Liverpool completed their first league and FA Cup Double by coming from behind to beat Everton 3–1 at Wembley on 10 May 1986. Ian Rush scored twice and Craig Johnston once, with Jan Mølby involved in creating all three goals.
A week after Kenny Dalglish’s winner at Chelsea had secured the championship, his side faced an Everton team playing in their third consecutive FA Cup final. For much of the first hour, Howard Kendall’s players looked capable of denying Liverpool the second trophy.
Peter Reid’s passing and Gary Lineker’s pace troubled Liverpool. In the first half, Mark Lawrenson recovered to stop Lineker with a sliding tackle, but the next decisive chase fell to Alan Hansen. Reid released Lineker beyond him and, although Bruce Grobbelaar stopped the first shot, the striker gathered the rebound to score.
Everton led 1–0 at half-time and continued to threaten afterwards. Kevin Sheedy and Trevor Steven shot narrowly wide. A disagreement between Grobbelaar and Jim Beglin added to the signs of Liverpool’s discomfort.
Gary Stevens’s misplaced pass gave them a way back. The ball reached Mølby, whose pass sent Rush through to sidestep Bobby Mimms and equalise in the 57th minute.
Everton almost regained the lead when Graeme Sharp sent a looping header towards goal. Grobbelaar recovered to tip it over the bar. Soon afterwards Liverpool went ahead: Rush worked the ball to Mølby on the left, and his low delivery crossed the goalmouth for Johnston to finish at the far post.
Kendall replaced Stevens with Adrian Heath, leaving three defenders as Everton chased the game. Liverpool’s third came six minutes from time. Mølby found Ronnie Whelan on the left; Whelan lifted the ball across to Rush, who controlled it and drove past Mimms.
Alan Hansen lifted the FA Cup. Dalglish had delivered the league and cup in his first season as player-manager.