2000–01 FA Cup
The 2000–01 FA Cup (known as The FA Cup sponsored by AXA for sponsorship reasons) was the 120th season of the world's oldest knockout football competition, the FA Cup. The competition was won by Liverpool, who came from 1–0 behind against Arsenal to eventually win 2–1 in the final. The final was played outside England for the first time, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, because Wembley Stadium was being knocked down to be replaced with a new stadium.
| Country |  England  Wales | 
|---|---|
| Champions | Liverpool (6th title) | 
| Runners-up | Arsenal | 
| Top goal scorer(s) | Sylvain Wiltord Robert Earnshaw (6 goals) | 
| 2001–02 →  | |
First round proper
    
This round is the first in which teams from the Second Division and Third Division compete with non-League teams.
Second round proper
    
| Tie no | Home team | Score | Away team | 
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blackpool | 0–1 | Yeovil Town | 
| 2 | Chester City | 3–2 | Oxford United | 
| 3 | Darlington | 0–0 | Luton Town | 
| replay | Luton Town | 2–0 | Darlington | 
| 4 | AFC Bournemouth | 3–0 | Nuneaton Borough | 
| 5 | Bristol City | 3–1 | Kettering Town | 
| 6 | Walsall | 2–1 | Barnet | 
| 7 | Northwich Victoria | 3–3 | Leyton Orient | 
| replay | Leyton Orient | 3–2 | Northwich Victoria | 
| 8 | Lincoln City | 0–1 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 
| 9 | Swindon Town | 5–0 | Gateshead | 
| 10 | Kidderminster Harriers | 0–2 | Carlisle United | 
| 11 | Millwall | 0–0 | Wycombe Wanderers | 
| replay | Wycombe Wanderers | 2–1 | Millwall | 
| 12 | Southend United | 2–1 | Canvey Island | 
| 13 | Scunthorpe United | 2–1 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 
| 14 | Cardiff City | 3–1 | Cheltenham Town | 
| 15 | Southport | 1–2 | Kingstonian | 
| 16 | Morecambe | 2–1 | Cambridge United | 
| 17 | York City | 2–2 | Reading | 
| replay | Reading | 1–3 | York City | 
| 18 | Rotherham United | 1–0 | Northampton Town | 
| 19 | Wigan Athletic | 1–1 | Notts County | 
| replay | Notts County | 2–1 | Wigan Athletic | 
| 20 | Peterborough United | 1–1 | Oldham Athletic | 
| replay | Oldham Athletic | 0–1 | Peterborough United | 
Third round proper
    
