The FA Cup Final 2006 was the final and deciding match of the FA Cup 2005-06. It took place on Saturday 13 May 2006 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and saw the 2001 cup winners Liverpool beat London club West Ham United after a penalty shoot-out. The FA Cup 2005-06 is the 125th staging of the worlds oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup. ... May 13 is the 133rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (134th in leap years). ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Millennium Stadium (Welsh: Stadiwm y Mileniwm) in Cardiff is the national stadium of Wales, used primarily for rugby union and association football. ... The Norman Keep, Cardiff Castle. ... The FA Cup Final 2001 was the final game of the 2000/2001 season. ... Liverpool Football Club (usually known simply as Liverpool) are an English football club, and are based in Liverpool, Merseyside. ... For other uses, see London (disambiguation). ... West Ham United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. ...

Liverpool have won the FA Cup on six previous occasions (1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992 and 2001) - four of those coming since West Ham last won the trophy. As well as 1980, West Ham also won the Cup in 1964 and 1975. The Hammers took part in the first FA Cup final to be played at the newly-built Wembley Stadium in 1923, and it was expected that the newly-rebuilt Wembley Stadium would be ready for this final. However, delays in building meant that the final would take place in Cardiff again, as it has done during Wembley's period of rebuilding. Coincidentally, Liverpool played in the first FA Cup final in Cardiff, which was in 2001. For the railway station of the same name, see Wembley Stadium railway station Wembley Stadium is the most famous football stadium in the world, located in Wembley, London, England, which is currently being rebuilt, although it is well behind schedule. ...

In the week before the Final, there was a major crisis when a block of 1600 tickets in the Liverpool supporters' seating area was stolen in the postal system. The stadium authorities refused to reissue the tickets on crowd safety grounds, and threatened to eject anyone found sitting in the block from the stadium and possibly prosecute them for receiving stolen goods. Liverpool F.C. arranged for most of the affected fans to receive tickets from an allocation that had been held back for a lottery among their supporters.

In the Premiership in 2005-06, Liverpool finished third and West Ham came ninth. FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... The 2005-2006 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England. ...

Staffordshire referee Alan Wiley officiated the match. Staffordshire (abbreviated Staffs) is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. ...

Match report

Before the match, uncertainties existed over the both teams' lineups - injuries had prevented West Ham striker Dean Ashton from playing for 12 days and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso limped out of the club's final league match of the season. Both started, but there was no place for Hayden Mullins or Luis García, who were both sent off in the 26 April league match between the two clubs, and were suspended. Dean Ashton (born November 24, 1983 in Swindon, Wiltshire) is an English footballer who currently plays for West Ham United in the Premiership. ... Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi Alonso (born 25 November 1981), is a Spanish footballer who currently plays his club football at Liverpool F.C. in England. ... Hayden Mullins (born March 27, 1979 in Reading, Berkshire) is a professional English footballer. ... Luis Javier García Sanz (born June 24, 1978 in Badalona, Spain), commonly known as Luis García, is a Catalan-Spanish football player. ... April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (117th in leap years). ...

West Ham took an early lead without having a shot on goal. Alonso gave away possession to Ashton, who passed to Lionel Scaloni, who had space on the right wing. His low, driven cross was clumsily dealt with by Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who bundled the ball past his keeper José Reina. 21 mins: 1-0 to West Ham. Lionel Sebastián Scaloni (born May 16, 1978) is an Argentine football player. ... James Lee Duncan Carragher (born January 28, 1978 in Bootle, Merseyside) is an English international footballer. ... José Manuel Reina Páez (born 31st August 1982 in Madrid), is commonly known as Pepe Reina (his preferred nickname), or José Reina. ...

Following some skilful dribbling, West Ham's Matthew Etherington unleashed a shot which Reina failed to hold properly. Dean Ashton raced in to tuck the loose ball beneath Reina's body, the ball trickled over the line. Two shots, two goals for West Ham. 28 mins: 2-0 to West Ham. Matthew Etherington (born August 14, 1981 in Truro, Cornwall) is a professional English football player. ...

