2006 FA Cup final vs Liverpool

Lore & Background

The 2006 FA Cup final was the last to be held at the Millennium Stadium while Wembley was being rebuilt, adding to its historic significance. West Ham, then a mid-table Premier League side, had defied expectations to reach the final, beating teams like Bolton Wanderers and Middlesbrough along the way. Liverpool, by contrast, were European champions and heavy favorites, having won the Champions League in 2005. The Hammers' underdog status made their performance all the more remarkable, as they took the lead three times and pushed the Merseysiders to the brink.

In Their Own Story

The air in Cardiff was thick with tension and hope. West Ham fans, outnumbered but not outvoiced, sang 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' with a fervor that seemed to lift the team. The match began at a blistering pace: within 21 minutes, an own goal from Jamie Carragher and a fine finish from Dean Ashton put the Hammers 2-0 up. But Liverpool struck back through Djibril Cissé, and the half ended 2-1. In the second half, Paul Konchesky's cross-cum-shot sailed over Pepe Reina to make it 3-1, and the trophy seemed within reach. Then came Steven Gerrard. With 54 minutes gone, he pulled one back with a thunderous strike. Deep into stoppage time, with West Ham's legs weary and their hearts racing, Gerrard unleashed a 35-yard screamer that curled into the net. The final whistle blew at 3-3, and penalties followed. Liverpool held their nerve; West Ham did not. The dream died in a shootout, but the memory of that fight—of nearly toppling giants—lives forever in claret and blue.

Reader's Guide

**Setting the scene:** The Millennium Stadium, packed to the rafters, with a sea of claret and blue and red. The FA Cup final, the last in Cardiff before Wembley's return. For West Ham, a chance to win the trophy for the first time since 1980. For Liverpool, a chance to add to their storied history.

**Key phases:** The match exploded into life early. A corner from Matthew Etherington deflected off Jamie Carragher for an own goal—1-0. Then Dean Ashton, a January signing, latched onto a through ball and finished coolly—2-0. Liverpool responded through Djibril Cissé, who volleyed home after a corner. In the second half, Paul Konchesky's hopeful cross from the left looped over Pepe Reina—3-1. West Ham looked set for glory. But Steven Gerrard, with two stunning strikes—first a low drive, then a last-minute, long-range rocket—forced extra time and then penalties.

**Aftermath:** The penalty shootout saw West Ham's Bobby Zamora, Paul Konchesky

Did You Know?

• This was the last FA Cup final to be held at the Millennium Stadium before Wembley Stadium reopened in 2007.
• Steven Gerrard's equalizing goal in stoppage time is widely considered one of the greatest FA Cup final goals.
• West Ham's Dean Ashton scored just 21 minutes into the match, becoming the first West Ham player to score in an FA Cup final since 1980.
• The attendance of around 71,000 was a near-capacity crowd for the Millennium Stadium.