1987 FA Cup final

English association football match January 2021 March 2015 the women's event 1987 WFA Cup final 1987 FA Cup final Wembley Stadium Twin Towers.jpg Wembley Stadium, site of the final 1986–87 FA Cup Coventry City 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2 After extra time 16 May 1987 Wembley Stadium London Neil Midgley (Manchester) 96,000 Sunny1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:13:121987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:20:32 1986 1988 The 1987 FA Cup final between Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur on 16 May 1987 at Wembley Stadium, London, England was the 106th Final of the FA Cup, English football's primary cup competition. It was the third final for Tottenham Hotspur in seven years, the team having won the trophy in 1981 and 1982, while Coventry were making their first appearance. Both clubs were in the Football League First Division that season, giving them entry into the competition in the third round. They each won five games en route to the final, with Coventry beating Leeds United 3–2 and Tottenham beating Watford 4–1 in their respective semi-finals. Both clubs recorded songs to commemorate reaching the final. After a December league match between the two sides had finished 4–3 to Coventry, both Tottenham manager David Pleat and Coventry joint-manager John Sillett anticipated an exciting final. Neil Midgley refereed the match in front of a crowd of 96,000. Within two minutes of the kick-off, Tottenham took the lead. Chris Waddle played in a cross from the right wing and Clive Allen beat defender Trevor Peake to the ball to head it past Steve Ogrizovic in the Coventry goal. The scores were level seven minutes later: a deep cross from Greg Downs was headed on by Keith Houchen to Dave Bennett who rounded Ray Clemence and struck the ball past Steve Hodge into the corner of the Tottenham goal. Coventry's Cyrille Regis had a goal disallowed and then, five minutes before half-time, Tottenham restored their one-goal lead. A free kick from Hoddle was touched on by Gary Mabbutt and bounced into the far corner of the Coventry goal. Midway through the second half, Coventry were level once again, with Houchen converting a Bennett cross with a diving header, which would later be selected as the BBC Goal of the Season. With the game even at full time, extra time was needed to decide the match. The only goal of extra time was scored in its first period when a cross from Lloyd McGrath looped off Mabbutt's left knee and over Clemence for an own goal, making the final score 3–2 to Coventry. The match is regarded by many pundits as one of the greatest finals in the history of the competition, with BBC TV commentator John Motson calling it "the finest Cup Final I've had the pleasure of commentating on". Allen's goal was his 49th goal of the season for Tottenham which, 2021 yes, remains a club record. Having won the FA Cup, Coventry would normally have qualified to participate in the 1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup, but the ban on English clubs in European football following the Heysel Stadium disaster meant they were unable to take part, along with Tottenham who would have qualified for the 1987–88 UEFA Cup having finished third in the league. Background The FA Cup is an annual knockout tournament involving professional and amateur men's association football clubs in the English football league system.O'Leary 2017 63 It is the world's oldest football cup competition.http://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/more/finals The Football Association FA Cup Finals, 1872 – today 9 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20170613182709/http://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/more/finals 13 June 2017 live https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/who-has-won-most-fa-cups-12-most-successful-clubs-arsenal-man-utd-chelsea-liverpool FourFourTwo 5 October 2020 Who has won the most FA Cups? The 12 most successful clubs in the world's oldest competition Sam Blitz 3 August 2020 5 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201005103153/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/who-has-won-most-fa-cups-12-most-successful-clubs-arsenal-man-utd-chelsea-liverpool live The 1986–87 tournament began in August 1986 with the preliminary round, followed by qualification rounds and then the rounds of the tournament itself culminating in the showpiece final.Results Archive – Emirates FA Cup The Football Association 5 March 2021 https://www.thefa.com/competitions/thefacup/results-archive# 1986–1987 According to their level within the league system, many teams received byes through to later rounds. As First Division clubs, Coventry City and Tottenham Hotspur both received byes through to the third round which featured the last 64 teams in the competition.Dunk 1987 476–478 The 1987 final was the 106th final to be played since it was first held in 1872. In the two league matches between Coventry and Tottenham during the season, each side won their home games. The fixture at White Hart Lane in November 1986 was won 1–0 by Tottenham, with Allen scoring the only goal. https://www.11v11.com/matches/tottenham-hotspur-v-coventry-city-15-november-1986-88260/ 11v11 29 December 2020 AFS Enterprises Tottenham Hotspur v Coventry City, 15 November 1986 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212058/https://www.11v11.com/matches/tottenham-hotspur-v-coventry-city-15-november-1986-88260/ live The return match at Coventry's Highfield Road was held one month later, shortly after Christmas. https://www.11v11.com/teams/tottenham-hotspur/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Coventry%20City/ 11v11 AFS Enterprises 28 December 2020 Tottenham Hotspur football club: record v Coventry City 