Harewood still reminded of 2006 FA Cup final miss for Hammers
The 2006 FA Cup final could have been so different if Marlon Harewood hadn’t sliced a glorious late opportunity wide – and the former West Ham striker admits he still hasn’t lived that moment down.
In the best FA Cup final of the 21st century so far, Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard had already hobbled up and spanked an incredible 91st-minute, 35-yard half-volley into the bottom corner to make it 3-3 and force extra-time.
With just two minutes remaining of the additional 30, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina tipped a Nigel Reo-Coker shot on to the post and it rebounded to Harewood six yards out – only for the cramp-stricken Hammers frontman to skew the ball horrendously off-target.
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The Reds would go on to win the penalty shoot-out 3-1, with Harewood too injured to take a spot-kick, and the now-37-year-old concedes he is often reminded of his egregious miss.
“It’s scary how so many people all remember that moment from a 120-minute plus game!” recalled Harewood.
“I couldn’t even walk and it’s funny how people don’t think about me walking, but of me missing the chance!
“At that time I was just walking around the pitch because I couldn’t get anywhere and we were holding out, then we had a free-kick in the last minute and everyone was in the box.
“The ball came over and I just tried to swing my leg, and everyone remembers that moment in my life now – especially West Ham fans, obviously!
“I was usually penalty-taker and I couldn’t take one because I couldn’t walk!
“I would have loved to have taken one and hopefully I’d have scored, but you can’t really tell until you’ve taken one to find out what would have really happened. I’d definitely have been up there.”
