You might think of Steven Gerrard's influence on key games in the 2004/05 season when he dragged them to a brilliant Champions League victory, the final and the group game spring to mind. However his influence on the 2006 FA Cup final might be his best, on the 10 year anniversary we remember his brilliant goal.
After their Champions League win the season big things were hoped for Liverpool. The Reds finished the Premier League season in third whilst the defence of their European win was a little odd having finished outside of the top four the season before and with UEFA having no plans to deal with the situation they ended up in a group with Chelsea.
They arrived in sunny Cardiff to face West Ham in the FA Cup final as the last chance of silverware for the season. However things didn't start too well for Rafa Benitez' side and own goal by Jamie Carragher put the Hammer's 1-0 up after 21 minutes. Dean Ashton made it 2-0 before the half an hour mark.
Djibril Cisse made it 2-1 before half time and less than 10 minutes after the restart but just after the hour mark Paul Konchesky made it 3-2 with a cross-come-shot that nestled in the top corner.
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With time running out for Liverpool, the trophy on the way to Upton Park and Gerrard suffering from cramp all seemed loss for the Reds. That was until Gerrard popped up with one of the all time best FA Cup final goals in injury time:
The game went to extra time with John Arne Riise coming close to equalling Gerrard's balmy goal before an effort from Nigel Reo Coker was turned onto the post by Pepe Reina before cramp riddled Marlon Harewood could only skew his shot wide. And with it the match went to penalties.
Liverpool won the shootout 3-1 with Gerrard, Riise and Dietmar Hamman all scoring for the Reds, Sami Hyypia had his penalty saved. Teddy Sheringham scored his penalty to make it 1-1 however Bobby Zamora, Anton Ferdinand and Konchesky all had their spot kicks saved by the hero Reina.
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The match however will always be remembered for Gerrard's incredible strike.
Happy 10th Anniversary Stevie.
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