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212105/https://www.11v11.com/teams/tottenham-hotspur/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Coventry%20City/ live In a match described by Coventry City historian Jim Brown as an "epic encounter", Tottenham led 2–1 at half-time but Dave Bennett turned the game around after the interval with two goals in four minutes.Brown 1998 103British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002324/19861228/284/0025 Sunday Independent Coventry 4 Tottenham 3 28 December 1986 28 December 2020 25 subscription Tottenham thought they had salvaged a point with a Nico Claesen equaliser two minutes before the end but Cyrille Regis scored in injury time to secure a 4–3 win for Coventry.Brassington 1989 111 Tottenham finished the league campaign in third place, while Coventry ended in tenth position. https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/1987/ 11v11 28 December 2020 AFS Enterprises League Division One end of season table for 1986–87 season 11 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200711220938/https://www.11v11.com/league-tables/league-division-one/1987/ live The 1987 final was Tottenham Hotspur's third FA Cup final in seven years and eighth overall, their most recent appearance being the 1982 FA Cup Final where they beat Queens Park Rangers 1–0 in a replay after drawing the original final 1–1. Coventry were making their first domestic cup final appearance. Route to the final 1986–87 FA Cup Coventry City +Coventry's route to the finalRoundOppositionScore3rdBolton Wanderers (H)3–04thManchester United (A)1–05thStoke City (A)1–0QFSheffield Wednesday (A)3–1SFLeeds United (N)3–2Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue Coventry began their FA Cup campaign in the third round with a match against Third Division side Bolton Wanderers at Highfield Road in early January. Coventry won 3–0 in frozen conditions,Brown 1998 103 with Greg Downs, Regis and Bennett scoring the goals. The club's manager for the 1986–87 season was George Curtis, with John Sillett as first-team coach; the two were effectively joint managers.Brown 1998 102https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/jimmy-hill-george-curtis-named-3024968 Coventry Telegraph 25 April 2013 Andy Turner 12 January 2021 Jimmy Hill and George Curtis named Coventry City Life Presidents 12 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210112161313/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/jimmy-hill-george-curtis-named-3024968 live Their fourth-round match was away against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Curtis told the press before the game that "our name is on the cup", but United were the firm favourites.Brassington 1989 111 The game was once again played on a frozen pitch and Coventry won 1–0 through a Keith Houchen goal. Recently appointed United manager Alex Ferguson cited Coventry's better play for his team's defeat, saying "their players were prepared to risk life and limb – ours weren't".https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/blast-past-1987-fa-cup-3031956 Blast From The Past 1987 FA Cup: Manchester Utd 0 Coventry City 1 Coventry Telegraph 28 January 2012 27 December 2020 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212103/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/blast-past-1987-fa-cup-3031956 live Another away match followed in the fifth round, this time at Stoke City of the Second Division, who had suffered only one defeat since November.https://www.11v11.com/teams/stoke-city/tab/matches/season/1987/ AFS Enterprises 11v11 Stoke City football club match record: 1987 27 December 2020 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212108/https://www.11v11.com/teams/stoke-city/tab/matches/season/1987/ live The home side played better in the first half but Coventry withstood the pressure and once again took the game 1–0, Micky Gynn scoring on the rebound after David Phillips had failed to convert a Nick Pickering cross in the 72nd minute. The quarter-final was at Hillsborough against Sheffield Wednesday and scores were level after a first-half Regis goal was cancelled out by a 67th-minute equaliser by Gary Megson but Coventry scored twice in the final stages to progress to their first ever semi-final, against Leeds United.Brassington 1989 112 The semi-final was also played at Hillsborough, this time as a neutral venue, and 27,000 Coventry supporters travelled to Sheffield for the game. Leeds were in the Second Division at the time and Coventry were pre-match favourites,Brown 1998 104–105 but Leeds started better, forcing goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic to make two early saves and taking the lead after 14 minutes.Brassington 1989 112 Coventry played better after going behind, with Regis going close to scoring on three occasions,Brown 1998 104–105 and eventually equalised after 69 minutes through a Gynn goal. Houchen's goal ten minutes later gave them a 2–1 lead but Leeds equalised with seven minutes remaining.Brassington 1989 112 Bennett scored nine minutes into extra time and Coventry held on for the win.Brown 1998 104–105 Tottenham Hotspur +Tottenham Hotspur's route to the finalRoundOppositionScore3rdScunthorpe United (H)3–24thCrystal Palace (H)4–05thNewcastle United (H)1–0QFWimbledon (A)2–0SFWatford (N)4–1Key: (H) = Home venue; (A) = Away venue; (N) = Neutral venue Tottenham also began their FA Cup campaign in the third round, with a home match against Fourth Division side Scunthorpe United. It was Scunthorpe's first game at White Hart Lane, and despite the large separation in league position, the two sides were evenly matched in the first half. Gary Mabbutt opened the scoring for Tottenham on 19 minutes, before Steve Johnson equalised for the visitors four minutes later. With the cold wind at their backs, Tottenham began to control