The 2006 'Gerrard' final - A re-look at the greatest FA Cup Final ever

England’s most decorated club has another trophy.They had to score three goals in adversity and then see their goalkeeper make three saves in the shoot out.Thats how theyve done it.Thats how theyve won it.Its Liverppol’s FA Cup for a 7th time,and its heart breaking for the hammers

On May the 13th 2006, the Millennium stadium in Cardiff was to play host to the greatest FA Cup final of all times. It was indeed the last FA cup final to be held there. Six time champions Liverpool was up against a two time champions West Ham United. West Ham’s Dean Ashton and Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso were doubtful for the final but they both made the starting elevens eventually, and how big an impact were they to make in the first few minutes!

The stage was set and the fans were in for a cracking final.

The Hammers got off to a dream start when Alonso gave the ball away to Ashton who played a lovely ball to Scaloni on the right wing. He charged forward and sent in a low cross which was unfortunately turned into his own net by Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher, who joined Des Walker(1991) and Gary Mabbutt(1987) in having the infamous recognition of putting the ball through their own net in an FA Cup Final! West Ham dint mind though!  The underdogs were in front just 21 minutes played.

In the 28th minute, it went from bad to worse for Liverpool as West Ham scored again. Another scrappy goal – goalkeeper Jose Reina the guilty party this time. He failed to hang on to Matthew Etherington’s shot and Dean Ashton put the loose ball away to make it 2-0 to the Hammers.

Then, Liverpool were denied a goal, after Peter Crouch was caught offside.

But come the 32nd minute and the fightback was on. Steven Gerrard played a wonderful cross to Djibril Cisse who slotted it past Shaka Hislop to make it 2-1.

In the second half, Fernando Morientes replaced Harry Kewell who had to limp off following an injury. But that didn’t seem to pull back Liverpool as they got back on level terms in the 54th minute thanks to a pile driver by captain Steven Gerrard.

But West Ham were not to give up. Not when they have players like Paul Konchesky, who could swing in a cross cum shot. His swinging cross sailed over everybody and landed harmlessly into the Liverpool net. Jose Reina was having a miserable time – 3-2 to West Ham.

A flurry of substitutions followed. Hamman, Sheringham, Zamora all came on for the last 15 minutes or perhaps a little more.

West Ham looked to have won it, Alan Pardew was all smiles up and until the 90th minute, where after, the drama unfolded. Djibril Cisse pulled up with cramp. West Ham put the ball out to allow Cisse to be treated, Liverpool’s throw-in returned the ball to West Ham deep in their defensive end, and the ball was punted back into the midfield. After an unsuccessful ball into the penalty area, the ball found its way to Steven Gerrard – The last person you need to give the ball away in the dying moments of the game! And then, a low shot from 40 yards out, a stinger for Hislop, who couldn’t get to it.

Fans went wild as Pardew couldn’t believe his eyes. A goal that will go down into the history books as one of the greatest goals in an FA Cup final of all time. Steven Gerrard just couldn’t stop scoring in the dying minutes!

3-3 and so the match went into extra time and penalties…well almost not. If it wasn’t for Jose Reina to deflect a goal bound Reo-Cocker freekick which eventually fell to Marlon Harewood who failed to put it through.

Penalties, as it was in Istanbul and Jersey Dudek was on the sidelines this time. It was all down to Jose Reina and Shaka Hislop.

Dietmar Hamman stepped up for Liverpool, checked and scored – 1-0 Liverpool. But Bobby Zamora’s penalty was saved by Reina and it was advantage Liverpool.

Sammi Hyppia followed suit and it was the West Ham fans who were celebrating now. Teddy Sheringham stepped up and calmly slotted it past Reina. The 40 year old was all pumped up – 1-1

Steven Gerrard was next on duty, who just couldnt miss. And he didn’t – 2-1 Liverpool.

Paul Konchesy sent the keeper the wrong way, but the Reina saved with his leg  - 2-1 it remained.

John Arne Risse then scored to make it 3-1 to Liverpool and Anton Ferdinand just had to score to keep West Ham in the finals but Reina made a third save and it was all over. Liverpool just about showed why they were one of the best when it comes to pressure situations.

This was Liverpool’s 7th FA cup title, having won it before in the years 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992 and 2001.

West Ham were left to ponder as to what went wrong. Steven Gerrard was named Man of the Finals yet again and boy, didn’t he deserve it!