Third Division Brentford's impressive cup run was ended by a 4–0 defeat at Liverpool, who were chasing the double.
Nottingham Forest kept alive their outside chances of a unique domestic treble by winning 1–0 against Manchester United, who lost their own last chance of silverware in a season in which they had failed to feature in the title race.
The second all-Merseyside FA Cup final in four seasons ended like the previous one, with Liverpool beating Everton and Ian Rush scoring twice, although this time the scoreline was 3–2 rather than 3–1.
A fourth-minute goal from John Aldridge handed the initiative to Liverpool, but a late equaliser by substitute Stuart McCall forced extra-time.
As a tribute to the fans who had died in the Hillsborough disaster, both teams wore black armbands and observed a minute's silence prior to the match.
The rescheduled Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest match at Old Trafford was the first semi-final ever to be televised live and highlights of the other semi final between Everton and Norwich, which coincided with the Hillsborough disaster, were not shown until the build-up coverage on the day of the final.