In one of the most dramatic finals in FA Cup history, Everton overcame a two-goal deficit with barely half an hour remaining to take the tie 3-2 at the final whistle.
After falling behind to an early Sheffield Wednesday goal, Everton had been unlucky to go in a goal down at half-time: Alex Young had what seemed a legitimate goal ruled out for offside, then saw a penalty appeal waved away. Wednesday doubled their lead on 57 minutes and commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme declared it ‘Wednesday’s Cup’.
But no one had banked on Mike Trebilcock, a rookie striker in for the injured Fred Pickering. His quickfire double on 59 and 64 minutes transformed the tie. With 17 minutes remaining Derek Temple broke clear and, one-on-one with the Wednesday keeper Ron Springett, struck a low winner.
‘The match which no one save the two cities concerned wanted had become the match which thrilled millions,’ Leslie Edwards recorded in the Liverpool Echo. ‘I congratulate the club, the team and everyone concerned – and especially the scout who ìfoundî Trebilcock – on a Wembley victory any club will find it hard to equal much less surpass.’
