COV’S DAY OF GLORY & CUPSET
2 aet
Coventry City
Bennett 9 C Allen 2
Houchen 63 Mabbutt 41
Mabbutt og 96
FA Cup Final, 1987, Wembley
BY
NO wonder John Motson called it
“the finest cup final I have had the pleasure of commentating on”.
Coventry (above) scored one of the greatest goals in FA Cup history as they came from behind twice to lift the trophy in extra-time – just like their manager knew they would.
Coventry boss George Curtis predicted that “our name is on the cup” before the fourth-round tie at Manchester United in 1987.
Keith Houchen was the Sky Blues’ match-winner at Old Trafford and Coventry were the final’s underdogs.
Coach John Sillett was a quotable and bubbly character and he was at the helm of a colourful squad.
Goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic was possibly better at cricket than football, Kevin Kilcline was nicknamed ‘Killer’ for a reason and, for all his ability, Cyrille Regis was still waiting to get his hands on a trophy.
Tottenham had star names, such as Chris Waddle, Glenn Hoddle, Ossie Ardiles and Clive Allen – and everyone knew how good they were.
Under boss David Pleat, Allen had scored 48 goals in all competitions that season and, only two minutes into the FA Cup Final, he made it 49.
He knew exactly where Waddle would put it and timed his run to the near post to perfection, his header flashing past Ogrizovic.
Six minutes later, Coventry were level, Dave Bennett tiptoed round Spurs keeper Ray Clemence and fired in from a narrow angle.
Five minutes before the break, Spurs were back in front after Hoddle’s free-kick caused panic in the Coventry penalty area and the ball ended up in the corner of the net.
Gary Mabbutt was credited with the goal, but replays show Kilcline got the last touch.
But in the 63rd minute, Bennett curved a cross into the Spurs box.
“The only way I was going to get on the end of it was to throw myself at it,” recalled Houchen of his header
He would call it “the perfect goal” and it sent the match into extratime.
As everyone who’s ever spoken to a Coventry fan knows, the cup was won when Lloyd McGrath’s cross hit Mabbutt’s knee and looped over Clemence and into the net. Underdog glory!