FA Cup Final 1987

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Saturday May 16, 1987 - FA Cup Final: Wembley

Coventry City v. Tottenham Hotspur

Coventry: S.Ogrizovic, D.Phillips, G.Downs, L.McGrath, B.Kilcline (G.Rodger 88), T.Peake, D.Bennett, M.Gynn, C.Regis, K.Houchen, N.Pickering.

Spurs: R.Clemence, C.Hughton (N.Claesen 97), M.Thomas, S.Hodge, R.Gough, G.Mabbutt, C.Allen, P.Allen, C.Waddle, G.Hoddle, O.Ardiles (G.Stevens 90).

Match Report : Tottenham were overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy for a record eighth time against the cup final virgins of Coventry. With their star studded midfield and 48 goal striker Clive Allen the club had enjoyed a fine season finishing 3rd in Division One and reaching the semi finals of the League Cup.

Coventry’s modestly assembled team had surpassed most people’s expectations by finishing 10th in the league as well as making it to Wembley for the first time in their history. The underdogs were without their regular right back Brian Borrows, cruelly injured after missing only one league game all season, and included Mickey Gynn in midfield with David Phillips filling in at right back.

The tone was set from the kick off as Tottenham looked to dribble through the Coventry defence and when that thrust was rebuffed Coventry countered with a determined run up the right wing by Keith Houchen. Both sides, it appeared, were going to be positive.

Coventry’s one real concession to the attacking prowess of their opponents was to have Lloyd McGrath shadowing Glenn Hoddle’s every move and in the second minute the man marker was harshly penalised for a challenge on the Spurs playmaker.

A diving header from Trevor Peake cleared the initial free kick but the ball dropped to Chris Waddle hugging the right touchline. The languid winger dropped his shoulder to gain a yard on Greg Downs and whipped a fine centre to the near post where Clive Allen leapt into a firm header that left Steve Ogrizovic helpless.

This start might well have been expected to demoralise the underdogs fatally, and perhaps the Spurs team relaxed too much, but instead Coventry responded confidently.

Phillips looked to release the eager Gynn but the pass was just too strong and Ray Clemence was out to collect in front of the diminutive midfielder who clipped the keeper as he passed. Then a neat move involving Gynn, Houchen and Nick Pickering almost got Dave Bennett through the Spurs defence which just about held firm but without any real conviction.

In Coventry’s next attack the lively Bennett nutmegged Hoddle before supplying Cyrille Regis who made ground across the pitch to find Greg Downs whose centre almost caught Clemence napping. The keeper, however, just about flicked the ball behind for a corner.

The Coventry midfield, despite being only four to Tottenham’s five, was first to everything at this stage and Gynn robbed Ossie Ardiles to start another attack. Gynn drove forward with purpose and was only halted by a crude foul by Mitchell Thomas. Pickering swung in the free kick and Tottenham were unable to clear properly despite having several opportunities.

Eventually Downs clipped a cute ball into the near post where Houchen flicked an equally cute header back across goal. Steve Hodge and Clemence both hesitated, Bennett reacted and when Clemence finally lunged at his feet the winger skipped away from him before screwing his shot back across goal, past Hodge and into the corner for a well deserved equaliser.

Only nine minutes had gone and the game was shaping up into an absolute classic.

The bit was very definitely between Coventry’s teeth and after another tidy midfield move Houchen slammed in a cross shot from the right which Clemence dropped at full stretch and was relieved to see Chris Hughton in position behind him to boot clear for a throw.

Any high balls into their box were causing Spurs all manner of problems and Houchen was not far wide with a header from a Downs free kick.

Spurs almost broke the siege in telling fashion when a raking ball by Waddle from deep inside his own half looked like sending Hodge clean through on goal but Phillips stretched out a leg at the last moment to guide the ball back to Ogrizovic.

The game finally saw it’s first lull around the quarter hour mark and Tottenham emerged from this quieter spell in greater control of proceedings, their midfield quintet managing to dominate for the first time.

A spell of pressure saw Coventry having to defend a corner and a free kick in quick succession, Waddle firing just over from 30 yards with the latter.

Coventry only had to get the ball into the Spurs box to cause panic, however, and a huge throw in by Phillips saw Houchen flick on for Regis to guide his header low past the despairing dive of Clemence.

Coventry’s celebrations were cut short as the referee blew up for a push by Houchen.

The surprising sight of Ardiles robbing the rampaging Regis with a sliding challenge inspired a superb Tottenham move with the Argentinian coming away to link with Hoddle and Paul Allen and eventually win a corner.

Ogrizovic came out to collect the resulting cross, however, and his instant throw to Bennett launched a rapid counter attack also involving Gynn and ending in a corner at the other end.

It was breathless stuff and completely exhilarating.

