1989 FA Cup Final
Encyclopedia
The 1989 FA Cup Final was the final of the 1988–89 FA Cup, the top football knockout competition in England. The match was a Merseyside derby
between Liverpool
and Everton
, played at Wembley Stadium, London
, on 20 May 1989. Liverpool won 3–2 after extra time, with goals from John Aldridge
and two from Ian Rush
. Stuart McCall
scored both Everton goals. The final was played only five weeks after the Hillsborough Disaster
, in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush, and just before kick-off there was a minute's silence and the teams wore black armbands as a sign of respect. Gerry Marsden
, lead singer of Gerry & the Pacemakers
led the crowd in a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone
.
The match itself was one of Wembley's most dramatic. Liverpool took the lead after four minutes through John Aldridge
(atoning for his penalty miss in the Final the year before), and held onto that lead until one minute from full time. In the 90th minute, Everton substitute Stuart McCall
poked the ball home, and a pitch invasion by Everton fans ensued. McCall had scored just once for Everton before the FA Cup final, having joined them from Bradford City
at the start of the season.
McCall's goal was the last kick of the 90 minutes and the match went into extra time. On 95 minutes, Liverpool substitute Ian Rush
scored with a half-volley on the turn to give Liverpool a 2–1 lead. They were pegged back again just five minutes later when McCall scored his second, chesting and volleying a spectacular goal past Bruce Grobelaar and into the corner of the net. However, Rush had not finished and – just as in 1986, when he scored twice to help the Reds beat the Toffees 3–1 in the first Merseyside derby Final – he got his second in the 104th minute, with a header from a floated John Barnes
cross.
Since the previous all-Merseyside final three years earlier, Liverpool had continued their domination of the English game (they were league champions in 1988 and runners-up in 1987), but Everton had declined since their 1987 title triumph and finished sixth in the league in 1989.
UEFA
voted for the ban on English clubs in European competitions to continue for a fifth season, ruling out Liverpool's hopes of competing in the Cup Winners' Cup
– although they were still in contention for the league title at this stage, and ultimately were only deprived of the title (and a unique second double
) by a last-gasp goal in their final game of the season
. Had the ban on English clubs in European competitions been lifted and Liverpool had won the league, Everton would have been able to compete in the Cup Winners' Cup.
Liverpool striker Ian Rush had now scored four goals in FA Cup finals (both two-goal hauls against Everton) and was one of ten players (five for each side) to have featured in both of the all-Merseyside FA Cup finals.
style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
EVERTON:
|
GK
1
Neville Southall
RB
2
Neil McDonald
LB
3
Pat Van Den Hauwe
CB
4
Kevin Ratcliffe
(c)
CB
5
Dave Watson
CM
6
Paul Bracewell
RM
7
Pat Nevin
CM
8
Trevor Steven
CF
9
Graeme Sharp
CF
10
Tony Cottee
LM
11
Kevin Sheedy
Substitutes:
MF
12
Ian Wilson
MF
14
Stuart McCall
Manager:
Colin Harvey
Merseyside derby
The Merseyside derby is the name given to any football match contested between Everton and Liverpool football clubs, the two most successful clubs from the city of Liverpool in England...
between Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, played at Wembley Stadium, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, on 20 May 1989. Liverpool won 3–2 after extra time, with goals from John Aldridge
John Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
and two from Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
. Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
scored both Everton goals. The final was played only five weeks after the Hillsborough Disaster
Hillsborough disaster
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that occurred on 15 April 1989 at Hillsborough, a football stadium, the home of Sheffield Wednesday F.C. in Sheffield, England, resulting in the deaths of 96 people, and 766 being injured, all fans of Liverpool F.C....
, in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed in a crush, and just before kick-off there was a minute's silence and the teams wore black armbands as a sign of respect. Gerry Marsden
Gerry Marsden
Gerard "Gerry" Marsden is an English musician and television personality, best known for being leader of the British band Gerry & the Pacemakers.-Biography:...
, lead singer of Gerry & the Pacemakers
Gerry & the Pacemakers
Gerry and the Pacemakers were a British beat music group prominent during the 1960s. In common with The Beatles, they came from Liverpool, were managed by Brian Epstein and recorded by George Martin. They are most remembered for being the first act to reach number one in the UK Singles Chart with...
led the crowd in a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone
You'll Never Walk Alone
You'll Never Walk Alone is a song from the musical Carousel, a pop standard and football club anthem, for example that of Liverpool F.C.You'll Never Walk Alone may also refer to:* You'll Never Walk Alone , studio album...
.
The match itself was one of Wembley's most dramatic. Liverpool took the lead after four minutes through John Aldridge
John Aldridge
John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager...
(atoning for his penalty miss in the Final the year before), and held onto that lead until one minute from full time. In the 90th minute, Everton substitute Stuart McCall
Stuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
poked the ball home, and a pitch invasion by Everton fans ensued. McCall had scored just once for Everton before the FA Cup final, having joined them from Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
at the start of the season.
McCall's goal was the last kick of the 90 minutes and the match went into extra time. On 95 minutes, Liverpool substitute Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
scored with a half-volley on the turn to give Liverpool a 2–1 lead. They were pegged back again just five minutes later when McCall scored his second, chesting and volleying a spectacular goal past Bruce Grobelaar and into the corner of the net. However, Rush had not finished and – just as in 1986, when he scored twice to help the Reds beat the Toffees 3–1 in the first Merseyside derby Final – he got his second in the 104th minute, with a header from a floated John Barnes
John Barnes (footballer)
John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE is an English football manager and former player.During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times...
cross.
Since the previous all-Merseyside final three years earlier, Liverpool had continued their domination of the English game (they were league champions in 1988 and runners-up in 1987), but Everton had declined since their 1987 title triumph and finished sixth in the league in 1989.
UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
voted for the ban on English clubs in European competitions to continue for a fifth season, ruling out Liverpool's hopes of competing in the Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
– although they were still in contention for the league title at this stage, and ultimately were only deprived of the title (and a unique second double
The Double
The Double is a term in association football which refers to winning a country's top tier division and its primary cup competition in the same season...
) by a last-gasp goal in their final game of the season
Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal (26 May 1989)
The final match of the 1988–89 English Football League season was contested on 26 May 1989, between Liverpool and Arsenal, at Liverpool's Anfield ground. By sheer coincidence, it was the match between the top two teams in the First Division and the teams were close enough on points for the match to...
. Had the ban on English clubs in European competitions been lifted and Liverpool had won the league, Everton would have been able to compete in the Cup Winners' Cup.
Liverpool striker Ian Rush had now scored four goals in FA Cup finals (both two-goal hauls against Everton) and was one of ten players (five for each side) to have featured in both of the all-Merseyside FA Cup finals.
Match details
| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> | LIVERPOOL: | |||
| GK | 1 |  Bruce GrobbelaarBruce Grobbelaar Bruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar... |
||
| CB | 2 | Gary Ablett |
||
| LB | 3 | Steve Staunton Steve Staunton Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington... |
||
| RB | 4 | Steve Nicol Steve Nicol Stephen "Steve" Nicol is a Scottish former professional footballer. A utility player who played in the all-conquering Liverpool team of the 1980s, he was most recently coach of New England Revolution, and was the longest-tenured head coach in MLS to coach a single club.As a player, Nicol was a... |
||
| CM | 5 | Ronnie Whelan Ronnie Whelan Ronald Andrew "Ronnie" Whelan is a former Irish football midfielder, and sometimes defender, who was an integral part of the dominant Liverpool side of the 1980s... (c) |
||
| CB | 6 | Alan Hansen Alan Hansen Alan David Hansen is a Scottish former football player and BBC television football pundit. He played as a central defender for Partick Thistle, Liverpool and Scotland... |
||
| CF | 7 | Peter Beardsley Peter Beardsley Peter Andrew Beardsley MBE is an English former footballer who played between 1979 and 1999. He once set a record transfer fee in the game and represented his country 59 times between 1986 and 1996, once as captain... |
||
| CF | 8 | John Aldridge John Aldridge John William Aldridge is a former Republic of Ireland international footballer and football manager... |
||
| RM | 9 | Ray Houghton Ray Houghton Raymond James "Ray" Houghton is a retired Scottish-born footballer who represented the Republic of Ireland at international level, qualifying through his Irish father... |
||
| LM | 10 | John Barnes John Barnes (footballer) John Charles Bryan Barnes MBE is an English football manager and former player.During his playing career, Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s, winning the First Division twice, the FA Cup twice, and playing for England 79 times... |
||
| CM | 11 | Steve McMahon Steve McMahon Stephen Joseph McMahon is an English former football midfielder who most notably played for Liverpool in the late 1980s... |
||
| Substitutes: | ||||
| DF | 13 | Barry Venison Barry Venison Barry Venison is a retired English footballer who enjoyed a successful playing career from 1981 to 1997. He later worked as an television pundit.-Sunderland:... |
||
| FW | 14 | Ian Rush Ian Rush Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield... |
||
| Manager: | ||||
| Kenny Dalglish Kenny Dalglish Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and... |
||||
Neville SouthallNeville Southall
Neville Southall MBE is a former Wales international footballer, best known for his time with Everton. He has been described as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and won the FWA Footballer of the Year award in 1985...
Neil McDonald Pat Van Den HauwePat Van Den Hauwe
Patrick William Roger "Pat" Van Den Hauwe is a former professional footballer who made 401 appearances in the Football League playing for Birmingham City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall...
Kevin RatcliffeKevin Ratcliffe
Kevin Ratcliffe is a former Welsh footballer who spent most of his career playing for Everton. He was born in Mancot, near Queensferry in North Wales.-Club career:...
(c)
Dave WatsonDave Watson
David "Dave" Watson is an English former professional footballer who made 12 appearances for the English national team. He is now the youth team coach at Newcastle United.-Playing career:...
Paul BracewellPaul Bracewell
Paul Bracewell , in Heswall, Merseyside), but was brought up in Newport, Shropshire, is an English former international footballer who played as a midfielder, although his career was hampered by injuries as the years went by.-Career:...
Pat NevinPat Nevin
Patrick Kevin Francis Michael "Pat" Nevin is a retired Scottish footballer. In a 20-year career, he played for Clyde, Chelsea, Everton, Tranmere Rovers, Kilmarnock and Motherwell as a winger. Nevin was a fans' favourite at Chelsea during the 1980s...
Trevor StevenTrevor Steven
Trevor McGregor Steven is a football talent scout. He was formerly an England footballer who shot to fame with the successful Everton side of the 1980s....
Graeme SharpGraeme Sharp
Graeme Marshall Sharp is a former footballer. He started his playing career at Dumbarton before signing for Everton for £120,000 in 1980....
Tony CotteeTony Cottee
Anthony Richard "Tony" Cottee is a former football player who now works as a television football commentator...
Kevin Sheedy Ian Wilson Stuart McCallStuart McCall
Andrew Stuart Murray McCall , usually known as Stuart McCall, is a former footballer who played in central midfield. He played a total of 763 league games during his career, the 13th highest of all British footballers...
Colin HarveyColin Harvey
Colin Harvey is a retired English footballer who is best known for his time as a player, coach and manager with Everton. He is married to Maureen and lives in Aughton, Lancashire.- Playing career :...
MATCH RULES
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External links
- Match Report at lfchistory.net