the game after half-time, opening up a 3–1 lead through Claesen and Chris Waddle goals. Ken DeMange made it 3–2 late in the game, and Scunthorpe had the chance to force a replay in the final minute through a Johnson header, but it was saved by Tottenham goalkeeper Ray Clemence.British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19870111/141/0016 Sunday Tribune Soccer Briefs 11 January 1987 28 December 2020 16 subscription Tottenham's fourth-round match was more straightforward, as they beat Second Division Crystal Palace 4–0 at White Hart Lane. Mabbutt and a Gary O'Reilly own-goal made it 2–0 at half-time, before a Clive Allen penalty and Claesen goal sealed the game.British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19870201/143/0015 Sunday Tribune Soccer Briefs 1 February 1987 28 December 2020 15 subscription In a match described by Martin Howey of the Newcastle Journal as "captivating", Tottenham beat fellow First Division side Newcastle United 1–0 in the fifth round. The game's only goal was scored by Allen, again from the penalty spot, after Newcastle's Peter Jackson was deemed by the referee to have fouled Richard Gough.British Newspaper Archive subscription https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19870223/175/0014 Newcastle Journal Howey Martin Time to get tough, Willie 23 February 1987 28 December 2020 14 Their quarter-final opponents were Wimbledon, who had advanced to that round of the competition for the first time.British Newspaper Archive subscription https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000578/19870316/408/0022 Aberdeen Press and Journal Hoddle spurs Tottenham 16 March 1987 28 December 2020 22 British Newspaper Archive subscription https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002240/19870223/175/0014 Newcastle Journal Everton battered into submission by Fashanu 23 February 1987 28 December 2020 14 In a scrappy game, featuring numerous free kicks and offside decisions, Wimbledon held on until 80 minutes after which late goals by Glenn Hoddle and Waddle sealed a 2–0 win for Tottenham. Manager David Pleat said afterwards that his team had performed well defensively, despite Wimbledon's style of play being "difficult to contend with". In the semi-final, played in April 1987 at the neutral venue of Villa Park in Birmingham, Tottenham faced Graham Taylor's Watford. Despite playing into the wind in the first half, Tottenham dominated the game from the start. They took the lead after 11 minutes when Steve Hodge followed up a long-range Allen shot, which Watford goalkeeper Gary Plumley had failed to hold. Two minutes later, Plumley was beaten again when John McClelland deflected another Allen shot into his own goal. Watford began to create more chances as Tottenham eased off, forcing Clemence to make two difficult saves in succession. But the Londoners reasserted control 10 minutes before half-time as Paul Allen retrieved a cleared corner, beat two defenders and fired a left-footed shot past Plumley. Claesen replaced the injured Allen on 75 minutes, helping to set up Tottenham's fourth goal with his first touch. Claesen's pass reached Ossie Ardiles, who in turn passed to Waddle, whose lay-off was finished by Hodge. Watford then scored a late consolation goal through Malcolm Allen, giving a final score of 4–1 to Tottenham.British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002321/19870412/211/0016 Sunday Tribune John Giles Hot Spurs march on 12 April 1987 28 December 2020 16 subscription Match Pre-match Both clubs recorded songs to commemorate reaching the final. London musicians Chas & Dave released a song called "Hot Shot Tottenham!" which reached number 18 in the UK Singles Chart.Roberts 2005 514 Coventry's single "Go for It" reached number 61.Roberts 2005 123 Having never lost in their seven previous finals, Tottenham were considered by bookmakers as heavy favourites to win.Brown 1998 105 All but one of the 13 players in their squad had played international football, many with considerable Wembley experience, and striker Allen had netted 48 goals in the season to date. By contrast, Coventry had only one international in Phillips, and only four of their players had appeared at the national stadium.https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2014/may/16/fa-cup-final-tottenham-coventry-classic-1987 16 May 2014 The Guardian Steven Pye How Coventry City shocked Tottenham Hotspur to win the 1987 FA Cup final 29 December 2020 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212102/https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2014/may/16/fa-cup-final-tottenham-coventry-classic-1987 live Speaking a week before the game, Irish defender Jimmy Holmes, who had previously played for both clubs, predicted that with the talent of Hoddle, Ardiles, Waddle, Hodge and Allen, Tottenham would be hard to beat. He did not write off Coventry's chances altogether, however, noting that "if they go at [Tottenham], and keep them under pressure, anything is possible".British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002324/19870510/293/0027 Sunday Independent Ireland Coventry must attack from the start 10 May 1987 5 March 2021 27 subscription Recalling the league game at Highfield Road, Pleat predicted an exciting game, noting that "neither side knows how to defend, and both have pace in midfield"; he also expressed optimism that the players and supporters would approach match "in a good spirit" citing improved refereeing, a reduction in hooliganism in English football, and increased crowds. Sillett also predicted an exciting final, saying "it could be a classic – and it won't be for the want of trying".British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000564/19870516/161/0015 Dundee Courier Wembley thriller on the cards 16 May 1987 5 March 2021 15 subscription Both sides adopted a 4–4–2 formation.