Whilst the 1988-89 FA Cup will always be remembered for the tragic events that unfolded at Hillsborough, for the Final itself the script couldn't have been written any better, as Liverpool faced their arch rivals Everton in an emotionally charged and highly evocative Wembley final, in which Liverpool would eventually win but Merseyside would be united.
Liverpool started brightly, and were ahead after only four minutes, when John Aldridge scored within inches of the penalty spot where he had missed in the previous year's Final, but this time there was no denying him an FA Cup Final goal, and it was a goal that appeared to clinch victory, after 85 more minutes of enduring football in the sweltering May sunshine failed to produce another goal.
But just as the ribbons were being fastened, Everton's substitute Stuart McCall popped up at the back post to force extra time. The Blue's resurgent with their late goal started brightly, but it was Liverpool's own substitute Ian Rush who proved to be the hero of the hour, as he first swivelled and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, and then after McCall had once again equalised he steered an unstoppable header that was as deft as decisive to make it 3-2 with the second half of extra time still remaining.
But that's how it remained, and the Reds had fittingly won the cup, providing the best possible tribute to the victims of Hillsborough, on a simply unforgettable afternoon in North London, when both sides of Merseyside played their part in an extraordinary occasion. Now relive this incredible match over again in this specially produced programme, featuring the full uninterrupted 90 minutes and post match reaction as it happened.
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