From a free kick taken on the wide right by Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's Peter Crouch had a close decision for offside go against him, and saw his scoring effort disallowed. A minute later, Liverpool captain Gerrard delivered a similar ball to Djibril Cissé who volleyed the ball past Shaka Hislop in the West Ham goal. 32 mins: 2-1 to West Ham. Steven George Gerrard (born May 30, 1980) is an English football player with Liverpool F.C.. He is widely regarded as one of the best and the most complete midfield players in the world,[1] and became the second youngest captain (after Didier Deschamps) ever to lift the European Cup... Peter James Crouch (born January 30, 1981 in Macclesfield, Cheshire) is an English international football player, known simply as Crouchy to many fans. ... Offside, off-side or off side can mean: The offside rule that occurs in a number of field sports including most versions of football (see offside law (football)), ice hockey (see offside (hockey)) and, until recently, in field hockey. ... Djibril Cissé (born 12 August 1981 in Arles, France) is a French international football player who plays as a striker for both France and Liverpool. ... Neil Shaka Hislop (born February 22, 1969 in Hackney, London) is a 6 ft 6 inch football goalkeeper who currently plays for West Ham United F.C. Hislop is the first choice keeper for the Trinidad and Tobago national football team. ...

Shortly after half-time, with the score at 2-1, Harry Kewell limped out of the game, just as he did in Liverpool's Champions League final of 2005. Fernando Morientes replaced him. Harry Kewell (born September 22, 1978 in Smithfield, Sydney), is an Australian football (soccer) player regarded by many as Australias all-time best. ... Champions League Logo The UEFA Champions League is an annual international inter-club football competition between Europes most successful clubs, regarded as the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. ... Fernando Morientes Sánchez (born April 5, 1976 in Cáceres) is a footballer who plays for Valencia. ...

Within ten minutes of the restart, Liverpool equalised through Gerrard. Crouch's knockdown is volleyed in by Gerrard from outside the penalty area. 54 mins: Liverpool 2, West Ham 2.

On 67 minutes, a frustrated Alonso was replaced by Jan Kromkamp. Jan Kromkamp (born August 17, 1980 in Makkinga, Netherlands) is a Dutch footballer. ...

In the middle of an attacking move, Paul Konchesky swung in a cross which none of his teammates could reach. It sailed over Reina in the Liverpool net to effect a stunning goal. 64 mins: 3-2 to West Ham. Paul Konchesky © http://www. ...

Despite trailing, Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez brought on midfielder Dietmar Hamann for striker Peter Crouch. West Ham, over the following 15 minutes, made their three permitted substitutions; Bobby Zamora on for Ashton, Christian Dailly on for Carl Fletcher, and Sheringham on for Etherington. Rafael Benítez Maudes, (born April 16, 1960, Madrid, Spain), is a Spanish football manager. ... Dietmar Didi Hamann (born August 27, 1973 in Waldsassen, Bavaria) is a German international midfielder who currently plays for Liverpool. ... Robert Bobby Zamora (born January 16, 1981 in Barking, London) is an English footballer who currently plays for West Ham United. ... http://img54. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... Teddy Sheringham in action for West Ham Edward Paul Teddy Sheringham (born April 2, 1966 in Walthamstow, London, England) is an English footballer. ...

Wasting chances from Morientes and Gerrard, who was now suffering with cramp, Liverpool battled in vain until injury time, when the ball fell to Steven Gerrard, some distance out. His spectacular 35-yard strike stunned everyone. 90 mins + stoppage time: Liverpool 3, West Ham 3.

