We look back at the classic 2006 FA Cup Final between Liverpool and West Ham United

Sunday 05 Apr 2020
Liverpool celebrate winning the FA Cup Final in 2006, after a penalty shootout against West Ham United

The FA Cup Final of 2006 between Liverpool and West Ham United wasn't called the Gerrard Final for nothing.

Having already scored a cracking volley to make it 2-2, the Liverpool captain went one better in the second minute of injury time, with his team seemingly staring defeat in the face.

Liverpool 3-3 West Ham United
  • Liverpool win 3-1 on penalties
  • The FA Cup Final
  • Saturday 13 May 2006
  • The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff

West Ham were leading 3-2 with seconds of the game remaining, when the Hammers defence only half-cleared John-Arne Riise’s cross after Paul Konchesky's goal had put them ahead.

It fell to the England midfielder 30 yards out and with several defenders rushing out to charge him down, Gerrard sent a low, gun-barrel straight volley screaming past Shaka Hislop.

What made the strike all the more remarkable was that Gerrard was laid on the Cardiff turf just minutes earlier, suffering from cramp. But with typical determination, he dragged first himself up and hauled Liverpool into extra-time.

Prior to that, Alan Pardew's Hammers had taken a two-goal lead in the first half after an own goal from Jamie Carragher was followed up by Dean Ashton's strike.

But Djibril Cisse reduced the arrears before half time before Gerrard made it 2-2 ten minutes after the restart to set up the drama.

“When the injury-time board went up we thought our chance had gone,” admitted Liverpool's Peter Crouch at the time. “But it is always good to have a player like Steven Gerrard in your team.”

It certainly is. Gerrard would also score a penalty in the shootout that eventually decided the game and sent The Cup back to Anfield.

And we showed the full game on the official Emirates FA Cup Facebook page on Sunday, so you can now re-live the ups and downs of this Final again.

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels