Here is the second part to my best FA Cup Games of modern times from the 1990's onwards. Now we are getting down to some really exciting matches you can watch the highlights of.
Source - Official FA Cup Youtube Channel
5. Chesterfield 3 - Middlesbrough 3 (1997) (Semi Final)
This 3-3 spectacle certainly remains to this day one of the most memorable FA Cup semi finals that the world has ever seen. Old Trafford was the scene and Chesterfield looked in good stead after going 2-0 up in the initial stages of the match. However, Middlesbrough had a strong reply up their collective sleeves, with Ravanelli and Hignett swooping in to send Boro flying, or so it seemed. A staggering last-minute equaliser for Chesterfield stunned Boro fans, but unfortunately they lost to Middlesbrough in the replay 3-0.
This match had not only goal-scoring drama but also a game-changing decision by David Elleray, who ended up ruling out a goal for Chesterfield that should have been allowed.
4. West Brom 2 - Woking 4 (1991) (3rd Round)
When a lower-division team like Woking ends up with a 4-2 victory over a (then) second-division team at any stage of the FA cup, people take notice. This huge upset came in 1991 when Woking toppled West Brom with 1 goal to spare. At the time, Woking occupied the Diadora-sponsored Isthmian League, and their victory remains to this day one of the most exciting victories for Woking yet one of the most humiliating and humbling defeats for West Brom.
Woking were 1-0 down at half time, so the situation didn't look particularly promising. However, a mind-blowing hat trick from Tim Buzaglo propelled Woking into the lead, and West Brom could do nothing but reply with a single-goal, leaving them one short of even drawing the match. This upset came in the third round of the cup, though unfortunately Woking went on to lose in the fourth.
3. Tottenham 3 - Arsenal 1 (1991) (Semi Final)
One @talesfrmthecrypt will appreciate. This match was always going to be one of fierce contention between the two North London sides, a rivalry that continues to this day. The real action of the match began when Paul Gascoigne hammered in a free kick from distance to bring Tottenham 1-0 ahead. Lineker went on to do more damage to Arsenal when he poked in a sneaky shot to make it 2-0. Arsenal's only real fight-back in the match came from Alan Smith's header to bring the game to 2-1.
Tottenham's somewhat likely (though not certain at this point) victory was cemented with Lineker's second goal of the match which effectively slipped through the fingers of David Seaman.
Not as dramatic as many on the list in terms of goals and swing points, but a great one to remember for all spurs fans given it was the semi final and that Tottenham went on to win the cup that year beating Nottingham Forest in the final. For many this match was actually the real final at the time given Arsenal would end up Premier league champions that year - Spurs pulled off a big upset here.
2. West Ham 3 - Liverpool 3 (2006) (Final)
The final to end all finals this one is for Phil Newton, the West Ham-Liverpool match of 2006 will get any football fan up in arms (depending on their loyalty, of course) and is considered the greatest escape for Liverpool in FA Cup Final history. Most will remember Gerrard's incredible performance in this match, scoring two impressive goals to bring Liverpool level with West Ham just in the nick of time to save Liverpool's blushes.
Gerrard's goal to equalise is arguably one of the most impressive in FA Cup history, having been downed by cramp just moments before; we can all agree it was an absolute screamer, particularly when you consider that Liverpool's fate was riding on the goal.
In spite of West Ham's incredible performance (with a little help from an own goal from Carragher), Liverpool managed to win the game after it went to penalties where the performance of Liverpool keeper, Pepe Reina, helped Liverpool emerge the deserving victor.
1. Crystal Palace 4 - Liverpool 3 (1990) (Semi Final)
Sorry @philnewton but the Palace-Liverpool upset of 1990 marks what turned out to be the decline of Liverpool's stellar form in this period. Having beaten Palace six months previously in a staggering 9-0 trouncing in the league, it seemed a sure thing for Liverpool to dominate their already-punished opponents when they met in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park. In particular as Liverpool were the defending cup holders.
Not only did this match see Dalglish's Liverpool side suffer a shock upset, but the match was effectively the beginning of the end for the Red's previously solid form. Moreover, Alan Pardew was the player that scored the winning goal back in 1990 - he was to go on to manage Palace for a year later on his career.
We all know that Liverpool have only just started to get their act together over 2 decades later, and the echoes of this match have reverberated through history. 1990 was the last time Liverpool managed to win the league title (28 years ago). Since then there has been a major domestic trophy drought.
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Anyway, enjoyed this one - think i'm around the same age as you so most of these games I have some recollection of :)
I'm not even a liverpool fan but that gerrard goal gives me goosebumps every time, pure magic of the the FA Cup