1996 FA Cup Final

The 1996 FA Cup final was the 51st to be held at Wembley Stadium after the Second World War and was held between two of the biggest rivals in English Football, Manchester United and Liverpool.

A few days before the final, Manchester United had secured their third League Title success in four years (1992-93, 1993-94 and 1995-96, coming second in 1994-95). The final was also their third in three seasons, having beaten Chelsea in 1994 and lost in 1995 1-0 to Everton.

Liverpool, on the other hand, were going through a barren spell in terms of trophies, having not won the League title since 1989-90 or an FA Cup since 1992, although they had tasted success in the League Cup in 1995.

The match, despite the rivalry between the two teams, was a fairly unmemorable game, rarely sparking into life.

Neither goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel for United and David James for Liverpool, were seriously tested throughout the majority of the game. However, with just five minutes remaining on the clock, David James tried to punch a corner clear. The ball landed just outside the Penalty area, at the feet of United Captain Eric Cantona, who had scored in his comeback game after a 7-month suspension at Old Trafford against Liverpool earlier that season in a game that ended 2-2. Cantona hit his shot goalwards, through the crowded penalty area and the ball nestled in the back of the goal, winning the game for United.

The win was United's third FA Cup win under Alex Ferguson, having also won in 1990 and 1994.

Match details

footballbox
date=1996-05-11
time=15:00 BST
team1=Liverpool
score=0 – 1
report= [http://www.fa-cupfinals.co.uk/1996.htm (Report)]
team2=Manchester United
goals1=
goals2=Cantona goal|85
stadium=Wembley Stadium, London
attendance=79,007
referee=Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire)

External links

* [http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=259040 Line-ups]
* [http://www.lfchistory.net/viewgame.asp?game_id=2068 LFC History Match Report]