West Ham and Liverpool will this morning lodge appeals with the Football Association against the red cards shown to Hayden Mullins and Luis Garcia in the hope both players will be cleared to play in the FA Cup final.

The two midfielders were sent off after clashing nine minutes from time in the Reds' 2-1 win at Upton Park and the automatic three-match ban would rule them out of next month's final.

But Hammers boss Alan Pardew and his Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez joined forces after the game to urge the FA to show "common sense" and allow both players to be involved at the Millennium Stadium next month.

"By the letter of the law, perhaps they should have been sent off - but we are all in agreement the FA should show some clemency on this," said Pardew.

"We are both playing each other in the final so it is not affecting anybody else. A tiny little incident has cost them both a very special day. It was a little moment but as it stands at the moment they will both miss out, which will be a big, big shame and take away from what I think will be a terrific final.

"There is not much we can do. We will appeal and express our feelings and I hope there is some common sense there and that they will show some sympathy. I hope it can be downgraded. If they want to do three matches, maybe two this year and one next year."