PAUL KONCHESKY is still haunted by West Ham’s 2006 FA Cup final heartbreak.
The former left-back put his beloved Hammers 3-2 up against Liverpool in Cardiff, before Steven Gerrard’s iconic 35-yard stoppage time equaliser.
PAPaul Konchesky gave West Ham the lead in the 2006 FA Cup final[/caption]
But having seen his team twice blow a lead before he missed a decisive spot-kick in the shootout, Konchesky has found it impossible to watch a full re-run in the 17 years since.
The 41-year-old told SunSport: “Losing and missing a penalty in the FA Cup final is something I don’t really want to talk about.
“I still feel gutted. We were so close.
“I have never watched the whole game back.
“When I scored it felt like it was the 85th or 86th minute.
“But I quickly realised it was only the 64th and we had more than 25 minutes to go against that Liverpool team.
“Then he [Gerrard] goes and does what he does.
“To play in a Cup final for my football club was a dream come true but it’s the result that counts.”
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© Jim BennettKonchesky, 41, was able to raise a smile while chatting to SunSport[/caption]
West Ham, who haven’t reached an FA Cup final since, were in wonderland just 28 minutes into their first one for 26 years.
Jamie Carragher scored a comical own-goal before Dean Ashton pounced on Pepe Reina’s spill to put them 2-0 up.
But Gerrard’s wonder-pass set up Djibril Cisse’s volley before the Reds legend smashed in an equaliser nine minutes after half-time.
Konchesky had his fellow cockneys dreaming again when his skewed cross looped over Reina and dropped in at the back post.
But one minute into stoppage time, just seconds after Lionel Scaloni spooned a naff clearance into midfield rather than let Liverpool’s sporting throw-in go out for a goal-kick, Gerrard made it 3-3 with one of the most famous Cup final goals ever.
A shattered West Ham eventually lost 3-1 on penalties. Konchesky took their third which Reina saved with his legs.
His normal-time strike was the twice-capped England defender’s only goal in 37 FA Cup matches across his 20-year career.
The Dagenham boy, who went on to play for Liverpool from 2010-11, still finds it difficult to look back at that day.
‘IT WAS A CROSS’
But the former Charlton and Leicester star managed a laugh when asked whether he meant to lob hapless Spaniard Reina.
Speaking to SunSport at his Brentwood pie ‘n’ mash shop “Konch’s Kafe”, the now-West Ham Women boss said: “It was a cross but it ended up in the back of the net and no one can ever take that away from me.
“I’ll never forget the day, journey and fantastic football team we had. It’s just a shame about the result.”
Konchesky played every minute of West Ham’s magical Cup run. They dispatched Norwich, Blackburn and Bolton in the early rounds.
A 2-1 quarter-final triumph at Manchester City followed before Marlon Harewood sealed a 1-0 semi win over Middlesbrough at Villa Park.
David Moyes’ side sit 16th in the Premier League, after Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of Nottingham Forest, but have been much better in the cups.
They won all six of their Europa Conference League group games and beat Brentford then Derby away to reach the FA Cup fifth round.
Tonight’s Old Trafford clash marks the FIFTH time in SEVEN years West Ham have been drawn away against United in the domestic cups.
‘WEST HAM CAN CAUSE THEM PROBLEMS’
From those, the east Londoners only progressed to the next round once with last season’s 1-0 League Cup win.
That was the Hammers’ first Old Trafford victory since 2007 – on the last day of Konchesky’s final campaign with the club.
But with 6,000 away tickets sold, he backed the Irons to win in Manchester – just like his team did at City in ’06 courtesy of Ashton’s double.
He added: “Man United have got some fantastic attacking players but teams can hurt them on the break.
“West Ham counter-attack quickly and are dangerous with Jarrod Bowen, Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio – whoever they play.
“You have to defend and soak up pressure at Man United but West Ham can cause them problems.”
© Jim BennettKonchesky chats at ‘Konch’s Cafe’[/caption] Read More