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:09:44–00:10:44 Coventry had to play without regular full-back Brian Borrows, after he suffered an injury in the season's final league game. His place in the starting 11 was taken by midfielder Gynn, with Phillips moving from the midfield to the defence to replace Borrows.Brassington 1989 113 Tottenham fielded a full-strength squad, with Chris Hughton playing at right back in place of Gary Stevens. Hughton had missed all but ten of the team's games since November due to an injury but was fit for the final, and Pleat's decision was influenced in part by Stevens's potential versatility as a substitute.British Newspaper Archive https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000445/19870515/338/0020 Aberdeen Evening Express Hughton in Spurs line-up 15 May 1987 28 December 2020 20 subscription It was the first season in which teams were allowed to select two substitutes for an FA Cup match.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:02:42–00:02:53 Tottenham wore all-white kit while Coventry played in blue-and-white striped shirts, navy shorts and blue socks. https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/66221961/the-guardian/ The Guardian Newspapers.com 28 December 2020 David Lacey Allen key to the final dream 16 May 1987 17 subscription 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212108/https://theguardian.newspapers.com/clip/66221961/the-guardian/ live In the league match at Highfield Road, the referee had deemed the two kits too similar in colour and, because they had not brought their away kit, Tottenham had been ordered to wear Coventry's yellow away shirts.https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/jim-browns-column-3055029 Coventry Telegraph Jim Brown's column 9 October 2010 29 December 2020 Jim Brown 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212109/https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/jim-browns-column-3055029 live There was no such issue with their kit for the final, although due to a mix-up only half of the Tottenham players wore the Holsten sponsorship on their shirts. https://talksport.com/football/fa-cup/460843/tottenham-kit-sponsor-1987-fa-cup-final-holsten/ Talksport 28 December 2020 26 March 2020 The Tottenham kit mistake that saw some players walk out without a sponsor during 1987 FA Cup final Damian Mannion 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212106/https://talksport.com/football/fa-cup/460843/tottenham-kit-sponsor-1987-fa-cup-final-holsten/ live The referee for the match was Neil Midgley of Greater Manchester. https://www.11v11.com/matches/coventry-city-v-tottenham-hotspur-16-may-1987-215789/ 11v11 4 January 2021 Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur, 16 May 1987 AFS Enterprises 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212101/https://www.11v11.com/matches/coventry-city-v-tottenham-hotspur-16-may-1987-215789/ live After the national anthem was played, the Duchess of Kent was introduced to both sides by their respective captains, while accompanied by Bert Millichip, chairman of the Football Association.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:05:10–00:09:18 First half right|thumb|upright|alt=Clive Allen|Clive Allen (pictured in 2016) opened the scoring in the 1987 FA Cup Final with his 49th goal of the season. Tottenham kicked off the match around 3p.m. in front of a Wembley crowd of 96,000 and in hot conditions.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:13:121987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:20:32 Within two minutes of the kick-off, Tottenham took the lead. Waddle played in a cross from the right wing and Clive Allen beat defender Trevor Peake to the ball to head it past Coventry's Ogrizovic for his 49th goal of the season.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:14:59–00:21:35 In the fifth minute, Regis played a pass to Downs on the left wing, whose deep cross was fingertipped out by Clemence for a corner, which came to nothing.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:17:49–00:18:30 Three minutes later, Mitchell Thomas fouled Gynn deep in the Tottenham half: the resulting free kick was eventually cleared to Gynn who passed to Regis whose cross was cleared but the ball fell to Phillips and his snap-shot was deflected away.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:20:46–00:15:13 Coventry maintained the pressure and in the ninth minute levelled the score. A deep cross from Downs was headed on by Houchen to Bennett who rounded Clemence and struck the ball past Hodge into the corner of the Tottenham goal.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:21:40–00:21:48 Two minutes later, a high cross from Houchen was dropped by Clemence but cleared by Hughton.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:23:12–00:23:16 In the 18th minute, Hoddle was fouled by Pickering around 25 yd from the Coventry goal: Waddle's left-footed direct free kick flew narrowly over the bar.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:30:57–00:31:29 Midway through the first half, Coventry won a throw-in deep in Tottenham territory. The long throw from Phillips was flicked on by Houchen before Regis headed it into the goal past a diving Clemence but it was disallowed for a push on Thomas.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:35:04–00:35:25 In the 27th minute, Hoddle's out-swinging corner was headed goalbound by Gough but was defended by Peake whose defensive header looped into the hands of Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:39:19–00:39:26 Three minutes later, a backpass from Peake was chased down by Clive Allen, forcing Orgizovic to run from his area and make a hurried clearance which was intercepted by Hoddle. The Tottenham midfielder's shot was blocked by Peake whose pass to Ogrizovic was misplaced, allowing Clive Allen another chance which this time he struck into the side-netting.