FA Cup Final 1973

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The 1973 FA Cup Final took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium. It was the 92nd final and the 45th to be played at Wembley in the stadium's 50th anniversary year. It was contested between cup holders Leeds United who were one of the dominant teams of the time and totally unfancied second division Sunderland. The result was one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition as the second division side won 1-0, becoming only the second Division Two side to win the Cup since West Bromwich Albion in 1931.

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[edit] Match summary

Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick off, tackling fiercely and defiantly with an unremitting determination. Leeds looked anxious, lacking their usual composure. The match itself was decided by two crucial moments that would be talked about for years to come.

After 31 minutes Sunderland took the lead when Vic Halom chested down a corner from Billy Hughes. Assisted by Dave Watson between two defenders, the deflected high ball was controlled by Ian Porterfield who shot home from 12 yards. Leeds, shocked, battled back with predictable determination. Sunderland’s goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery was outstanding, defying Leeds with a string of fine saves and preserving his team’s lead.

The turning point of the match came mid-way through the second half. Montgomery dived to palm away a close range header from Trevor Cherry. It fell into the path of Lorimer who blasted goalward from 10 yards but Montgomery managed to divert the ball on to the underside of the bar and Malone scrambled the ball clear. The save has been compared with that made by England’s Gordon Banks in the 1970 FIFA World Cup match against Brazil.

The North East team survived more pressure from Leeds to secure a notable upset.

This final is also notable for being the only one to use an orange ball [1].

[edit] Match facts

Leeds United
White shirts/White shorts and socks		 0 — 1
(final score after 90 minutes)		 Sunderland
Red and White striped shirts/Black shorts/Red socks, white tops
Manager: Don Revie

Team:
Harvey (GK)
Reaney
Cherry
Bremner (c)
Madeley
Hunter
Lorimer
Clarke
Jones
Giles
Gray sub 75

Substitutes:
Yorath on 75

Scorers:

  • None

Half-time:
0-1

Competition:
FA Cup (Final)

Date:
15.00 BST Saturday 5 May 1973

Venue:
Wembley Stadium, London

Attendance:
100,000

Referee:
K Burns

Match rules:
90 minutes.
30 minutes extra-time if necessary.
Match replayed if scores still level.
One named substitute.

 Manager: Bob Stokoe

Team:
Montgomery (GK)
Malone
Guthrie
Horswill
Watson
Pitt
Bobby Kerr (c)
Billy Hughes
Halom
Porterfield
Tueart

Substitutes:
David Young

Scorers:

[edit] Road to Wembley

Leeds United
Home teams listed first.

Round 3: Norwich City 1-1 Leeds United

Replay: Leeds United 1-1 Norwich City
2nd Replay: Leeds United 5-0 Norwich City (at Villa Park)

Round 4: Leeds United 2-1 Plymouth Argyle

 

Round 5: Leeds United 2-0 WBA

 

Quarter-Final: Derby County 0-1 Leeds United

Semi-Final: Leeds United 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

(at Maine Road, Manchester)

Sunderland
Home teams listed first.

Round 3: Notts County 1-1 Sunderland

Replay: Sunderland 2-0 Notts County
 

Round 4: Sunderland 1-1 Reading

Replay: Reading 1-3 Sunderland

Round 5: Manchester City 2-2 Sunderland

Replay: Sunderland 3-1 Manchester City

Quarter-Final: Sunderland 2-0 Luton Town

Semi-Final: Sunderland 2-1 Arsenal

(at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield)

[edit] External links

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