Ardiles broke up another attack and immediately countered. After exchanging passes cleverly with Hoddle the chance was on to send Paul Allen completely clear but Ardiles delayed for a fraction of a second and when he did attempt the pass Peake was able to intercept at full stretch.

The Coventry defence had looked far more assured than the Spurs rearguard but in a bizarre spell of action they threatened to self destruct.

Ogrizovic decided against booting clear first time when a back pass from Peake was slightly short but having taken a touch away from Clive Allen his attempted clearance was badly scuffed and went straight to Hoddle.

Hoddle shot for goal but Peake was back in position to intercept. Ogrizovic was scrambling back towards his box and Peake decided to play the ball to him, keepers being able to pick up passes from defenders at that time.

The pass was knocked to the side of the retreating keeper, however, who could not adjust and Allen was onto the ball in a flash. Peake managed to narrow the angle though and the strikers’ shot found only the side netting.

Tottenham were getting on top by this time and Waddle twice sent in low drives which Ogrizovic fielded safely and the roving winger also tested the keeper with a fierce drive from a narrow angle after a good move involving Hoddle and Clive Allen.

Gary Mabbutt also stormed forward after intercepting a Coventry move but the return pass from Ardiles was too strong and allowed Ogrizovic to come out and clear.

Trevor Peake was playing an inspired game at the back for Coventry and a perfectly timed tackle ended a surging Waddle run and Coventry were able to break as the ball ran loose.

Richard Gough looked to intercept on the halfway line without success and suddenly Coventry were pouring forward with both Tottenham defenders completely out of position.

Regis took the ball forward before playing Gynn in on goal right through the middle. Gynn shot low and true but Clemence was down to his right in a flash to pull off a fine save.

Ogrizovic was at full stretch to paw an intended centre from Hodge behind from beneath his crossbar and when Coventry countered Pickering was able to turn onto a Houchen flick deep inside the Spurs box but was unable to get sufficient power on his shot to trouble Clemence.

The action was unrelenting and Spurs gained a free kick wide on the right in their next attack after a foul on Paul Allen by Pickering. Hoddle took the kick and Ogrizovic came to collect but this time stopped as the ball curved away from him. Gough could not make contact and as the ball landed Mabbutt went for it with Brian Kilcline and the ball bounced into the unguarded net.

Who got the last touch was unclear but the goal was given to Mabbutt.

High balls were still causing Spurs all sorts of problems, however, and Regis guided another down into Pickering’s path. Again Pickering turned well and this time his shot was well struck but Gough was able to block at full stretch to avert the danger.

This was the final action of a first half that had been completely engrossing and totally thrilling. Everyone could only hope for more of the same after the break.

Half Time: Coventry City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2

The first half had certainly been a classic and it inspired this classic comment from the TV summariser Jimmy Hill. Hill declared himself so impressed that he “would have liked to have given them all winners medals and gone to the nearest pub to celebrate at one point.”

Perhaps when a cup final is that good then this is indeed what should happen.

As it was the teams were obliged to come out again and strive for their winners’ medals.

The first danger of the second half came when McGrath nicked the ball from Hoddle to instigate a Coventry attack. Gynn made a good run down the right and his low ball cut back into the box looked likely to offer the supporting McGrath a clear chance but Houchen tried to collect himself and could only poke the ball through to Clemence.

Back came Tottenham. Hoddle fired an early ball through for Clive Allen who cut inside onto his left foot before firing a rising drive over the angle.

If anything the football was getting better. Coventry produced a flowing move which ended with a Bennett centre that was just too high for Houchen and then Waddle made a lovely run to the byeline but Ogrizovic was able to claim his cross ahead of Clive Allen.

Suddenly a long ball out of defence from Kilcline had Gynn through on goal. The midfielder carried the ball a yard too far, however, and Gough was able to block his eventual cross shot.

Waddle was a growing influence and after finding space with a sweet body swerve he sent Hughton away down the flank. The full back’s low cross found Clive Allen who escaped Peake with a delightful drag back but Downs was racing back to cover at the expense of a corner.

There had been some superb football since half time but the approach play had not yet found a suitable finish. That was about to change in a glorious moment of Wembley history.

Ogrizovic punted a huge clearance downfield. Regis flicked on to Houchen who slipped the ball out to Bennett on the right.

The winger waited his moment before curving a splendid centre around Mitchell Thomas and Houchen flung himself headlong to bury a magnificent header into the bottom corner to bring Coventry level again.

Now the game was truly anyones. Waddle produced a teasing ball which Bennett, of all people, headed behind with Thomas threatening. Then Houchen had another chance after McGrath again mugged Hoddle but this time the striker narrowed his own angle before driving straight at Clemence.