This round marked the first time First Division and Premier League (top-flight) teams played. The draw for the 3rd round of the FA Cup was taken on Sunday 10 December 2000.
| 6 January 2001 | AFC Bournemouth | 2–3 | Gillingham | Bournemouth | 
| Defoe  21' Fletcher  55' | Report | Hope  17' Hessenthaler  27' Shaw  71' | Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 7,403 Referee: Rob Harris | 
| 6 January 2001 | Burnley | 2–2 | Scunthorpe United | Burnley | 
| Thomas-Moore  45' Johnrose  90' | Report | Hodges  2' Ipoua  47' | Stadium: Turf Moor Attendance: 8,054 Referee: Graham Frankland | 
| 23 January 2001 Replay | Scunthorpe United | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | Burnley | Scunthorpe | 
| Dawson  82' | Report | Payton  73' | Stadium: Glanford Park Attendance: 4,709 Referee: Graham Frankland | 
| 6 January 2001 | Liverpool | 3–0 | Rotherham United | Liverpool | 
| Heskey  47', 75' Hamann  73' Bišćan  62'  | Report | Stadium: Anfield Attendance: 30,689 Referee: Mark Halsey | 
| 6 January 2001 | Preston North End | 0–1 | Stockport County | Preston | 
| Report | Fradin  71' | Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 9,975 Referee: Paul Danson | 
| 6 January 2001 | Southampton | 1–0 | Sheffield United | Southampton | 
| Dodd  73' (p) | Report | Ford  74' | Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 14,158 Referee: David Elleray | 
| 6 January 2001 | Watford | 1–2 | Everton | Watford | 
| Mooney  21' Page  81'  | Report | Hughes  82' Watson  90' | Stadium: Vicarage Road Attendance: 15,635 Referee: Rob Styles | 
| 6 January 2001 | Walsall | 2–3 | West Ham United | Walsall | 
| Wrack  33' Angell  87' | Report | Lampard  6' Kanouté  57', 81' | Stadium: Bescot Stadium Attendance: 9,402 Referee: Andy D'Urso | 
| 6 January 2001 | Leicester City | 3–0 | York City | Leicester | 
| Rowett  57' Izzet  63' (p) Cresswell  73' | Report | Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 16,850 Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme | 
| 7 January 2001 | Nottingham Forest | 0–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Nottingham | 
| Report | Proudlock  87' | Stadium: City Ground Attendance: 14,601 Referee: David Pugh | 
| 6 January 2001 | Blackburn Rovers | 2–0 | Chester City | Blackburn | 
| Taylor  72' Bent  84' | Report | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 15,223 Referee: Steve Baines | 
| 6 January 2001 | Sheffield Wednesday | 2–1 | Norwich City | Sheffield | 
| Hamshaw  41' Sibon  82' | Report | Roberts  74' | Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 15,971 Referee: David Laws | 
| 6 January 2001 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–1 | Yeovil Town | Bolton | 
| O'Kane  44' Ricketts  90' | Report | Patmore  25' | Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 11,161 Referee: Roy Pearson | 
| 6 January 2001 | Sunderland | 0–0 | Crystal Palace | Sunderland | 
| Varga  89' | Report | Mullins  57' | Stadium: Stadium of Light Attendance: 30,908 Referee: Mike Riley | 
| 17 January 2001 Replay | Crystal Palace | 2–4 (a.e.t.) | Sunderland | London | 
| Morrison  24' Thomson  24' | Report | Quinn  73' Phillips  73', 102', 113' Dichio  103'  | Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 15,454 Referee: Mike Riley | 
| 6 January 2001 | Derby County | 3–2 | West Bromwich Albion | Derby | 
| Christie  43', 75' Eranio  53' | Report | Taylor  77' Hughes  80' | Stadium: Pride Park Attendance: 19,232 Referee: Neale Barry | 
| 6 January 2001 | Luton Town | 3–3 | Queen's Park Rangers | Luton | 
| Fotiadis  27' George  36' Douglas  77' | Report | Crouch  48', 53' Peacock  90' (p) | Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 8,677 Referee: Roger Furnandiz | 
| 17 January 2001 Replay | Queen's Park Rangers | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Luton Town | London | 
| Kiwomya  90', 112' | Report | Mansell  1' | Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 14,395 Referee: Roger Furnandiz | 
| 6 January 2001 | Swindon Town | 0–2 | Coventry City | Swindon | 
| Report | Bellamy  5' Hadji  64' | Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 14,445 Referee: Steve Bennett | 
| 7 January 2001 | Newcastle United | 1–1 | Aston Villa | Newcastle | 
| Solano  80' | Report | Stone  54' | Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 37,682 Referee: Paul Durkin | 
| 17 January 2001 Replay | Aston Villa | 1–0 | Newcastle United | Birmingham | 
| Vassell  50' | Report | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 25,387 Referee: Paul Durkin | 
| 6 January 2001 | Wycombe Wanderers | 1–1 | Grimsby Town | Newcastle | 
| McCarthy  73' | Report | Nielsen  43' | Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 5,390 Referee: Phil Dowd | 
| 16 January 2001 Replay | Grimsby Town | 1–3 | Wycombe Wanderers | Cleethorpes | 
| Jeffrey  44' | Report | McCarthy  31' Simpson  32' Rogers  66' | Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 3,269 Referee: Phil Dowd | 
| 6 January 2001 | Manchester City | 3–2 | Birmingham City | Manchester | 
| Morrison  18' Huckerby  31' Goater  41' (p) | Report | Grainger  57' Adebola  61' | Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 19,380 Referee: Matt Messias | 
| 7 January 2001 | Fulham | 1–2 | Manchester United | London | 
| Fernandes  24' | Report | Solskjær  8' Sheringham  89' | Stadium: Craven Cottage Attendance: 19,178 Referee: Jeff Winter | 
| 6 January 2001 | Portsmouth | 1–2 | Tranmere Rovers | Portsmouth | 
| Bradbury  8' | Report | Yates  44' Parkinson  69' Roberts  71'  | Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 11,058 Referee: Dermot Gallagher | 
| 8 January 2001 | Bradford City | 0–1 | Middlesbrough | Bradford | 
| Report | Ricard  69' | Stadium: Valley Parade Attendance: 7,303 Referee: Graham Barber | 
| 6 January 2001 | Carlisle United | 0–1 | Arsenal | Carlisle | 
| Report | Wiltord  22' | Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 15,300 Referee: Stephen Lodge | 
| 6 January 2001 | Chelsea | 5–0 | Peterborough United | London | 
| Zola  37', 84' Hasselbaink  45' Guðjohnsen  72' Poyet  74' | Report | Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 31,912 Referee: Clive Wilkes | 
| 6 January 2001 | Wimbledon | 2–2 | Notts County | London | 
| Ardley  29' Karlsson  42' | Report | Hughes  36' Stallard  49' | Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 4,391 Referee: Peter Walton | 
| 27 January 2001 Replay | Notts County | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Wimbledon | Nottingham | 
| Report | Andersen  119' Willmott  110'  | Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 9,084 Referee: Peter Walton | 
| 6 January 2001 | Southend United | 0–1 | Kingstonian | Southend | 
| Roget  45' | Report | Akuamoah  8' Patterson  45' | Stadium: Roots Hall Attendance: 7,270 Referee: Keith Hill | 
| 6 January 2001 | Huddersfield Town | 0–2 | Bristol City | Huddersfield | 
| Report | Clist  55' Beadle  82' | Stadium: Alfred McAlpine Stadium Attendance: 9,192 Referee: William Burns | 
| 6 January 2001 | Cardiff City | 1–1 | Crewe Alexandra | Cardiff | 
| Bowen  18' (og) | Report | Young  62' | Stadium: Ninian Park Attendance: 13,403 Referee: Mark Warren | 
| 16 January 2001 Replay | Crewe Alexandra | 2–1 | Cardiff City | Crewe | 
| Smith  10' Rivers  77' | Report | Earnshaw  37' | Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 5,785 Referee: Mark Warren | 
| 6 January 2001 | Charlton Athletic | 1–1 | Dagenham & Redbridge | London | 
| Salako  86' | Report | McDougald  42' | Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 19,059 Referee: Alan Wiley | 
| 27 January 2001 Replay | Dagenham & Redbridge | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Charlton Athletic | Dagenham | 
| Report | Newton  92' | Stadium: Victoria Road Attendance: 5,394 Referee: Alan Wiley | 
| 6 January 2001 | Morecambe | 0–3 | Ipswich Town | Morecambe | 
| Report | Stewart  14' Armstrong  65' Wright  75' | Stadium: Christie Park Attendance: 5,923 Referee: Uriah Rennie | 
| 6 January 2001 | Leeds United | 1–0 | Barnsley | Leeds | 
| Viduka  9' | Report | Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 32,386 Referee: Graham Poll | 
| 6 January 2001 | Leyton Orient | 0–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | Leyton | 
| Report | Doherty  90' | Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 12,336 Referee: Peter Jones | 
Fourth round proper
    
