The Road to Wembley The FA Cup

Football is theatre.

Turn on the lights, send in the crowds, let the music play

and the people sing.

ORGAN PLAYS

Football is theatre.

Soak up the drama, feel the tension, witness the magic

and tell tales of giants to be killed.

Do you want some? I'll give it to you.

Football is theatre. The FA Cup is variety.

One of our supporters thought, "Why don't we get an inflatable llama?"

And it just went from there.

Characters, emotions, colourful society,

working class men against millionaires,

minnows battling it out for a chance in the spotlight.

The spotlight was already shining on Salford City.

Time for the opening act.

Hi!

Life at Salford City had already become a soap opera -

even before the first round appearance.

You got to make the tea, you got to make the coffee.

-You know what I mean?

-You don't do that here.

I'm not as good as you, though, am I?

No, you'll never be as good as me.

Hot chocolate.

With matriarchal figures capturing the nation's hearts

and the class of '92 bringing a touch of glamour

to an ordinary setting, it made for gripping viewing.

But when the seventh tier team

was paired with League Two Notts County,

the oldest football club in the world,

it's not about whether the toilets get an extra lick of paint

or the burger van's been renovated, this was about football.

The moment has finally arrived for Salford City,

currently fourth in the Northern Premier League Premier Division,

against Notts County, 15th in League Two.

Here's James Poole curling it towards the back post - and Webber.

Danny Webber, their top scorer, and it could be a golden goal.

Richie Allen, looking for some support, the substitute.

Oh, and he's beaten all three of them.

Allen again. Oh, what a goal!

Richie Allen, the substitute.

A magical moment of history.

Wherever this Salford City story takes them,

this is a chapter they will never, ever forget.

And the FA Cup has provided it yet again.

A nation-gripping first round victory

was watched by 3.5 million people.

A thrilling new story arc to this Salford screenplay.

That's put faith back into me in terms of football.

That epitomises what football is about, what the FA Cup is about.

-THEY CHANT:

-..and we're going to Wembley. Wembley! Wembley!

But the first round drama was not exclusive to Moor Lane.

Chesham in the yellow shirts are breaking at the other end.

There's a shot on goal from Blake.

Oh, he's scored!

Chesham are in front.

And Rovers have been knocked out of the FA Cup

by Southern Premier League Chesham United.

Barnsley in the black shirts. Now defending.

Crowther winning the loose ball. Crowther may go all the way.

It's a fine save, but it's in.

Altrincham are at it again in the FA Cup.

Another non-league success story was being written at Crewe.

Strevens looks to send the keeper the wrong way, and he does.

Ben Strevens. Historic win for Eastleigh against League One Crewe.

They've only gone and done it.

Magic - the use of special powers to make the impossible possible.

The FA Cup is often described in that way.

It has an unusual quality that encourages the extraordinary.

Round 2 is magical for many small clubs.

One win away from the highly anticipated third round draw,

an opportunity for a glamorous tie.

Don't show me, please do show the camera.

Show everybody else, they can all see. I won't look.

Northern Premier League side Stourbridge

were ready to believe in the unbelievable.

-One more time if you could, say stop.

-Stop.

-And push them for me.

Where do you think it is now?

No way.

LAUGHTER

Could Stourbridge repeat the trick?

National League Premier side Eastleigh hoped not.

At least one non-league team

would find themselves in Round 3's magic hat.

What can Eastleigh do here?

Payne drives it across. Towards goal, saved by the keeper, it's in.

And Eastleigh are in front through James Constable.

Constable in towards Strevens. Strevens across goal.

This is Payne, 2-0.

And it is Eastleigh who create history.

The Hampshire club through to the third round of the FA Cup

for the first time in their history.

Eastleigh's FA Cup flame's still burning bright.

For Stourbridge, hope's extinguished.

The mystically-named Whitehawk

were trailing for most of their Round 2 match

against Dagenham & Redbridge,

but the Hawks conjured up a moment to remember.

Time almost up. Whitehawk's still pressing.

It's another good ball in,

and this time the equaliser arrives in stoppage time.

It's dreamland for Whitehawk.

They're into the third round draw for the first time in their history.

-Number 16.

-Number 16, Everton.

-63.

-And Everton get Dagenham & Redbridge or Whitehawk.

The golden prospect of a glamour trip to Goodison

gave the replay added sparkle.

Robinson getting in behind down the right-hand side

with Mills waiting in the middle to put Whitehawk ahead.

And they're already dreaming of Goodison Park.

Great turn - and a goal, as well. Beautifully done.

Cureton here and there it is!

Pass arriving, Dagenham & Redbridge go ahead.

