Nine minutes later, Everton came raiding forward again. Matt Jackson surged into the United area before squaring the ball to the unmarked Graham Stuart who watched in disbelief as his shot crashed off the underside of the bar. Bruce, hampered by his injured leg, could do little as Paul Rideout rose to head the ball home from 6 yards to send half of Wembley wild.

Bruce was removed at the half-time interval to be replaced by Giggs who sparked 45 minutes of intense pressure on Neville Southall's goal. The veteran 'keeper was in fine form, most notably when he made a stunning doubkle save to deny Paul Scholes. Man-of-the -Match Dave Watson rallied his troops in inspiring fashion as the Everton defence held firm against waves of attacks. In the dying stages even the United goal keeper, Peter Schmeichel, was coming forward for free-kicks and corners but it was not to be Alex Ferguson's day. It was to be Everton's time of celebration as they displayed the measure of the transformation achieved under Joe Royle since late November 1994.