West Ham United celebrates its 125th anniversary on 29 June – and as part of our celebrations we're counting down to the date with the Club’s #50GreatestMatches – brought to you by Monster Energy!
Since the Hammers were formed as Thames Ironworks FC in 1895, we have played in excess of 5,500 matches – reaching five FA Cup finals - and one women's FA Cup final, lifting European silverware and competing across the globe and enjoying thousands of memorable moments.
With your help and recommendations, we've whittled down that list of 5,500 matches to a top 50, featuring landmark goals, trophies held aloft, heroic individual performances and remarkable collective efforts.
We continue the #50GreatestMatches countdown today with the unforgettable 2006 FA Cup final...
West Ham United were denied a fourth FA Cup triumph in a dramatic final with Liverpool in 2006.
The newly-promoted Irons had won through to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the third straight year by beating Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City and Middlesbrough to set up a final meeting with Rafa Benitez's reigning European champions.
The two historic clubs produced a thrilling spectacle that will live long in the memory of all who saw it.
Alan Pardew's underdogs took a stunning early two-goal lead thanks to Jamie Carragher's own-goal and Dean Ashton's close-range strike, before Djibril Cisse pulled one back.
Steven Gerrard lashed home an equaliser after the break before Paul Konchesky's speculative cross flew into the top corner to put West Ham back in front.
Gerrard's stunning last-minute strike forced extra-time, during which the Irons went close to clinching the trophy on a number of occasions.
There were no further goals, however, and when Pepe Reina saved from Bobby Zamora, Konchesky and Anton Ferdinand in the resulting penalty shootout, West Ham's hearts were broken.
While the trophy went to Anfield, no Hammers fan will ever forget the efforts their heroes put in and just how close their team came to glory.