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:42:48–00:43:04 In the 32nd minute, Waddle shot from around 25 yd but his low strike was gathered by Ogrizovic before Clive Allen could capitalise.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:44:20–00:44:24 Waddle then dribbled the ball from just outside the centre circle before taking a diagonal shot which was stopped by Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:45:20–00:45:28 The Coventry goalkeeper made another save from Waddle minutes later with another low shot from outside the area.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:46:44–00:46:48 In the 35th minute, a quick break from Coventry saw Regis run at the Tottenham defence before passing the ball through to Gynn. His shot was low and hard to Clemence's right-hand side but the Tottenham goalkeeper saved before Mabbutt cleared it out.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:47:19–00:47:30 Two minutes later, Thomas passed the ball to Hodge on the left side, halfway into the Coventry half. He took the ball to the goal line before his cross-come-shot had to be tipped behind by Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:49:39–00:49:48 A long free kick from just over the halfway line was lofted by Brian Kilcline to the edge of the Tottenham penalty area where Houchen headed it on: the ball fell to Pickering who held off his marker to turn and shoot but the ball bounced into Clemence's hands.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:50:59–00:51:06 Late in the half, Pickering fouled Paul Allen on the right-hand touchline, midway into the Coventry half. Hoddle's free kick into the penalty area flew over three defenders and fell to Mabbutt whose left-footed strike bounced into the Coventry goal to make it 2–1 to Tottenham after 41 minutes.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:52:48–00:53:23 It was not initially clear who had got the final touch, and the BBC TV commentators initially credited the goal as an own goal to Kilcline: not until after the match did Mabbutt get the credit. In the final minute of the first half, a high cross from Kilcline from the right-hand side of the pitch was headed by Mabbutt into the path of Regis. He flicked it first time to Pickering whose shot on the turn was defended by Gough to allow Clemence to gather the ball.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:57:39–00:57:49 After a brief period of stoppage time, the referee blew the whistle to end the half.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 00:58:44 Second half Neither side made any changes to their teams during the half-time period, and Coventry got the second half underway.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:05:21 In the 49th minute, Hoddle was dispossessed by Lloyd McGrath and the ball fell to Gynn. His run down the right wing culminated in a low cross into the Tottenham penalty area which was cleared by Gough.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:08:14–01:18:29 From the resulting throw-in, Tottenham made a quick break from deep in their own half, and a high ball from Hoddle found Clive Allen with space on the right-hand side of the pitch. He dribbled towards the Coventry penalty area, cut onto his left foot and struck the ball high and wide of the goal.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:08:46–01:08:58 On 54 minutes, a poor defensive clearance from Peake was collected by Hughton who played the ball to Hoddle: his mazy run towards the Coventry area ended with a cross which was narrowly missed by Clive Allen but caught by Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:13:55–01:14:08 Almost immediately, a long ball upfield from Kilcline found Gynn amongst four Tottenham defenders: he strode towards the penalty area but his attempted pass was cut out by Gough.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:14:27–01:14:36 In the 59th minute, a free kick from Downs was headed on to Kilcline whose header was caught by Clemence.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:18:00–01:18:10 In the 63rd minute, a long goal-kick from Ogrizovic was headed on by Regis to Houchen. He controlled the ball before passing out to Bennett on the right wing while continuing his run into the Tottenham penalty area. Bennett controlled the ball before producing a right-footed cross which Houchen struck past Clemence with a diving header into the bottom-left corner of the goal to make it 2–2.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:22:50–01:23:06 Six minutes later, Waddle cut in from the right wing and passed to Hoddle who held the ball up before nutmegging McGrath to find Paul Allen in the penalty area: his shot was caught by Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:29:11–01:29:21 In the 70th minute, a quick throw-in from Bennett found Phillips whose cross into the box was headed goalward by Houchen but was saved by Clemence low to his left.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:29:56–01:30:08 Paul Allen's 73rd minute shot from distance cleared the Coventry bar.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:33:17–01:33:21 On 79 minutes, Hoddle played the ball from deep in the Coventry half on the right wing into the penalty area to Hodge. He turned his defender to make a low cross which was struck high and wide by Clive Allen.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:38:49–01:38:57 Waddle then received the ball from a throw-in just into the Coventry half: he advanced and struck a left-footed shot from around 30 yd past the post.