City played what was their eighth FA Cup Semi-final tie against Tottenham at Villa Park.
However, Bobby Johnstone’s header before half time was enough to send City to their sixth final.
But it didn’t come without a moment of controversy, when Spurs were denied a penalty after attacker George Robb was grabbed at the leg by Bert Trautmann towards the end of the game.
The final took place on Saturday, 5 May 1956 at Wembley and ended 3–1, with goals scored by Joe Hayes, Bobby Johnstone and Jack Dyson for Manchester City and Noel Kinsey for Birmingham City.
The match is remembered for an incident where Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann sustained a neck injury diving at the feet of Birmingham attacker Peter Murphy; he completed the game in considerable pain, and later examination discovered he had broken a bone in his neck.