There's more to do for Cousins -

he came for that and went for it again - and they're level.

Whitehawk get out of jail in stoppage time again.

The non-leaguers refusing to disappear from the competition.

Extra time was needed.

Another set piece to defend.

It's a goal.

Back in front again.

After a big, big fight tonight

it's Dagenham & Redbridge who get the trip to Everton

in the third round.

Dreams vanished for Whitehawk.

Another sleight of hand trick from the old trophy.

Round 3 of the Cup

is where the tournament really grabs the attention.

The elite are thrust into centre stage,

and all eyes are watching them for one thing - a shock.

And you can be certain some of the big names will be wriggling

out of tight situations just to survive.

Have you ever done a pre-match interview

in a tea room before, Jurgen?

For sure. You cannot imagine where I played by myself. It's nice.

It's everything here what you need.

I was looking out for my cup but there's no cup with my name,

I'm sorry.

Life was just as uncomfortable for the Liverpool manager on the pitch.

His side ravaged with injuries.

Klopp claimed his hands were tied when naming an inexperienced side.

League Two Exeter tried to take advantage.

Bogdan. It's gone in! Straight in.

On the stroke of half-time Exeter have the lead.

Here's Ojo. Slip from Davies. Cleared to Smith.

Smith has equalised.

And it's finished at St James's Park

all square between the League Two team and the Premier League giants.

In the replay, Sheyi Ojo scored his first senior goal for Liverpool

in a 3-0 win.

Klopp's kids finally wriggling free of the Grecian's grip.

A lucky escape.

The only non-league side left in the cup

were Eastleigh at home on a mud-soaked pitch.

Championship visitors Bolton almost came unstuck.

And that has gone in. It's an own goal.

Dorian Dervite has put National League Eastleigh into the lead.

That's gone near post. And Bolton Wanderers have equalised.

And Eastleigh's hearts are broken with only three minutes to play

in the Silverlake Stadium.

And life was made equally difficult for the four-times cup winners

in the replay back at the Macron.

Come on, Eastleigh.

Partington goes on his own and he scores. It's a glorious goal.

Bolton eventually won the match 3-2 but Eastleigh took all the plaudits.

To play in front of 500 fans from Eastleigh football club away

up in Bolton on a wintry Tuesday night is incredible.

It was great scenes at the end, just deserved.

Manchester United had a lucky escape to avoid a replay

against League One Sheffield United.

Manchester United get a late, late winner.

But leave it too late and eventually one will fail to escape.

Swansea started off play with freedom at Oxford United.

Montero.

Here he goes. What a lovely touch for Montero.

Lovely goal by the Ecuadorian.

The U's drew level, and they blew the roof off the Kassam Stadium,

and they brought the house down.

Here come Oxford at the end. Oh, it's a beauty.

It's Kemar Roofe. Swansea City are out of the FA Cup.

It's a famous win for Oxford United and their manager Michael Appleton.

It was always going to be a difficult game

against a Premier League side, there's no doubt about that.

We feel like we've got a fantastic stadium here,

great supporters and we have a half-decent pitch

after looking at some of the pitches yesterday.

We knew it was going to be difficult, but we played our way

and got the result.

It's not uncommon for giants to fall at the third round stage,

but it is usually when they're drawn against each other.

The pick of the all-Premier League ties was Spurs versus Leicester.

The entertainers.

At White Hart Lane, Okazaki tied the Tottenham defence in knots...

..before Spurs performed their own escape act.

2-2. Cracking cup tie. They'll have another chapter of it.

One was destined for an early exit.

Leicester would bow out after a replay.

Spurs took the applause...

this time.

MEN VOCALISE

Sing when we are winning.

# You're not singing

# You're not singing

# You're not singing any more... #

The road to Wembley can be a melodic journey.

In Round 4, the Premier League sopranos

with the potential to choke clear their throats

and they came together in perfect harmony.

Pitch perfect performances.

-ALL:

-Sh!

One, two, three.

# Blue is the colour

# Football is the game. #

Oscar and the Premier League team are in front.

# Winning is our aim

# So cheer us on through the sun and rain

# Cos Chelsea Chelsea is our name. #

And it's gone from bad to worse for MK Dons.

# Take me home... #

Rooney, great effort. Magnificent goal from Wayne Rooney.

# ..place I belong

# To Old Trafford

# To see United

# Take me home. #

Derby County 1-3 Manchester United.

# Oh, when the Spurs go marching in... #

Nacer Chadli puts Tottenham in front.

# I want to be in that number... #

Must be a fourth. It is.

Colchester 1-4 Tottenham.

That's a wrap, guys.

The FA Cup can make you smile.