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:40:44–01:40:55 In the 82nd minute, Regis received the ball following a flick-on from an Ogrizovic goal-kick, and ran with it into the Tottenham penalty area. With six defenders in his way, eventually the ball was collected by Clemence.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:41:54–01:42:12 With less than two minutes of regulation time remaining, Hughton crossed from the right into the Coventry box, where Clive Allen controlled it before shooting on the turn from close range: Ogrizovic saved it with his foot.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:48:15–01:48:21 In the 89th minute, Coventry made the first substitution of the match, with Graham Rodger coming on to replace Kilcline who had sustained an injury in an earlier mis-timed tackle on Mabbutt.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:48:42–01:48:59 The scores stayed level until full-time and the game went into extra time.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:52:04 Extra time During the break, Tottenham made their first substitution of the game, with Stevens coming on to replace Ardiles, before Tottenham kicked off the first period of extra time.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:54:24–01:54:49 Five minutes into extra time, Hodge received the ball in his own half and ran towards the Coventry goal, beating three defenders before his shot was blocked by Downs on the edge of the penalty area.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 01:59:22–01:59:34 In the 96th minute, Rodger picked up a loose ball from Tottenham and advanced over the half-way line before sending a left-footed pass out to McGrath in space on the right wing. McGrath then ran into the Tottenham penalty area and crossed the ball which Mabbutt deflected upwards off his left knee and over Clemence to score an own goal, making it 3–2 to Coventry.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:00:21–02:00:35 Before the teams kicked off again, Tottenham made their second and final substitution, Claesen coming on to replace Hughton.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:01:23–02:01:26 With five minutes of the first period of extra time remaining, Coventry broke quickly from their own half, as Bennett found Gynn. He dribbled to the edge of the Tottenham box before being fouled by Gough; the resulting free kick was struck straight into Hoddle in the defensive wall.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:04:14–02:05:19 Two minutes later, Bennett played the ball into the penalty area to the feet of Houchen whose low first-time shot was saved by Clemence down to his right.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:05:54–02:06:03 The referee brought the first period of extra time to a close, with the score 3–2 to Coventry. No change was made by the Coventry team during the break and they kicked off the second period of extra time.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:10:57 Neither side dominated the early stages, but in the 109th minute, Gynn made an incisive run towards the edge of the Tottenham area, laying the ball off to Pickering whose placed shot went wide and high of the goal.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:13:26–02:13:31 With ten minutes to go, a corner from Hoddle was punched away by Ogrizovic, and Bennett cleared the danger.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:06:14–02:06:15 In the 112th minute, Regis had the ball on the corner of the Tottenham penalty area and passed to Gynn who ran towards the goal, but his strike was wide of the post.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:18:01–02:18:12 Clive Allen then saw his weak shot easily picked up by Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:19:14–02:19:16 With three minutes remaining, a wayward pass from Mabbutt was intercepted by Bennett who quickly passed to Gynn. He ran into the Tottenham area, rode the challenge of Stevens and took the ball wide before shooting, but Clemence caught the strike.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:22:01–02:22:11 Coventry began to run down the clock by keeping possession but Tottenham still had a long-range volley from Hoddle which was gathered by Ogrizovic.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:26:16–02:26:19 It proved to be the final chance of the game as the referee blew the whistle for full time, with Coventry winning the FA Cup for the first time in their history.1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987, 02:26:35 Details 16 May 1987 15:00 Coventry City 3–2 yes Report Tottenham Hotspur Bennett 9Houchen 63Mabbutt 96 o.g. C. Allen 2Mabbutt 41 Wembley Stadium, London 96,000 Neil Midgley (Manchester) Football kit (sky blue and white vertically striped jersey; dark blue shorts with white side-stripes; and sky blue socks) _white_stripes _whitestripes _white_stripes _whitesides 3BB9FF 3BB9FF 3BB9FF 000080 3BB9FF Coventry Football kit (white jersey; white shorts; and white socks) FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Tottenham Hotspur GK 1 ENG Steve OgrizovicRB 2 WAL David PhillipsLB 3 ENG Greg DownsMF 4 ENG Lloyd McGrathCB 5 ENG Brian Kilcline (c) 89CB 6 ENG Trevor PeakeMF 7 ENG Dave BennettMF 8 ENG Micky GynnCF 9 ENG Cyrille RegisCF 10 ENG Keith HouchenMF 11 ENG Nick PickeringSubstitutes:DF 14 ENG Graham Rodger 89MF 12 ENG Steve SedgleyManager:ENG John Sillett and ENG George Curtis GK 1 ENG Ray ClemenceRB 2 IRL Chris Hughton 97LB 3 ENG Mitchell ThomasMF 4 ENG Steve HodgeCB 5 SCO Richard Gough (c)CB 6 ENG Gary MabbuttCF 7 ENG Clive AllenMF 8 ENG Paul AllenMF 9 ENG Chris WaddleMF 10 ENG Glenn HoddleMF 11 ARG Ossie Ardiles 91Substitutes:FW 12 BEL Nico Claesen 97DF 14 ENG Gary Stevens 91Manager:ENG David Pleat Post-match thumb|right|alt=Open-top bus in Coventry Transport Museum|This bus is a 1973 Daimler Fleetline CRG6LX, bodied by East Lancs initially from