Extra-time passed without much incident, except for a succession of injuries, due to fatigue or cramp. Both sides were affected, notably West Ham's Marlon Harewood. With West Ham unable to substitute him, he required extensive treatment for a foot injury, and ended up hobbling around the pitch for the final minutes of extra-time. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The final dramatic twist came from a West Ham corner in the final moments of extra-time. Flicked on by captain Nigel Reo-Coker, the ball was destined to sneak in at the far post, but an athletic dive by Reina provides the save of the match, as the ball bounces onto the post. Sami Hyypia tried but failed to clear the ball from his Liverpool goal, but the ball fell to Harewood. Unfortunately for him, his close range volley span wide from his injured left foot. Nigel Shola Andre Reo-Coker (born May 14, 1984 in Croydon) is an English professional football player. ... Sami Hyypiä (born 7 October 1973) is a Finnish football player whose position is central defence. ...

Just as they did in their famous Champions League victory in Istanbul in 2005, Liverpool have taken the match to penalties after a 3-3 draw. In Istanbul, their keeper Jerzy Dudek was the hero, but in Cardiff it was Reina, who had played poorly until his dramatic late save. Reina saved three penalties to win the cup for Liverpool. Istanbul (Turkish: Ä°stanbul, see also: other names) is Turkeys largest city, and its cultural and economic center. ... Jerzy Dudek Jerzy Dudek (born March 23, 1973 in Rybnik, Poland) is a Polish football player. ...

Penalty shootout

Liverpool 3 - 3 West Ham
Liverpool won the toss and went first:

Liverpool win 3 - 1 on penalties. Dietmar Didi Hamann (born August 27, 1973 in Waldsassen, Bavaria) is a German international midfielder who currently plays for Liverpool. ... Robert Bobby Zamora (born January 16, 1981 in Barking, London) is an English footballer who currently plays for West Ham United. ... Sami Hyypiä (born 7 October 1973) is a Finnish football player whose position is central defence. ... Teddy Sheringham in action for West Ham Edward Paul Teddy Sheringham (born April 2, 1966 in Walthamstow, London, England) is an English footballer. ... Steven George Gerrard (born May 30, 1980) is an English football player with Liverpool F.C.. He is widely regarded as one of the best and the most complete midfield players in the world,[1] and became the second youngest captain (after Didier Deschamps) ever to lift the European Cup... Paul Konchesky © http://www. ... John Arne Semundseth Riise (born September 24, 1980 in Molde) is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Liverpool F.C.. Riise is renowned for his shooting power on his favoured left foot and excellent stamina. ... Anton Ferdinand (born February 18, 1985 in Peckham, London) is an English Football (soccer) player, playing for West Ham United. ...

Road to Cardiff

• Both clubs received a bye to round three.
• Square brackets [ ] represent the opposition's division

