The FA Cup Final in 2006 was not called The Gerrard Final for nothing.
Having already scored a cracking volley to make it 2-2, the Liverpool captain went one better in the second minute of injury time, with his team seemingly staring defeat in the face.
West Ham had half-cleared John-Arne Riise’s cross when it fell to the England midfielder 30 yards out. With several defenders rushing out to charge him down, Gerrard sent a low, gun-barrel straight volley screaming past Shaka Hislop.
Liverpool 3-3 West Ham Utd
Liverpool win 3-1 on penalties
The 2006 FA Cup Final
Millennium Stadium
Saturday 13 May 2006
What made the strike all the more remarkable was that Gerrard lay on the Cardiff turf just minutes earlier, suffering from cramp. But with typical determination, he dragged first himself up and hauled Liverpool into extra-time.
“When the injury-time board went up we thought our chance had gone,” admitted team-mate Peter Crouch. “But it is always good to have a player like Steven Gerrard in your team.”
It certainly is. Gerrard would also score a penalty in the shootout that eventually decided the game and sent The Cup back to Anfield.