Coventry Corporation Transport, in which the victorious Coventry players paraded the cup through the city after their victory. It is now on display in the Coventry Transport Museum. https://www.transport-museum.com/visiting/sky_blues_bus.aspx Coventry Transport Museum 4 January 2021 Sky Blues Bus 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212054/https://www.transport-museum.com/visiting/sky_blues_bus.aspx live Sillett said he was confident that his side was going to win but was humble in victory: "The longer the game went on, the more certain I was that we were going to win it... But there should be credit all round here. We saw two sides trying to play attacking football as we both showed the best of the English game." His counterpart Pleat bemoaned not capitalising on the 2–1 lead his side held but was gracious in defeat: "We were in a lovely position at half-time. A third goal for us would have killed it... In the end I thought they deserved to finish in front. We were stretched and they might have scored more. But we contributed to a fair game." Pleat suggested that "a couple of our players did not do what they have been doing or are capable of doing. The players who did not quite get to grips with it know who they are." It was Hoddle's last game for the club before he moved to AS Monaco. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/1247699.stm BBC Sport 4 January 2021 The pass master Charlie Henderson 28 March 2001 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/1247699.stm live Clive Allen scored his 49th goal of the season for Tottenham in the final which, 2021 yes, remains a club record.AFS Enterprises 11v11 https://www.11v11.com/teams/tottenham-hotspur/tab/players/season/2020/ All Tottenham Hotspur football club players: 2020 12 January 2021 12 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210112161231/https://www.11v11.com/teams/tottenham-hotspur/tab/players/season/2020/ live AFS Enterprises 11v11 https://www.11v11.com/teams/tottenham-hotspur/tab/players/season/2021/ All Tottenham Hotspur football club players: 2021 12 January 2021 12 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210112161230/https://www.11v11.com/teams/tottenham-hotspur/tab/players/season/2021/ live His scoring exploits earned him the FWA Footballer of the Year and the PFA Players' Player of the Year awards. https://www.thepfa.com/news/2019/11/7/clive-allen-up-front Professional Footballers' Association Clive Allen autobiography 28 December 2020 7 November 2019 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212113/https://www.thepfa.com/news/2019/11/7/clive-allen-up-front live Mabbutt became the third person to score both for and against his own club in an FA Cup final, the others being Bert Turner of Charlton Athletic in 1946 and Tommy Hutchison of Manchester City in 1981. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2020/apr/25/coventry-city-v-tottenham-hotspur-1987-fa-cup-final-live The Guardian 4 January 2021 Coventry City 3–2 Tottenham Hotspur: 1987 FA Cup final – as it happened (4 of 4) 25 April 2020 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212113/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2020/apr/25/coventry-city-v-tottenham-hotspur-1987-fa-cup-final-live live Tottenham had been knocked out of the Football League Cup in the semi-finals by North London rivals and eventual winners Arsenal and had finished third in the league, and so, having spent most of the season challenging for an unprecedented domestic treble, they ended it with no major trophies at all. https://www.fchd.info/TOTTENHH.HTM Football Club History Database Tottenham Hotspur 4 January 2021 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212106/https://www.fchd.info/TOTTENHH.HTM live https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6295031.stm Were you there? Charlie Henderson BBC Sport 31 January 2007 4 January 2021 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/6295031.stm live The day after the match, Coventry paraded the trophy on an open-top bus tour of the city. Around 250,000 people celebrated along the route from Hinckley Road to Speakers' Corner, while the bells of the old Coventry Cathedral were rung for the first time in over a century following a recent renovation – earlier than the planned first ringing date of 25 May.44 Coventry Evening Telegraph Music to the ears Newspapers.com 11 April 1987 22 April 2022 https://www.newspapers.com/image/821405760/?terms=coventry%20cathedral%20bells&match=1 Sillett praised the support saying "we expected a good response to our win but this is beyond our wildest dreams." https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002487/19870518/009/0003?browse=true 250,000 hail conquering heroes Sandwell Evening Mail 4 January 2021 British Newspaper Archive subscription 18 May 1987 3 Bob May Gerry Armes Bernard Gallagher Regis was also complimentary to the supporters, noting: "It is absolutely wonderful, the fans have been fantastic." The bus was already in the collection of the Coventry Transport Museum who had acquired the vehicle the previous year, and 2021 yes it remains as an exhibit in the museum. Because English clubs were banned from taking part in European competition following the Heysel Stadium disaster in 1985,http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/31/newsid_2481000/2481723.stm 1985: English teams banned after Heysel 31 May 1985 BBC 1 August 2012 8 June 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170608132009/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/31/newsid_2481000/2481723.stm live Coventry were disallowed from taking part in the 1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/columns/story/_/id/1481816/delaney-england-banned-europe ESPN What if... England hadn't been banned Miguel Delaney 28 December 2020 21 June 2013 