1988 FA Cup Final

Event	FA Cup 1987–88
Wimbledon Liverpool 1 0
Date	14 May 1988
Venue	Wembley Stadium, London
← 1987 1989 →

The 1988 FA Cup Final took place on 14 May 1988 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Wimbledon, unfashionable and unfancied, and Liverpool, one of the dominant teams of the 1980s and newly-crowned league champions. The result was one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition as the London side won the Cup, 1–0, for the only time in their history. The final is also notable as the first instance of a penalty save (by Dave Beasant from John Aldridge) in FA Cup Final history.

Beasant was the first goalkeeper to captain an FA Cup winning side.

This final was the last one since 1958 that would be screened by ITV and BBC.

Wimbledon's victory ended Liverpool's bid for a unique second double.

Unfortunately for Wimbledon, they were unable to compete in the Cup Winners' Cup as UEFA had voted for the ban on English clubs in European competitions to continue for a fourth season.

[edit] Match summary

Wimbledon took the lead shortly before half-time, when Lawrie Sanchez's header, from a Dennis Wise free kick on the left, went across goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar and into the net. Liverpool created a host of chances, including a strike by Peter Beardsley disallowed as the referee had already awarded a free kick to Liverpool, but were unable to find a way past Wimbledon goalkeeper Dave Beasant. The Merseysiders were awarded a penalty on the hour mark following a foul by Clive Goodyear, but John Aldridge's shot was saved by Beasant, who thus became the first keeper to save a penalty in a Wembley FA Cup final. The Londoners survived more pressure from Liverpool to secure their first major trophy and a notable upset.

[edit] Europe

However, Wimbledon could not compete in the 1988–89 European Cup Winners Cup because of the ban on English teams caused by the actions of Liverpool supporters in the 1985 European Cup Final Heysel disaster.

[edit] Match details

14 May 1988 15:00 BST	Wimbledon	1 – 0	Liverpool	Wembley Stadium, London Attendance: 98,203 Referee: Brian Hill
	Sanchez  37'	Report

Wimbledon

Liverpool

WIMBLEDON: GK 1 Dave Beasant (c) RB 2 Clive Goodyear LB 3 Terry Phelan CM 4 Vinnie Jones CB 5 Eric Young CB 6 Andy Thorn CF 7 Terry Gibson 63' CF 8 Alan Cork 56' CF 9 John Fashanu CM 10 Lawrie Sanchez CM 11 Dennis Wise Substitutes: DF 12 John Scales 63' FW 14 Laurie Cunningham 56' Manager: Bobby Gould

LIVERPOOL: GK 1 Bruce Grobbelaar CB 2 Gary Gillespie LB 3 Gary Ablett RB 4 Steve Nicol CM 5 Nigel Spackman 74' CB 6 Alan Hansen (c) CF 7 Peter Beardsley CF 8 John Aldridge 64' RM 9 Ray Houghton LM 10 John Barnes CM 11 Steve McMahon Substitutes: MF 12 Craig Johnston 64' MF 14 Jan Mølby 74' Manager: Kenny Dalglish

[edit] Road to Wembley

[edit] External links

• Game facts at soccerbase.com
• LFC History Match Report