CITY 4 MILLWALL 0
League Division 2
16th September 1987
attendance 15,430
scorers Scott(22), Gidman(34), White(63), Stewart(89)
Ref Neil Ashley
City Nixon, Gidman, Hinchcliffe, Lake, Simpson, Redmond, White, Stewart, Varadi, Scott, McNab – subs Barnes(unused), Clements(unused)
IAN SCOTT SCORES THE OPENING GOAL
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 17TH SEPTEMBER 1987
Manchester City magnificently mastered Millwall for their most convincing victory in almost two years.
And it was a sweetly timed success that dispelled growing doubts of their ability to mount a sustained promotion challenge.
Now with another home fixture looming this weekend, and at least one game in hand on the majority of other sides, the Blues are poised to stride confidently forward and launch an autumn bid to join the leading pack.
But team manager Mel Machin said today: “We had something to prove against Millwall last night following the previous nightmare home display when Blackburn Rovers beat us. While I was pleased at the performance, not only for the players but for the fans too, we must keep a level head. This team is still learning and it needs time and patience for them to develop.”
A resounding 4-0 win was the best since Coventry were tamed 5-1 in December 1985, and Machin added: “It was the result of sheer hard work and application.”
A more significant contribution came from a midfield that was virtually non-existent in Saturday’s scoreless draw at Shrewsbury.
Ian Scott scored a superb opening goal when he rounded goalkeeper Brian Horne after running through the exposed ranks of the Millwall defence, deftly carved open by Imre Varadi and Paul Stewart to establish himself as the club’s three-goal leading marksman.
Neil McNab , too, proved a greater influential figure with the entire department more disciplined against aggressive and uncompromising opposition.
It was City’s authority here that proved a key factor in the team finding a more potent goal front touch.
There was also a more organised approach at deadball situations providing John Gidman with his first goal for City, while Stewart and David White added the others to drive home their greater class and quality.
Paul Simpson revealed himself as a willing worker both in defending as well as going forward, and his inclusion provided a better blend and balance.
Eric Nixon again handled confidently to keep his second successive clean sheet, and while this may not yet be Machin’s definitive team, he is not far short of finding it.
The youthful back four of three teenagers and the near-veteran Gidman were not as tight as they should have been with Millwall given at least a couple of gilt-edged chances.
But as Machin says: “They must learn by their mistakes.”