1987 F.A. CUP FINAL
Saturday 16th May 1987 K.O. 3.00pm
Attendance 98,000

COVENTRY 3  (1)   TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2  (2) aet
Bennett 9   C.Allen 2
Houchen 63   Mabbutt 42
Mabbutt o.g. 96   

SKY BLUE HEAVEN!
George Curtis, Dave Bennett and John Sillett celebrate Coventry won the F.A. Cup for the first time in their history in an exciting game in which they twice came from behind. Spurs opened the scoring after only 2 minutes when Clive Allen darted in front of Trevor Peake to score with a near-post header. City levelled 7 minutes later when a cross from Greg Downs was flicked on by Keith Houchen and Dave Bennett put the ball past Clemence.

Shortly before half-time, Spurs went ahead with a Gary Mabbutt goal from a Glenn Hoddle free-kick. Spurs had most of the play in the 1st half and went into the interval leading 2-1. In the second half, Coventry began to get more possession and equalised for the second time through a Keith Houchen diving header in the 63rd minute, his 5th goal in the F.A.Cup. The score stayed at 2-2 after 90 mins and the match went into extra time. 6 minutes into extra time, City took the lead for the first time in the match. Graham Rodger, who had substituted injured team captain Brian Kilcline, sent Lloyd McGrath clear down the right and his shot was deflected into the Spurs net off Gary Mabbutt's knee.

Coventry were able to hold onto their 3-2 lead until the end of the match. By this time 'The Sky Blue Song' was echoing around Wembley Stadium and moments later the subbed Kilcline climbed the steps to receive the Cup.
Keith Houchen scores City's 2nd goal with a diving header Brian Kilcline is presented with the F.A. Cup Dave Bennett with the F.A. Cup

THE 1987 F.A. CUP WINNING TEAM

George
Curtis
(Managing Director)
    John
Sillett
(Chief Coach)
Steve
Ogrizovic
    Dave
Phillips
Greg
Downs
    Lloyd
McGrath
Brian
Kilcline
    Trevor
Peake
Dave
Bennett
    Micky
Gynn
Cyrille
Regis
  Keith
Houchen
        Nick
Pickering
The 1987 Cup-winning Team at Highfield Road before City's 2002 FA Cup 3rd Round match against Spurs on 16th January 2002 - Back Row: Nick Pickering, Trevor Peake, Steve Ogrizovic, Greg Downs, Cyrille Regis, Dave Bennett, Lloyd McGrath, Dave Phillips, Steve Sedgeley, Brian Borrows, Keith Houchen. Front Row: Brian Kilcine, Micky Gynn
The 1987 F.A. Cup-Winners 15 years later at Highfield Road on 16th January 2002


CELEBRATIONS IN COVENTRY - Sunday 17th May 1987

Celebrations in Coventry the day after winning the 1987 F.A. Cup Final
Celebrations in Coventry the day after winning the 1987 F.A. Cup Final Celebrations in Coventry the day after winning the 1987 F.A. Cup Final

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