FA Cup memoriesWhen Michael Owen won the cup 'all by himself' on way to treble

That was Clive Tyldesley's commentary as Michael Owen wheeled away to celebrate his winner in the 2001 FA Cup final against Arsenal.

Though football is a team game, Tyldesley was more than fair, given 21-year-old Owen's impact on that baking hot day in Cardiff.

Gerard Houllier's Reds were second-best at Millennium Stadium – the first FA Cup final to be held there while the new Wembley was built – but were saved by magic from the 2001 Ballon d'Or winner.

"If I could relive one day from my career, the FA Cup final of 2001 would be it," Owen would declare two decades later.

Liverpool's treble dreams appeared to be evaporating in the Welsh heat when Freddie Ljungberg gave the Gunners a deserved lead with 18 minutes remaining.

Damage could have been inflicted earlier, too, had it not been for Sami Hyypia's series of goalline clearances and a lucky escape when a penalty wasn't awarded for Stephane Henchoz handling.

Nevertheless, the Reds remained within touching distance of their opponents and stunned them with a five-minute salvo to snatch the prize out of their grasp.

It was 1-1 when Owen thrashed home in the aftermath of a free-kick, setting the stage for his 88th-minute decider.

Patrik Berger sent a ball over the top for Owen to chase. Two touches later, the ball was past David Seaman in the Arsenal goal and the No.10 was somersaulting.

"It was very late, but better late than never," Owen offered post-match. Gary McAllister added: "When you've got Michael Owen in your team, that's what can happen."

Time for celebrations was limited. Just four days later, Liverpool were in Dortmund beating Alaves in the UEFA Cup final to clinch an historic treble.

Route to the final

Third round: Liverpool 3-0 Rotherham United

Fourth round: Leeds United 0-2 Liverpool

Fifth round: Liverpool 4-2 Manchester City

Quarter-final: Tranmere Rovers 2-4 Liverpool

Semi-final: Liverpool 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers

FA Cup top scorers

Emile Heskey – 5

Michael Owen – 3

Robbie Fowler – 2

Steven Gerrard, Danny Murphy, Nicky Barmby, Vladimir Smicer, Markus Babbel, Dietmar Hamann, Jari Litmanen – 1