What a day for the beautiful game!
Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 5:16 pm
Commentators say best FA Cup final in 50 Years. Easily best match I've ever seen.
Liverpool came out of the gates rusty, their vaunted defense forced into errors by the blitzing Hammers, including a rare own goal by Jamie Callagher. Minutes later, Liverpool were down 0-2. Something kicked them into gear, and four minutes later Cicce booted a beautiful Gerrard pass into the back of the net.
In the second half, Liverpool equalised with a beautiful Goal from Gerrard. But then one of West Ham's Konchesky lobs a beautiful cross to....the back of the net, just over an outstretched Reina. Hammers are up 3-2.
The game seemed in hand for the Hammers, as Liverpool looked down and out in every phase of the game. Well, except for Gerrard. In the 91st minute, Gerrard scored what we all might look back on as the greatest goal of his career. West Ham had all the momentum. It came out of nowhere, and he was nowhere near the goal. I can't even describe it, but I'm sure it will be up for download at some point soon. I've never seen anything quite like it.
As the regulation time ended, half of Liverpool's side fell to the floor with cramps or other injuries, just managing to get up to play another 30 minutes. West Ham had chances to put it away, but failed to do so. At the end of extra time, both teams looked like the walking wounded.
Which brought it down to penalties. It was unfortunate for West Ham that Liverpool are the best penalty team there is, and they proved it again today. Reina blocked three out of four, and Liverpool made 3 out of 4 giving them the trophy and the glory.
It's unfortunate someone had to lose that match. Certainly this isn't a team who barely came up to the Premiership this year by winning the Championship League playoff last year. Today, they played like a Champion's League side. And quite frankly, they were the better team today for 120+ minutes.
You just have to see this match to believe it.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, my favourite Scottish team (Hearts) were taking on powerhouse Gretna. Ok, that's a lie, because I've no idea who Gretna are. In that match, it went down to penalties with Hearts winning, but still. What an amazing day in the UK for the beautiful game.
Liverpool came out of the gates rusty, their vaunted defense forced into errors by the blitzing Hammers, including a rare own goal by Jamie Callagher. Minutes later, Liverpool were down 0-2. Something kicked them into gear, and four minutes later Cicce booted a beautiful Gerrard pass into the back of the net.
In the second half, Liverpool equalised with a beautiful Goal from Gerrard. But then one of West Ham's Konchesky lobs a beautiful cross to....the back of the net, just over an outstretched Reina. Hammers are up 3-2.
The game seemed in hand for the Hammers, as Liverpool looked down and out in every phase of the game. Well, except for Gerrard. In the 91st minute, Gerrard scored what we all might look back on as the greatest goal of his career. West Ham had all the momentum. It came out of nowhere, and he was nowhere near the goal. I can't even describe it, but I'm sure it will be up for download at some point soon. I've never seen anything quite like it.
As the regulation time ended, half of Liverpool's side fell to the floor with cramps or other injuries, just managing to get up to play another 30 minutes. West Ham had chances to put it away, but failed to do so. At the end of extra time, both teams looked like the walking wounded.
Which brought it down to penalties. It was unfortunate for West Ham that Liverpool are the best penalty team there is, and they proved it again today. Reina blocked three out of four, and Liverpool made 3 out of 4 giving them the trophy and the glory.
It's unfortunate someone had to lose that match. Certainly this isn't a team who barely came up to the Premiership this year by winning the Championship League playoff last year. Today, they played like a Champion's League side. And quite frankly, they were the better team today for 120+ minutes.
You just have to see this match to believe it.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, my favourite Scottish team (Hearts) were taking on powerhouse Gretna. Ok, that's a lie, because I've no idea who Gretna are. In that match, it went down to penalties with Hearts winning, but still. What an amazing day in the UK for the beautiful game.