CITY 1 ARSENAL 1
League Division 1
10th March 1990
Attendance 29,087
Scorers
City White(24)
Arsenal Marwood(48)
Ref David Phillips
City Dibble, Harper, Hinchcliffe, Reid, Hendry, Redmond, White, Heath, M Ward, Megson, Lake – Subs Allen(71), I Brightwell(unused)
Arsenal Lukic, Dixon, Winterburn, Thomas, Bould, Adams, Rocastle, Richardson, Smith, Campbell, Marwood – Subs Hayes(69), O’Leary(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
EDDIE BOOTH WRITING IN THE SUNDAY LIFE 11TH MARCH 1990
Manchester City survived a second half Blitz from League champions Arsenal as both sides eventually had to settle for a point at Maine Road.
Arsenal’s promising young striker Kevin Campbell missed a string of late chances as the Gunners piled the pressure on City.
Arsenal needed the points to keep up the momentum of their championship challenge while City needed to win to climb out of the bottom three.
Arsenal manager George Graham said: “We are very disappointed. Although we were 1-0 down at the interval the second half was a bombardment. We should have won 8-4. We gave a good attacking performance and I have never seen such a one-sided second half.”
City boss Howard Kendall said “it was like a cup tie. We did well in the first half but Arsenal looked dangerous after the break. I felt we had to have a go at them but it could have proved costly for us in the second half.”
City took the lead in the 24th minute when Paul Lake found Gary Megson unmarked in the Arsenal box and his pass set up David White to score from close range. Arsenal’s equaliser came two minutes after the interval, City captain Steve Redmond made a hash of cutting out Lee Dixon’s cross from the right and Brian Marwood hammered the ball into the net from six yards out.
Arsenal piled on the pressure after that with the best chance coming when substitute Martin Hayes put Campbell clear and City goalkeeper Dibble had to race off the line to block his efforts superbly.
City could have snatched the second goal late on, but Arsenal goalkeeper John Lukic made a brilliant save from Adrian Heath’s 20 yard shot.
