The cup finals offered something like mixed-bag: the FA Cup opposed Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion. Not a contest, if it was a final somewhere else: the second strongest against the weakest. But England is England and lowly Brighton managed to get a replay – the final ended 2-2. The replay, however, produced no miracle, but rather inevitable anticlimax – much classier United won easily over exhausted small fry 4-0.
Under the circumstances, it was wonderful achievement – Brighton lost, but not without a good fight, against much stronger opponent. It was also a good ending of otherwise terrible season in which the Seagulls finished last in First Division. It was mission impossible, though – Brighton largely depended on few veterans, neither enough, nor at their peak, to win a game against the very best of England.
It was great to finish the season with a trophy, but somewhat it was not exactly convincing – this squad should have been more successful. And the chance was at hand: Manchester United also reached the Football League Cup final, where was the prefect moment for proving their worth – they met Liverpool. The two best squads at this time. The best opportunity in face-to-face clash to show United’s vintage was better than Liverpool’s. The perfect moment for Robson, Whiteside, Wilkins &Co. to prove they were the best players in England. But… they only proved number two status: true, they lost the final only in overtime, but they lost it. Whelan made it 2-1 for Liverpool, and United was unable to equalize.
Liverpool ended the season with a double. Well, one thing was certain after beating the only team which appeared close in its make: Liverpool had no rival. Even on African level Liverpool prevailed – Zimbabwean Bruce Grobelaar allowed one goal; South African Gary Bailey – two.