Four of the most memorable FA Cup replays
With the recent controversial decision by the FA to abolish FA Cup replays for season 2024/25, we look at four classic FA Cup replays played over the years.
Everton 4-4 Liverpool (20th February 1991, fifth round)
When Merseyside giants Everton and Liverpool clashed in the FA Cup fifth round in a 0-0 draw at Anfield in 1991, nobody could have foreseen what was to come and how memorable the replay at Goodison Park would be.
The game delivered a boatload of drama ending 4-4 and is still remembered fondly by those lucky enough to witness it.
Liverpool kept edging ahead, only for Everton to equalise on four occasions. Future Everton forward Peter Beardsley grabbed a brace for the Reds, with other Liverpool icons John Barnes and Ian Rush also getting on the scoresheet.
For Everton, two of their most prolific forwards in modern history, Graeme Sharp and Tony Cottee, scored a brace apiece. It was quite simply one of the greatest games the FA Cup has ever produced.
The drama wasn’t over even after the action on the pitch finished. Liverpool legend and head coach Kenny Dalglish resigned in a press conference just 48 hours later, citing the pressure of the job as the main reason for his decision.
The two teams played a third game back at Anfield in a relatively low-key affair, with former Liverpool youngster Dave Watson scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win for the Toffees.
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal (14th April 1999, semi-final)
When these two giants of the English game met in the FA Cup semi-finals the pair were competing for domestic dominance.
The first game between the two teams ended in a forgettable 0-0 stalemate. However, far better was to come in the replay at Villa Park, including what is considered one of the greatest goals in FA Cup history.
The Red Devils struck first through a David Beckham effort, but Arsenal’s Dutch forward Dennis Bergkamp equalised.
Bergkamp could have sealed the tie late on from the penalty spot. However, the former Ajax star saw his spot-kick saved superbly by United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. The save took the game into extra time.
The game was won in extra-time courtesy of a fantastic individual effort from United’s Welsh wing wizard Ryan Giggs. He picked up the ball in his own half and slalomed past four United players before firing past Arsenal stopper David Seaman.
The Welshman took off his shirt and waved it over his head, a moment that is now almost even more memorable than the goal itself.
Tottenham 3-4 Man City (4th February 2004, fourth round)
In 2004, Manchester City and Tottenham met in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The first game at the then City of Manchester Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw, setting up a replay at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham cruised into a three-goal lead at half-time thanks to goals from Ledley King, Robbie Keane, and Christian Ziege. Not only were City losing the game, but midfielder Joey Barton was shown a red card for dissent as the two teams were leaving the pitch for the break.
Many fans of the men from Manchester decided to head home early to beat the matchday rush with their team seemingly dead and buried.
Those fans missed one of the most memorable 45-minute performances from any team in FA Cup history. City got a goal back through French centre-back Sylvain Distin just three minutes into the second half.
By the 80th minute, goals from Dutch midfielder Paul Bosvelt and winger Shaun Wright-Philips had levelled the scores. The unthinkable happened in the last minute of time, as substitute Jon Macken headed home to send the remaining City fans into raptures.
Hereford 2-1 Newcastle (5th February 1972)
This tie has gone down in FA Cup history because it saw arguably the biggest giant killings the competition has ever seen.
Top-flight Newcastle must have felt like they had got away with avoiding a shock when they drew 2-2 with their non-league opponents in the first game at St James Park.
However, Hereford shocked everybody by pulling off a 2-1 victory over the Magpies at Edgar Street.
Things seemed to be going to plan for the north east side, as star striker Malcom MacDonald headed them into the lead. Hereford equalised, though, courtesy of an unforgettable 35-yard strike from midfielder Ronnie Radford.
His goal celebration and goal are now considered iconic moments in the competition. However, Hereford was not satisfied with a draw and found an extra-time winning goal through winger and former Tottenham youngster Ricky George.
The goal and game are now etched into the memory of those of a certain age. The tie was the FA Cup at its finest, as a David of the non-league game slayed a Goliath of English football.
What are your favourite memories of FA Cup replays down the years?