Matches played the weekend of 27 January, with replays during the week of 6 February.
| 27 January 2001 | Bristol City | 1–1 | Kingstonian | Bristol | 
| Thorpe  90' | Report | Wingfield  57' | Stadium: Ashton Gate Attendance: 14,787 Referee: Graham Poll | 
| 7 February 2001 Replay | Kingstonian | 0–1 | Bristol City | Kingston upon Thames | 
| Report | Murray  88' | Stadium: Kingsmeadow Attendance: 3,341 Referee: Barry Knight | 
| 27 January 2001 | Southampton | 3–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | Southampton | 
| Davies  11' Dodd  80' (p) Beattie  90' | Report | Booth  66' | Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,251 Referee: Clive Wilkes | 
| 28 January 2001 | Gillingham | 2–4 | Chelsea | Gillingham | 
| Shaw  51' Onuora  66' | Report | Guðjohnsen  3', 90' Grønkjær  13', 24' | Stadium: Priestfield Stadium Attendance: 10,419 Referee: Dermot Gallagher | 
| 27 January 2001 | Blackburn Rovers | 0–0 | Derby County | Blackburn | 
| Report | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 18,858 Referee: Roy Pearson | 
| 7 February 2001 Replay | Derby County | 2–5 | Blackburn Rovers | Derby | 
| Riggott  3' Eranio  70' | Report | Flitcroft  48' Bent  57', 71' Dunn  65' (p) Jansen  77' | Stadium: Pride Park Attendance: 15,203 Referee: Roy Pearson | 
| 27 January 2001 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Leicester City | Birmingham | 
| Joachim  76' Vassell  34'  | Report | Akinbiyi  42' Gunnlaugsson  84' Davidson  45'  | Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 26,383 Referee: Uriah Rennie | 
| 28 January 2001 | Bolton Wanderers | 5–1 | Scunthorpe United | Bolton | 
| Holdsworth  27', 29', 47' Nolan  51', 75' | Report | Calvo García  30' | Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 11,737 Referee: Matt Messias | 
| 27 January 2001 | Crewe Alexandra | 0–1 | Stockport County | Crewe | 
| Report | Wiss  85' | Stadium: Alexandra Stadium Attendance: 7,318 Referee: Mick Fletcher | 
| 6 February 2001 | Middlesbrough | 0–0 | Wimbledon | Middlesbrough | 
| Report | Stadium: Riverside Stadium Attendance: 20,625 Referee: Mike Dean | 
| 13 February 2001 Replay | Wimbledon | 3–1 (a.e.t.) | Middlesbrough | London | 
| Ardley  76' (p) Euell  95' Hunt  112' | Report | Ricard  45' Ehiogu  97' | Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 5,991 Referee: Mike Dean | 
| 27 January 2001 | Sunderland | 1–0 | Ipswich Town | Sunderland | 
| Dichio  23' | Report | Stadium: Stadium of Light Attendance: 33,626 Referee: Steve Bennett | 
| 27 January 2001 | Everton | 0–3 | Tranmere Rovers | Liverpool | 
| Report | Yates  22', 62' Koumas  35' | Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 39,207 Referee: Jeff Winter | 
| 27 January 2001 | Wycombe Wanderers | 2–1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | High Wycombe | 
| Rammell  37' Parkin  85' | Report | Robinson  59' | Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 9,617 Referee: Paul Danson | 
| 27 January 2001 | Manchester City | 1–0 | Coventry City | Manchester | 
| Goater  90' | Report | Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 24,637 Referee: David Elleray | 
| 27 January 2001 | Queen's Park Rangers | 2–6 | Arsenal | London | 
| Christie  43', 75' | Report | Plummer  32' (og) Wiltord  33', 56' Rose  49' Pires  58' Bergkamp  74' | Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 19,003 Referee: Neale Barry | 
| 28 January 2001 | Manchester United | 0–1 | West Ham United | Manchester | 
| Report | Di Canio  76' | Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 67,029 Referee: Paul Durkin | 
| 7 February 2001 | Charlton Athletic | 2–4 | Tottenham Hotspur | London | 
| Powell  11' Svensson  49' | Report | Rufus  58' (og) Anderton  62' Leonhardsen  63' Rebrov  82' | Stadium: The Valley Attendance: 18,101 Referee: Steve Dunn | 
| 27 January 2001 | Leeds United | 0–2 | Liverpool | Leeds | 
| Report | Barmby  88' Heskey  90' | Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 37,108 Referee: Andy D'Urso | 
Fifth round proper
    