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212104/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/columns/story/_/id/1481816/delaney-england-banned-europe live Tottenham would also have qualified for Europe, securing a place in the 1987–88 UEFA Cup for finishing third in the league, but for the ban.https://www.espn.co.uk/football/columns/story/_/id/1481816/delaney-england-banned-europe What if... England hadn't been banned 21 June 2013 Miguel Delaney ESPN 6 March 2021 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212104/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/columns/story/_/id/1481816/delaney-england-banned-europe dead The FA Cup win coincided with an attempt to resurrect the Anglo-Scottish Cup in 1987–88 as the Anglo Scottish Challenge Cup. It saw Coventry pitted with 1986–87 Scottish Cup winners St Mirren. However poor attendances at the first leg (a 1–1 draw at Highfield Road) meant that the revival was halted, and the second leg was never played.http://www.scotsman.com/sport/final-curtain-last-anglo-scottish-cup-match-coventry-city-1-st-mirren-1-22-december-1987-1-756536 Final Curtain: Last Anglo-Scottish cup match: Coventry City 1 St Mirren 1, 22 December 1987 30 January 2009 1 August 2012 The Scotsman 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212110/https://www.scotsman.com/sport/final-curtain-last-anglo-scottish-cup-match-coventry-city-1-st-mirren-1-22-december-1987-2444229 live Legacy The 1987 FA Cup Final is regarded by many pundits as one of the greatest finals in the history of the competition. In a 2020 article, Daily Telegraph sports reporter Luke Edwards ranked the match top of his list of ten greatest finals, ahead of the 1953 "Stanley Matthews" final.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/05/12/10-greatest-fa-cup-finals-ranked-remembered/ The Daily Telegraph Luke Edwards 12 May 2020 The 10 greatest FA Cup finals: Ranked and remembered 4 January 2021 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212105/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2020/05/12/10-greatest-fa-cup-finals-ranked-remembered/ live A similar assessment in 2020 by the staff of football magazine FourFourTwo placed the match in its top ten, as did a 2001 "tour around some of the greatest FA Cup finals" by BBC Sport.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/top-10-greatest-fa-cup-finals FourFourTwo 26 March 2020 Top 10 greatest FA Cup finals 4 January 2021 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212125/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/top-10-greatest-fa-cup-finals live https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1322006.stm 10 May 2001 1987 – City slickers 4 January 2021 BBC Sport 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/1322006.stm live BBC TV commentator John Motson stated that it was "the finest Cup Final I've had the pleasure of commentating on".https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/30823353 Archive: Coventry in FA Cup history BBC Sport 28 December 2020 1 June 2018 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212120/https://www.bbc.com/sport/av/football/30823353 live Houchen's header was awarded the BBC Goal of the Season for 1987. https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2014/sep/09/goals-season-1980s-liverpool-fashanu-everton The Guardian 28 December 2020 9 September 2014 The 10 goals of the season in the 1980s Steven Pye 4 January 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210104212125/https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2014/sep/09/goals-season-1980s-liverpool-fashanu-everton live One of Coventry's fanzines is entitled Gary Mabbutt's Knee in commemoration of the deciding goal.https://www.theguardian.com/football/1987/may/16/facup.sport Cup earned by the Blue crew 16 May 1987 The Guardian 23 January 2014 3 February 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140203160812/http://www.theguardian.com/football/1987/may/16/facup.sport livehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9779448/How-Tottenhams-Gary-Mabbutt-gave-Coventry-City-an-epic-knees-up-in-1987-FA-Cup-final.html How Tottenham's Gary Mabbutt gave Coventry City an epic knees-up in 1987 FA Cup final 4 January 2013 The Daily Telegraph 23 January 2014 13 March 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140313092402/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/9779448/How-Tottenhams-Gary-Mabbutt-gave-Coventry-City-an-epic-knees-up-in-1987-FA-Cup-final.html live Notes References Brassington David 1989 2 Singers to Sky Blues: The story of Coventry City Football Club Sporting and Leisure Press Limited Buckingham 978-0-86023-452-4 Brown Jim 1998 Coventry City: The Elite Era : a Complete Record Desert Island Books Westcliff-on-Sea 978-1-874287-03-2 https://books.google.com/books?id=g-L-PQAACAAJ Dunk Peter Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88 Queen Anne Press 1987 https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00lond/page/476/ 978-0-3561435-4-5 https://books.google.com/books?id=jZEJDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA63 Springer Employment and Labour Relations Law in the Premier League, NBA and International Rugby Union 2017 Leanne O'Leary 978-9-462-65158-6 David Roberts Guinness World Records: British Hit Singles & Albums 18th 2005 Guinness World Records 978-1-904994-00-8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSIZsxTa334 YouTube Coventry City F.C. 3 January 2021 1987 FA Cup Final, 16th May 1987 16 May 2020 1987 FA Cup Final, 16 May 1987 External links Official Match Highlights at the FA Game facts https://web.archive.org/web/20071001044817/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=258966 1 October 2007 at soccerbase.com 1987 Final 1987 FA Cup Final 1987 FA Cup Final 1987 Final FA Cup Final FA Cup Final