Liverpool v Everton 1989 FA Cup Final
Whilst the 1988-89 FA Cup will always be remembered for the tragic events that unfolded at Hillsborough, for the Final itself the script couldn’t have been written any better, as Liverpool faced their arch rivals Everton in an emotionally charged and highly evocative Wembley final, in which Liverpool would eventually win but Merseyside would be united.
Liverpool started brightly, and were ahead after only four minutes, when John Aldridge hit the back from within inches to the penalty spot where he had missed in the previous year’s Final, but this time there was no denying him a Cup Final goal, and it was a goal that appeared to clinch victory after 85 more minutes of enduring football in the sweltering May sunshine failed to produce another goal.
But just as the ribbons were being fastened, Everton’s substitute Stuart McCall popped up at the back post to force extra time. The Blue’s resurgent with their late goal started brightly, but it was Liverpool’s own substitute Ian Rush who proved to the hero of the hour, as he first swivelled and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, and then after McCall had once again equalised he steered an unstoppable header that was as deft as decisive to make it 3-2 with the second half of extra time still remaining.
But that’s how it remained, and the Reds had fittingly won the cup, providing the best possible tribute to the victims of Hillsborough, on a simply unforgettable afternoon in North London, when both sides of Merseyside played their part in an extraordinary occasion. Now relive this incredible match over again in this specially produced programme, featuring the full uninterrupted 90 minutes and post match reaction as it happened.
Manchester Utd v Newcastle United 1999 FA Cup Final
As United lined up for the final FA Cup showdown of the decade, there were records to be broken. Not only chasing their fouth FA Cup win of the decade and a record 10th overall, they were also on the verge of clinching an unbelievable third double of the 1990’s, as well as vying for the unprecedented treble, with the European Cup Final just days away.
1999 FA Cup Semi-Final Replay DVD
Pivotal in their quest for the treble, United first faced the task of overturning an in form Arsenal in an FA Cup Semi-Final Replay that was to go down in history as one of the greatest matches ever played.
With the original Semi-Final ending in stalemate, the scene was set for a replay in which league rivals Manchester United took on challengers Arsenal in a thrilling encounter that epitomised the drama of the FA Cup. In a heart-stopping 90 minutes fans witnessed a stunning Beckham strike, a gut-wrenching Bergkamp equaliser, the sending off of their captain, and a penalty save from Schmeichel in the final stages of normal time.
But it is perhaps the winning goal, from winger Ryan Giggs, for which the match will best be remembered. In a mesmerising run, in which the ball refused to leave his feet, Giggs carved open the Arsenal defence following a trademark mazy run from the halfway line and coolly slotted home to take the Reds to the FA Cup Final, and a step closer to treble glory.
1999 FA Cup Final DVD
Facing Newcastle, who had lost out at Wembley the previous season, the Magpies were desperate to claim silverware after years of trying, but United had other ideas, and after the drama of the semi-final clash, they proved just too good on the day, despite losing Roy Keane after only 9 minutes.
It was a stroke of tactical mastery from Ferguson that led to United’s opener. Bringing on Teddy Sheringham to replace Keane, Solskjaer moved onto the right of midfield and Beckham switched to a central role, with Sheringham now partnered with Scholes in attack, and within 100 seconds of stepping onto the field, it was the substitute who orchestrated a move that he finished himself by firing through the legs of Harper.
These titles are available at £9.99 RRP from all good DVD stockists and are released on 26th January 2009.
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