Matches played weekend of 17 February, with replays on 20 February and 7 March.
The biggest surprises of the round saw Tranmere Rovers complete one of the greatest FA Cup comebacks ever when they beat Southampton 4–3 in a replay after they had been trailing 3–0 at half time. (with 36-year-old former Southampton striker Paul Rideout scoring a hat-trick for Tranmere), while Wycombe Wanderers reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history with a penalty shoot-out win over Wimbledon that follow two 2–2 draws.
| 17 February 2001 | Bolton Wanderers | 1–1 | Blackburn Rovers | Bolton | 
| Ricketts  62' | Report | Flitcroft    10' Dunn  40' | Stadium: Reebok Stadium Attendance: 22,048 Referee: David Pugh | 
| 7 March 2001 Replay | Blackburn Rovers | 3–0 | Bolton Wanderers | Blackburn | 
| Flitcroft  56' Hignett  73' (pen.),  80' | Report | Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 20,318 Referee: Mark Halsey | 
| 17 February 2001 | Leicester City | 3–0 | Bristol City | Leicester | 
| Sturridge  10' Hill  15' (o.g.) Izzet  83' (pen.) | Report | Stadium: Filbert Street Attendance: 20,905 Referee: Paul Durkin | 
| 17 February 2001 | Southampton | 0–0 | Tranmere Rovers | Southampton | 
| Report | Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 15,232 Referee: Steve Dunn | 
| 20 February 2001 Replay | Tranmere Rovers | 4–3 | Southampton | Birkenhead | 
| Rideout  59',  71',  80' Barlow  83' | Report | Kachloul  12' Tessem  26' Richards  45' | Stadium: Prenton Park Attendance: 12,910 Referee: Steve Dunn | 
| 17 February 2001 | Sunderland | 0–1 | West Ham United | Sunderland | 
| Report | Kanouté  76' | Stadium: Stadium of Light Attendance: 36,005 Referee: Alan Wiley | 
| 17 February 2001 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4–0 | Stockport County | Tottenham | 
| King  5' Davies  30',  50' Flynn  44' (o.g.) | Report | Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 36,040 Referee: Clive Wilkes | 
| 17 February 2001 | Wycombe Wanderers | 2–2 | Wimbledon | Wycombe | 
| Simpson  72' Brown  80' | Report | Williams  32' Agyemang  44' | Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 9,650 Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme | 
| 20 February 2001 Replay | Wimbledon | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (7–8 p) | Wycombe Wanderers | London | 
| Ainsworth  11' Gray  91' | Report | Carroll  30' Simpson    68' McCarthy  120' | Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 9,464 Referee: Eddie Wolstenholme | 
Sixth round proper
    
