1965 FA Cup Final the final in 1914, when they lost 1–0 to Burnley and in 1950, when they were beaten 2–0 by Arsenal. Leeds were appearing in their first final, the furthest they had reached before was the quarter-finals of the 1949–50 FA Cup, when they lost to Arsenal. The two previous meetings between the teams during the season resulted in a win each. Leeds won the first match 4–2 in August, at Elland Road. The return fixture at Anfield was won 2–1 by Liverpool. Liverpool played Wolverhampton Wanderers a week before the final in their last match of the 1964–65 Football League
1986–87 FA Cup were played over the weekend 21–22 February 1987, with the first set of replays on 24th-25th. The sixth round of FA Cup games were played over the weekend 14–15 March 1987. There were no replays. Seven time winners Tottenham Hotspur were drawn with 1984 finalists Watford for the Villa Park semi-final, which saw the North Londoners win 4-1 and reach their eighth final, having won all of their previous FA Cup finals. Hillsborough was the venue for the other semi-final. Fallen giants Leeds United were on the comeback trail under the management of former captain Billy Bremner, pushing for promotion