Peterborough were smiling after a 2-2 draw against a West Brom side

who failed to hit the high notes at The Hawthorns.

Yeah, up the Posh! Weyyy!

In the replay at London Road

The Baggies struggled to orchestrate

a way past the League One side.

Here's Taylor who goes around and gets a shot in

and West Brom are in trouble.

Taylor is scoring.

Jon Taylor for Peterborough!

Berahino.

McClean. West Brom have done this well.

Comes back towards Fletcher. 1-1!

A move of genuine quality by the Premier League side.

But we go to extra time.

You lucky people, you've got another half-hour of this!

Come on, the Posh!

Gardner's delivery, could this be the last attack?

Ooh, it's just wide! Berahino.

He could have won it right at the death.

But now we go to penalties.

There's a thin line that separates laughter and pain, humour and hurt.

This is Lee Angol. Needs to score to keep Peterborough in the cup.

And Foster saves! And West Brom are through.

And Peterborough's brave effort ends here and now.

Can you juggle? I can't. He can.

He's brilliant at it, it takes great anticipation and concentration.

It's a really complex skill.

One momentary lapse and suffer a dropped catch.

Manchester City arrived at Stamford Bridge in Round 5

with their concentration stretched.

Manuel Pellegrini had already dealt with distractions

surrounding his impending departure.

Juggling domestic and European commitments was proving tricky.

Against Chelsea, City fielded a shadow side,

containing five full teenage debutants,

for a place in the FA Cup quarterfinal.

Costa to Cesc Fabregas, lifted through for Eden Hazard.

Must be, and is. Diego Costa.

And here's Iheanacho. Poking it back...

And it's in!

They're level already! David Faupala.

Mad celebrations in the away end.

Pedro was screaming for it, Willian's got it.

And Willian has got Chelsea back into the lead.

Fernando hasn't got it away, and Gary Cahill's blasted it home.

Never take your eye off the ball!

Oscar in. Might be another chance here.

Oh, it is, it's another goal! A looping effort that,

well, to be honest,

Caballero didn't cover himself in glory with again.

And Chelsea have number five.

Football is a game decided by inches.

The normally precise play of Spurs

was in need of some slight realignment.

Here's Alli. Against the post...

And the other one, and then off the line!

And Spurs denied again.

Now Zaha. Thought about a shot twice.

Still might be considering it.

Instead it's Kelly.

And Palace take the lead!

Martin Kelly an unlikely first goal scorer.

It's a famous victory for Alan Pardew and Crystal Palace,

the club's first success here since 1997.

As teams continued to fall,

the hopes of those still involved grew stronger.

Holders Arsenal progressed along with West Ham, Watford and Everton.

Reading continued as the only contenders

outside of the Premier League

but League One Shrewsbury's dreams denied by Manchester United.

Football is a participatory form of theatre. It's like panto.

The audience sing along and shout at the performers

as heroes and villains battle it out for centre stage.

In summer 2014, Chelsea sold one striker to buy another.

The diverging fortunes of both played out in gripping fashion

in the FA Cup quarterfinal at Goodison Park.

Lukaku and Lennon heavily outnumbered.

Lukaku shows great strength there, though. And goes on.

It's Lukaku!

It's a brilliant goal!

Lukaku nets against the club that sold him.

Sheer brute strength.

Through to Lukaku.

Flag has stayed down!

Lukaku does it again!

Everton on their way.

That's the way to do it.

And now we have another flashpoint. Guess who's involved.

There's a... There's a bite.

Oh, no, he didn't!

Maybe more of a kiss in the end.

Diego Costa, the perfect Premier League villain.

Turns out his bark is worse than his bite.

In the eyes of the West Ham fans, Manchester United were the villains.

This quarterfinal replay was to be the last-ever FA Cup tie

to be played at Upton Park.

CROWD SINGS HEARTILY

Here's Rashford found by Martial.

Rashford, lovely feet.

Brilliant goal!

Oh, that is a wonderful goal!

1-0, Manchester United lead.

Dangerous.

Martial hits it and Fellaini deflects it

into the back of the West Ham net,

and the home side have a mighty task now,

because Marouane Fellaini has doubled Manchester United's lead.

Payet's corner.

Carroll at the back post, dangerous! Tomkins in, 2-1!

They're giving everything, both teams, here.

In goes Carroll!

Whiskers away.

90 seconds of normal time.

Kouyate, brilliant save!

Carroll, he's there again!

Kouyate, the flag's up!

The flag is up.

It does not count.

And the referee's whistle blows,

and Manchester United are into the FA Cup semifinal.

Louis van Gaal has found another big result when he needed one.

The Boleyn bubble burst.

