, as he was serving a touchline ban.

The Observer's Hugh McIvanney wrote: "Suggestions that Leicester would attempt to minimise the discrepancy in talents by a concentration on defensive spoiling were exposed as unjust…offering the deceptively languid dribbles of Clarke, the thoughtful passes of Roberts and Gibson and the thrustful running of Lochhead as proof that the skills were not all on one side.

"[28] Neil Young and Tony Coleman both had early scoring chances for Manchester City, but missed the target.

Mike Summerbee crossed the ball from wide on the right, and Young hit a left footed shot high into Peter Shilton's net.

[28] Len Glover was forced to move into defence with his team under pressure, but was injured shortly afterward and had to be substituted.

[31] Three days later, the team paraded the cup in front of their supporters before their match against West Ham United at Maine Road.

[32] The good conduct of the supporters of both teams was praised in Parliament by MPs Barnett Janner and Tom Boardman.