Manchester United’s dramatic 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter final ranks as one of the best ties in the competition’s history.
Jurgen Klopp’s faint hopes of achieving a quadruple in his final season for Liverpool lay in tatters after Amad Diallo’s late winner in the 121st minute sunk their bitter rivals after a chaotic game at Old Trafford.
The FA Cup has produced some memorable matches down the years, and we decided to list some of the best.
Tottenham 3-1 Arsenal (1991, Semi-Final)
The first ever semi-final to be played at Wembley was a North London derby that featured Arsenal as strong favourites coming into the game. George Graham’s side were on course to win the league title and also had their sights set on the FA Cup.
Paul Gascoigne and Gary Lineker had other ideas and played leading roles to drag Spurs to the final. Gascoigne’s 30-yard free kick after just five minutes rocked the Gunners, and moments later he was involved in the build-up to set up Lineker who made it 2-0.
Embed from Getty ImagesAlan Smith halved the deficit in the second half, but Spurs wrapped up the win when Lineker scored his second. Tottenham went to win the final against Nottingham Forest, winning 2-1 after extra-time in a pulsating match in which Gascoigne departed on a stretcher after 15 minutes.
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal (1999, Semi-Final)
This was the last FA Cup semi-final to go to a replay and one that is remembered for stunning Ryan Giggs solo goal.
David Beckham gave United an early lead at Villa Park before Dennis Bergkamp equalised with 21 minutes to go. Roy Keane’s lunge on Marc Overmars four minutes left United with ten men. Arsenal fans were celebrating as Bergkamp stepped up to take a penalty in the final moments. Peter Schmeichel saved and United rallied in extra-time as Giggs won the match.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Welsh winger picked up the ball in his own half, evaded the attentions of several Arsenal players before rifling the ball into the roof of the net past David Seaman. United beat Newcastle in the final and completed the season with an even more dramatic European Cup Final win to secure the Treble.
Spurs 2-3 Coventry (1987, Final)
A five-goal thriller to match any other. In the 1987 final, Coventry were underdogs facing a Spurs side who had finished third in the league and had goal machine Clive Allen up top.
The prolific striker scored his 49th of the season after only two minutes. Dave Bennett. equalised before Gary Mabbutt put Spurs back in front. The match is best-remembered for Keith Houchen’s diving header equaliser.
Embed from Getty ImagesMabbutt went from hero to villain when he scored an own goal in the early knockings of extra-time as John Sillett’s side held on to lift their first ever major trophy.
Hereford 2-1 Newcastle (1972, Third Round)
Non-league Hereford had already caused an upset by holding Newcastle to a 2-2 draw at St. James Park and force a replay.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, the fairy tale story was not finished as Hereford knocked out Newcastle at a muddy Edgar Street to become the first non-League club to defeat a top-flight side for 23 years.
The match is often featured for Ronnie Radford’s sensational long-range strike for Hereford, but the winner was scored by Ricky George, who came on to replace right-back Roger Griffiths, who had played 80 minutes with a broken leg.
West Ham 3-3 Liverpool (2006, Final)
(Liverpool won 3-1 on penalties)
The 2006 final belonged to Steven Gerrard, who dragged his Liverpool side to an FA Cup triumph over a valiant West Ham side.
Jamie Carragher’s own goal and Dean Ashton’s smart finish put Alan Pardew’s team in a commanding position. Djibril Cisse halved the deficit before Gerrard brought Liverpool all the way back in the second half.
Embed from Getty ImagesRafa Benitez’s side were in the ascendency but Paul Konchesky’s freakish goal from an attempted cross put West Ham back in front. The Hammers looked odds on to pick up their first major trophy in 26 years but just as the stadium announcer was indicating how much time was to be added on, Gerrard rattled a stunning volley past Shaka Hislop to send the game to extra time, with Liverpool emerging victorious on penalties.
Crystal Palace 4-3 Liverpool (1990, Semi-Final)
Arguably the greatest FA Cup tie of all time saw Crystal Palace defy the odds to beat an all-conquering Liverpool side.
Having been turned over 9-0 in the league by Kenny Dalglish’s side, Steve Coppell’s Palace were clear outsiders heading into this semi-final. Liverpool’s all-time leading scorer Ian Rush made it 1-0 before Mark Bright equalised with his left foot in the 70th minute. Gary O’Reilly then put Palace into a 2-1 lead, but Steve McMahon immediately equalised for Liverpool.
Embed from Getty ImagesAndy Gray’s last-minute header cancelled out John Barnes’ penalty to send the game to extra-time. It seemed inevitable that Liverpool’s quality would overpower Palace but in the second period of extra-time, Alan Pardew towered above Ronnie Whelan to head home the winner.
