Country England Runners-up Tottenham Hotspur Dates 15 Nov 1986 – 16 May 1987 | Champions Coventry City Champion Coventry City F.C. | |
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The 1986–87 FA Cup was the 106th season of the world's oldest football knockout competition, The Football Association Challenge Cup, or FA Cup for short. The competition was won by Coventry City, who beat Tottenham Hotspur 3–2, after extra-time, in the final at Wembley Stadium. It was Tottenham's only defeat in eight finals up to that point. The tournament started in August 1986, with non-league teams competing in the qualifying rounds. Clubs from the First and Second Divisions entered in the third round.
Contents
First round proper
The first round of games were played over the weekend 15–16 November 1986, with the exception of the Bristol Rovers – Brentford game. Replays were played either in the midweek fixtures on 17th-18th or on 24th.
Second round Proper
The second round of games were played over 6–7 December 1986, with replays being played on 9th–10th.
Third round proper
Most of the third round of games in the FA Cup were played over the weekend 10–11 January 1987. Various matches and replays were played as late as 31 January, however.
Fourth round Proper
The fourth round of games were played mainly over the weekend 31 January – 1 February 1987. All other ties took place on 3rd-4 February.
Fifth Round Proper
The fifth set of games were played over the weekend 21–22 February 1987, with the first set of replays on 24th-25th.
Sixth Round Proper
The sixth round of FA Cup games were played over the weekend 14–15 March 1987. There were no replays.
Semi-Finals
Seven time winners Tottenham Hotspur were drawn with 1984 finalists Watford for the Villa Park semip-final, which saw the North Londoners win 4-1 and reach their eighth final, having won all of their previous FA Cup finals.
Hillsborough was the venue for the other semi-final. Fallen giants Leeds United were on the comeback trail under the management of former captain Billy Bremner, pushing for promotion in the Second Division and making their first serious challenge for a major trophy in over 10 years. Their opponents were Coventry City, who had never reached an FA Cup semi-final before. In a closely fought game, Coventry won 3-2.
Final
After only two minutes, Clive Allen scored his 49th goal of the season, heading past keeper Steve Ogrizovic at the near-post from a perfect Chris Waddle cross. Within seven minutes though, the Sky Blues were level through Dave Bennett, a Cup Final loser in 1981 for Manchester City, ironically at the hands of Spurs.
The London club were back in front five minutes before the break though through defender Gary Mabbutt. Midway through the second half Coventry were level again – Bennett's pinpoint cross from the right was met by striker Keith Houchen with a diving header for a memorable goal.
The scores stayed level until full-time and the game went into extra time. Six minutes in, Mabbutt scored an own goal after Lloyd McGrath centred the ball and it took a deflection off of the Spurs defender's knee and over keeper Ray Clemence.