Ian Rush scored twice in five minutes of extra time to take Liverpool into the FA Cup final with a 2–0 win over Southampton at White Hart Lane on 5 April 1986. Everton’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Villa Park set up an all-Merseyside final.
This was Liverpool’s fifth meeting with Southampton that season. They had won three and drawn one of the previous four, but needed 99 minutes to find a way through this time.
Southampton’s resistance included a clearance off the line by Nick Holmes to deny Rush. They also lost Mark Wright to a broken leg, with Andy Townsend replacing him. Despite that disruption, Chris Nicholl’s side kept the match goalless through normal time.
Rush finally opened the scoring nine minutes into the additional half-hour. Kevin Bond later recalled leaving a back-header towards Peter Shilton short, giving Rush his opportunity. Five minutes later the Liverpool striker scored again, this time with Steve Nicol providing the assist.
Liverpool had required extra time to overcome York City and Watford in the preceding rounds. Rush’s double settled another prolonged cup tie and earned Dalglish’s side a place at Wembley on 10 May.