Could the hopes of the holders, Arsenal,

also be popped by the Hornets?

Ake with the throw.

Deeney managed to head it on, Ighalo spins and scores!

Wretched Arsenal defending, and Watford are ahead at the Emirates.

Guedioura, 2-0!

A rocket!

Past a hesitant Ospina,

and Arsenal's long, long unbeaten FA Cup run is heading to an end.

Bit of give and go here, Welbeck into the box, and scores!

Have Arsenal got enough time

to save their defence of the FA Cup and their season?

Iwobi. Off the post!

Comes back out. Gibbs!

Can they equalise?!

Welbeck, it's wide!

Impossibly wide!

The referee checks his watch.

Watford are at Wembley,

and Arsenal's long run in the FA Cup comes to an end.

The holders are out,

there will be no hat-trick of victories.

And it might well herald the end of an era.

But it's Watford celebrating, and it's Watford at Wembley.

CHEERING

HE PLAYS FAIRGROUND MUSIC

Crystal Palace had conquered Premier League opposition

in every round leading to the quarterfinals,

but here they travelled to Reading,

the only team outside of the top flight left in the competition.

Nice delivery in, and Bolasie, was he held up there by Cooper?

-He was.

-Oh, he's given it.

-It's a penalty.

Yohan Cabaye to edge Crystal Palace closer to a trip to Wembley.

Oh, he most certainly can!

Sheer delight for Crystal Palace.

-Ah, brilliant.

-Great chance. Campbell!

Finishes it off.

Fraizer Campbell makes sure that it's Crystal Palace

who will be going to Wembley.

Be not afraid of greatness.

Some are born great,

some achieve greatness,

some have greatness thrust upon them!

Greatness.

Everton and Manchester United were seeking greatness at Wembley

amidst a maddening season, order and chaos, appearance and reality.

Both managers under scrutiny.

True is it we have seen better days.

The miserable have no other medicine but only hope.

People are referring to this game as a season-defining moment for you.

-How do you look at it?

-Oh, I'm very bored with all the discussions.

But it's important for Manchester United to win something, isn't it?

It is always important when you are in a semifinal.

I think it is for Everton also important.

If all the world's a stage and all the men

and women merely players, then as they make their entrance

these players know that a defeat today could hasten a manager's exit.

Towards Lukaku to see if he can create some chaos, and he has!

Here's Lukaku. The angle's tight!

Oh, and it's knocked off the line.

Rooney got all the way back.

Lingard onside.

And Joel makes the save.

What an open start to this semifinal it's been.

That's beautiful. Martial. Fellaini!

Marouane Fellaini for Manchester United. 1-0.

Lukaku. Now, through to Barkley.

This is the chance they've been waiting for,

it's Barkley, Fosu-Mensah.

-Penalty.

-Penalty!

It could be salvation for Everton.

This is huge.

Oh, it's a brilliant save!

Absolutely magnificent save from De Gea.

Into the feet of Lukaku, that's well played. Deulofeu now.

Driven in... Oh! Own goal!

Own goal, Chris Smalling, 1-1 at Wembley!

Everton are right back in the semifinal.

Look at this. Lukaku surely!

-Oh!

-Fellaini to the rescue.

Though this be madness, yet there be method in it.

Martial.

Herrera.

Martial.

Chance to win it, he has!

That will do it for Manchester United.

They are surely into the FA Cup final.

Manchester United 2, heartbroken Everton 1.

Men of few words

are the best men.

The eagle is said to be rightfully reserved for emperors.

In the words of Shakespeare, it stands for superiority.

Four centuries after the Bard's death

and the power and the aggression remains.

Yet looks he like a king.

Behold, his eye, as bright as is the eagle's,

lightens forth controlling majesty.

Wembley Stadium awaits to find out who it is who will play

Manchester United in this season's FA Cup final.

Ball flicked on towards the far post, and it's in!

Crystal Palace with the early lead, Yannick Bolasie,

and we've only been playing for five minutes.

Britos dives in and doesn't get there,

and Bolasie, carrying the threat for Crystal Palace, once again

goes for goal, and Pantilimon makes the save.

The corner from Jurado, and it's the equalising goal!

And who else but the talismanic Troy Deeney?

And it's game on now.

The bird means superiority.

The power and the aggression...

remains.

Ball in to...Connor Wickham!

Agonisingly out of reach for Costel Pantilimon.

And Connor Wickham restores Crystal Palace's lead,

and for the second time in their history

Crystal Palace are through to the FA Cup final.

Crystal Palace versus Manchester United, the final act.

It's about to be written.

What entertainment is left in this famous old trophy

before the curtain falls?