Luton Town F.C. are an English football team based in the town of Luton. ... The Football League Championship logo The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short or the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the FA Premier... Steven George Gerrard (born May 30, 1980) is an English football player with Liverpool F.C.. He is widely regarded as one of the best and the most complete midfield players in the world,[1] and became the second youngest captain (after Didier Deschamps) ever to lift the European Cup... Florent Sinama-Pongolle (born October 20, 1984 in Saint-Pierre, Réunion) is a French football player who plays as a forward. ... Xabier Alonso Olano, commonly known as Xabi Alonso (born 25 November 1981), is a Spanish footballer who currently plays his club football at Liverpool F.C. in England. ... Norwich City Football Club is a football club based in Norwich, Norfolk, England, founded in 1902. ... The Football League Championship logo The Football League Championship (often referred to as The Championship for short or the Coca-Cola Football League Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the FA Premier... Hayden Mullins (born March 27, 1979 in Reading, Berkshire) is a professional English footballer. ... Robert Bobby Zamora (born January 16, 1981 in Barking, London) is an English footballer who currently plays for West Ham United. ... Founded in 1898, Portsmouth Football Club are an English association football club based in the south coast city port of Portsmouth. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Steven George Gerrard (born May 30, 1980) is an English football player with Liverpool F.C.. He is widely regarded as one of the best and the most complete midfield players in the world,[1] and became the second youngest captain (after Didier Deschamps) ever to lift the European Cup... John Arne Semundseth Riise (born September 24, 1980 in Molde) is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Liverpool F.C.. Riise is renowned for his shooting power on his favoured left foot and excellent stamina. ... Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Teddy Sheringham in action for West Ham Edward Paul Teddy Sheringham (born April 2, 1966 in Walthamstow, London, England) is an English footballer. ... Matthew Etherington (born August 14, 1981 in Truro, Cornwall) is a professional English football player. ... Zurab Khizanishvili (born October 6, 1981) is a professional football player who currently plays in defence for Blackburn Rovers on loan from Rangers. ... Robert Bobby Zamora (born January 16, 1981 in Barking, London) is an English footballer who currently plays for West Ham United. ... Manchester United F.C is an English football club, and is based at Old Trafford Football Ground, Stretford, Manchester. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Peter James Crouch (born January 30, 1981 in Macclesfield, Cheshire) is an English international football player, known simply as Crouchy to many fans. ... Bolton Wanderers F.C. are an English professional football club based in Horwich, Bolton, in Greater Manchester. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Bolton Wanderers F.C. are an English professional football club based in Horwich, Bolton, in Greater Manchester. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Jussi Jääskeläinen (born April 17, 1975 in Mikkeli) is a Finnish football goalkeeper who currently plays for Bolton Wanderers F.C. in the English Premiership. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Birmingham City Football Club are an English football club who currently play in the Football League Championship. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Sami Hyypiä (born 7 October 1973) is a Finnish football player whose position is central defence. ... Peter James Crouch (born January 30, 1981 in Macclesfield, Cheshire) is an English international football player, known simply as Crouchy to many fans. ... Fernando Morientes Sánchez (born April 5, 1976 in Cáceres) is a footballer who plays for Valencia. ... John Arne Semundseth Riise (born September 24, 1980 in Molde) is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Liverpool F.C.. Riise is renowned for his shooting power on his favoured left foot and excellent stamina. ... Olivier Tébily (born December 19, 1975 in Abidjan) is an Ivorian football player who currently plays for Birmingham City F.C. as a defender. ... Djibril Cissé (born 12 August 1981 in Arles, France) is a French international football player who plays as a striker for both France and Liverpool. ... Manchester City Football Club is a football club based in Manchester, United Kingdom. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Dean Ashton (born November 24, 1983 in Swindon, Wiltshire) is an English footballer who currently plays for West Ham United in the Premiership. ... Chelsea Football Club (also known as The Blues or previously as The Pensioners), founded in 1905, is one of the most famous English Premier League football teams. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Old Trafford Football Stadium (given the nickname The Theatre of Dreams by Bobby Charlton) is the home of Manchester United F.C. Located in the borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester, it has been Uniteds home since 1910. ... Manchester is a city in the United Kingdom, considered by most to be the countrys second city [1][2]. It is a centre of the arts, the media, higher education and big business. ... John Arne Semundseth Riise (born September 24, 1980 in Molde) is a Norwegian football player who currently plays for Liverpool F.C.. Riise is renowned for his shooting power on his favoured left foot and excellent stamina. ... Luis Javier García Sanz (born June 24, 1978 in Badalona, Spain), commonly known as Luis García, is a Catalan-Spanish football player. ... Middlesbrough Football Club is an English football club, commonly known as The Boro, currently in the FA Premier League. ... FA Premier League logo The FA Premier League (often referred to as the Barclays Premiership or just The Premiership in the UK and as the Barclays English Premier League or the English Premier League or the EPL internationally) is a league competition for English Football clubs located at the top... Villa Park, in Birmingham, England; is the stadium at which Aston Villa Football Club play their home games. ... The city from above Centenary Square. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

See also

• FA Cup 2005-06 for details of the current competition.
• FA Cup Final for a list of previous FA Cup Final results.

The FA Cup 2005-06 is the 125th staging of the worlds oldest football competition, the Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup. ... For more on the FA Cup and trivia about the finals and champions, see the main FA Cup article The FA Cup Final is the last match in the FA Cup, the oldest football tournament in the world. ...

External links

• Game facts at soccerbase.com