Paul Allen was presented with a half chance by a smart Hoddle pass but Ogrizovic was well positioned at his near post to collect the shot.

Again Coventry came back and a quick throw allowed Phillips to centre and Houchen got in another strong header that forced a good plunging save from Clemence at the foot of his post.

For a spell Coventry managed to force the issue with Bennett prominent and Regis and Houchen a real handful in the air.

Spurs survived to enjoy their own spell of pressure. Hoddle supplied Hodge who drilled in a dangerous low ball from the right but Clive Allen, under severe pressure, saw his sliding effort fly over the bar.

Waddle set off on another loping run, this time through the middle, and his low drive took a slight deflection off Gynn to fly narrowly wide.

There was more carnage in the Spurs box when a Houchen flick sent Regis storming through. Tottenham bodies hurled themselves in his path and somehow prevented the forward from getting in a clean shot or pass.

The brave Ardiles required extensive treatment after his part in the melee, however.

Waddle looked to go straight through the heart of the Coventry defence on his next run but was denied by Ogrizovic at the last before Kilcline produced the first nasty moment of the final with a shocking challenge on Mabbutt as the defender burst forward from defence.

Remarkably Neil Midgeley still kept his cards in his pockets and, even more remarkably for the modern audience, none of the Spurs players found it necessary to complain. They just got on with the game.

A patient Tottenham move ended with Hughton finding Clive Allen to feet at the near post. Allen turned smartly to send in a crisp low drive but Ogrizovic was able to save with his foot.

As the ninety minutes ticked down Kilcline was forced off with an injury sustained in felling Mabbutt, Graham Rodger coming on in his place.

There were to be no last minute dramas and this cracking contest had another thirty minutes to run.

Full Time: Coventry City 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2

Spurs had to replace the shattered Ardiles with Garry Stevens before extra time got under way but in general the fitness levels of the players looked amazing. The day was baking hot and the action had been none stop but still both sides pushed forward in search of more goals.

Hodge demonstrated this with a surging 50 yard run which ended with a crunching challenge from Downs as he was in the act of shooting on the edge of the box.

Coventry responded and again Spurs were unable to clear their lines but the ball simply refused to drop to a Coventry player inside the box.

When Tottenham next looked to come forward Rodger intercepted neatly before sending a pinpoint ball down the right wing for McGrath, bursting forward and obviously forgetting Hoddle for a moment.

McGrath carried the ball towards the box before crossing low towards the near post. Mabbutt was racing back and stuck out his leg to cut the ball out. He made glancing contact only with his shin and the ball looped up and beyond Clemence to drop into the far corner and put Coventry into the lead for the first time.

Spurs immediately sent Nico Claesen on for Chris Hughton in an attempt to stretch the Coventry defence.

Waddle sent in a testing ball but Ogrizovic was out to take the ball off Clive Allen’s head. The next cross came in from Hoddle but was repelled by a flying header from Peake.

Coventry broke away and Bennett sent Gynn running free. Gynn looked to go past Gough, the last man, but was sent crashing to the floor. Again the free kick was deemed sufficient punishment by the referee.

David Phillips smashed in the free kick but the Tottenham wall blocked.

Tottenham’s need was the greatest but Coventry were now playing with great composure and looked in real control. Bennett laid on a chance for Houchen whose low shot forced Clemence into a save and a patient attack ended with Bennett nutmegging Thomas only for Gough to dive in to block his shot.

Extra time reached its half way stage with the Spurs bench looking increasingly concerned bar for the trainer who was composedly chugging away on his pipe.

Pipe smokers should surely be compulsory at FA Cup finals.

Coventry remained in control of possession when the second period of extra time got under way and Pickering blasted high and wide after a measured build up.

Bennett was hacked down by a desperate Mabbutt as Coventry continued to hold sway. From the free kick Regis and Rodger combined well to supply Gynn who drove inside to shoot just wide.

Garry Stevens strode forward with purpose to feed Clive Allen but McGrath was able to block his shot on the turn and Coventry continued to display their composure in possession with Regis truly outstanding with his control and movement up front.

Bennett intercepted a wayward pass out of defence and immediately sent Gynn through on goal. This time the tireless midfielder looked to round Clemence but the keeper dived to save as Gynn got his shot away.

Spurs produced some late pressure with Stevens providing Paul Allen for a fine centre that was well defended but when Hoddle sent a hopeful ball straight through to Ogrizovic the game was up for Spurs and Coventry had their first major honour after one of the finest finals ever.

Kilcline limped up the steps to collect the cup before Coventry embarked on a dizzy lap of honour led by their management duo of John Sillett and George Curtis. The scenes of celebration provided yet another enduring memory on a truly memorable day.

Full Time (after extra time): Coventry City 3 Tottenham Hotspur 2