Liverpool's route to the final began on 1 November 2000 with an all-Premier League encounter with Chelsea. Hosted at Anfield, the game was tied after 90 minutes at 1-1 however Liverpool claimed victory with a 104th minute strike from Robbie Fowler. Their reward was a fourth round tie away to Stoke, who Liverpool thrashed 8-0, with Fowler claiming a hattrick in the match. In the quarter finals, Liverpool beat Fulham 3-0 at Anfield, however all three goals came in extra time as the tie finished 0-0 after 90 minutes. Liverpool suffered a scare in the semi-finals as they lost the first leg 2-1 away to Division One side Crystal Palace, however a 5-0 victory in the return leg sealed the Reds' place at the Millenium Stadium. This was Liverpool's first final since the 1996 FA Cup.