Matches were played on 10 & 11 March.
The most significant result of the round was Premier League side Leicester City's 2–1 home defeat to Division Two underdogs Wycombe Wanderers, who had only been in the Football League for eight seasons.
Blackburn Rovers and Tranmere Rovers, the last remaining Division One sides in the competition, were eliminated at this stage by Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.
| Leicester City | 1–2 | Wycombe Wanderers | 
|---|---|---|
| Izzet  68' | Report | McCarthy  50' Essandoh  90' | 
| Tranmere Rovers | 2–4 | Liverpool | 
|---|---|---|
| Yates  47' Allison  58' | Report | Murphy  12' Owen  27' Gerrard  52' Fowler  82' (pen.) | 
| West Ham United | 2–3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 
|---|---|---|
| Pearce  43' Todorov  72' | Report | Rebrov  31',  57' Doherty  62' | 
Semi-finals
    
Unlike earlier rounds, matches were played on neutral grounds on Sunday, 8 April 2001.
Final
    
A 72nd-minute goal by Freddie Ljungberg looked to have won the trophy for Arsenal and ended their three-year trophy drought, but two late goals from Michael Owen gave the trophy to a Liverpool side who had already won the League Cup and would then go on to win the UEFA Cup as well. This success made Liverpool only the second side to win the FA Cup and League Cup in the same season - the first being Arsenal in 1993. This was the beginning of a streak in which Arsenal reached the final four times out of five, winning three of those.
Media coverage
    
In the United Kingdom, ITV were the free to air broadcasters for the fourth consecutive and final season before the BBC regained it while Sky Sports were the subscription broadcasters for the thirteenth consecutive season.
The matches shown live on ITV Sport were: Newcastle United 1-1 Aston Villa (R3); Manchester United 0–1 West Ham United (R4); Liverpool 4–2 Manchester City (R5); Tranmere Rovers 2–4 Liverpool (QF); Wycombe Wanderers 1–2 Liverpool (SF); Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal (Final).