On this day two decades ago, West Ham United advanced to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup courtesy of Fredi Kanoute’s clever finish against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Harry Redknapp’s Hammers had already overcome Manchester United at Old Trafford three weeks prior to reach the fifth round of the competition, thanks to Paolo di Canio’s memorable deception of Fabian Barthez.
But the Irons were once again forced to make the long journey north to face a talented Sunderland team who, under Peter Reid’s stewardship and inspired by the prolific Kevin Phillips, were to finish seventh in the Premier League that season.
As it turned out, the Irons’ backline marshalled the Black Cats’ top scorer superbly throughout, granting Kanoute the platform on which to win the game in the second half.
The Mali striker raced clear following a defence-splitting pass from Frank Lampard and, with Tomas Sorensen advancing on him, placed the ball beneath the Sunderland ‘keeper with just 15 minutes remaining.
West Ham saw the game out to seal a place in the sixth round at home to Tottenham, whom they eventually fell to 3-2 at Boleyn Ground.
You can relive Kanoute’s goal in our clip above!
