Having all already clinched the league title, the Gunners headed for Wembley chasing that all elusive double. Facing what was to be the second of Bill Shankly’s great sides, it took extra time and a moment of class to separate these two giants of the English game.
Regarded as one of the most enduring images of F.A. Cup final history, Charlie George lay flat on his back after clinching the winning goal deep in extra time, after both teams had endured a match of pulsating football and a hatful of missed chances.
With the score line level at the end of ninety minutes, were Arsenal to rue their missed chances, as Kennedy, Armstrong and Radford all passed up opportunities, and were Liverpool now believing, with the introduction of Thompson, that this could be their day.
And it certainly did seem like being Liverpool’s day when Heighway drove the ball past Wilson from an acute angle, with only two minutes of extra-time played. But the willpower and perseverance that Arsenal had displayed all season once again stood them in good stead, as they dug deep to clinch the cup.
First it was Graham who levelled, and then with eight minutes remaining, Charlie George struck an unstoppable twenty-yard shot, and cue the famous celebration.
Arsenal celebrated and the Double was completed. |
