Middlesbrough

0-1

West Ham United

 

 

Harewood 78

FA Cup Semi-Final
Sunday 23 April 2006
Villa Park
Winning club receives £900,000



West Ham United manager Alan Pardew couldn't hide his delight as his side clinched a place in The FA Cup Final - and a guaranteed UEFA Cup spot next season - and immediately dedicated the win to his predecessors Ron Greenwood and John Lyall.

Former Hammers managers Greenwood and Lyall both passed away in recent weeks, and Pardew was quick to acknowledge them after Marlon Harewood's goal secured a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

"It’s been an absolutely fantastic season and our fans have had a great day here today.

"We’ve lost Ron Greenwood and John Lyall, and I put one little word on my programme notes today which was maybe it was our destiny to get there.

"We’ve done it and I’m pleased for their families because there’s nothing worse than losing a family member as big as that. So to the two families of Greenwood and Lyall – we did it for you."

He added: "I was overjoyed because our front two had had a battle and Gareth Southgate was terrific, but for them to combine and get the goal was fantastic."

"We were disappointed with the first half but the second half was what we’re all about. We raised the tempo, caused problems for them and got the goal.

"The important thing was that we didn’t change our shape, but our shape wasn’t dealing with it well. In the second half we pushed the full-backs forward, raised the tempo and you have to say the players won that.

"They dug themselves out of a little hole and got a great win. This is a fantastic achievement for a club that’s been promoted and we’ll look forward to The Final."

Goalscorer Harewood was also very emotional at the final whistle after seeing his 78th minute strike send the Hammers to their first Final since 1980.

"The lads put in all the effort and I got the goal - I can't believe it. I'm loving it," he said. 

"We've been waiting ages for this - it was an opportunity we couldn't miss."

Harewood now believes that West Ham can now go on to beat Liverpool and lift The Cup next month: "It's possible - the things we have done this season, anything is possible."