For a few minutes at Wembley, Steve Heighway had Liverpool on course to win the FA Cup. His goal early in extra time broke a ninety-minute deadlock. By the end of the afternoon, Arsenal had recovered to complete the Double.
The final on 8 May 1971 ended 2–1 to Bertie Mee’s side. Liverpool’s return to Wembley, earned by beating Everton in the semi-final, brought them close to a trophy but left Bill Shankly’s developing team with runners-up medals.
Arsenal had secured the league championship at Tottenham earlier that week. Liverpool stood between them and a second major prize. Neither side scored in normal time, and both managers used their substitute: Eddie Kelly replaced Peter Storey for Arsenal, while Peter Thompson came on for Alun Evans.
Heighway found the opening soon after the restart for extra time. From the left, he drove a low shot past Bob Wilson at the near post. The player who had scored the winner in Liverpool’s quarter-final replay at Tottenham had now put them ahead in the final.
Wilson then saved from John Toshack. Liverpool’s lead remained a single goal, and Arsenal levelled before the first period of extra time was over. Kelly was credited with the equaliser following a scramble in the penalty area.
The winner came in the second period. Charlie George struck from outside the box, beating Ray Clemence. His celebration, lying flat on his back with his arms spread, became one of the defining images of Arsenal’s Double.
For Liverpool, the result was a sharp reversal. They had survived ninety minutes without conceding and scored first, only to lose both the lead and the final within the additional half-hour.
The response at home gave the occasion a further place in the club’s history. After the final, supporters gathered at St George’s Hall, where Shankly addressed them from the steps. He spoke about the privilege his players had in representing them and the evidence of that support before their eyes.
The welcome did not alter the Wembley result. It did show that a season ending in disappointment had strengthened the connection between Shankly’s emerging side and the people following it.