CITY 1 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0
League Division 1
23rd November 1985
Attendance 25,179
Scorer Lillis(30)
Ref M Heath
City Nixon, Reid, Power, Clements, McCarthy, Phillips, Lillis, May, Davies, McNab, Wilson – sub Simpson(80)
Newcastle Thomas, Anderson, Bailey, McCreery, Clarke, Roeder, Davies, Gascoigne, Reilly, Beardsley, Wharton – sub McDonald(45)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PAUL FITZPATRICK WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 25TH NOVEMBER 1985
If Paul Power’s efforts at Maine Road on Saturday could have been measured in American Football terms then the Manchester City captain would surely have set some kind of rushing record,
This running back went past the bewildered Anderson so many times that the Newcastle defender must have envied his less harassed colleague, Bailey, on the other side of the pitch. Anderson did stop Power once but with a challenge so clumsy that City surely deserved a penalty. If this tackle did not constitute a penalty it would be interesting to know what. in Mr Heath’s opinion, does. Far more should have emanated from Power’s ability to reach the by line. a suitable metaphor for the side’s current advancement. but City had to make do with just one goal, prodded home by Lillis from McNab’s corner in the 30th minute.
That was enough. however, to give City a second successive victory, the first time they have achieved that modest feat since they beat Albion and Spurs at the end of August.
It was also enough to hoist City anofher place away from danger. Billy McNeill has had to build his side wlthin severe financial constraints but the last two Saturdays have given firm evidence that City have a future in the First Division, even in one that might condemn five of its sides to relegation.
A hugely entertaining first half, to which a positive Newcastle contributed fully, saw City produce some of their most enterprising. football of the season. The simple virtue of passing the ball to men in similar coloured shirts and following up in enthusiastic support brought enough chances to have submerged. their opponents.
The biggest wastrel, before and after the interval, was‘ Gordon Davies who might have had four or five goals and should have had two at the very least. But even he was given a big hand when he made way for Simpson, his inhibited finishing not distracting City’s followers from his other commendable qualities.
lncreasing anxiety and diminishing ambition overtook City in the second half and although the assured Nixon suffered no serious alarms City became increasingly grateful for the solidity of their centre backs. Clements and McCarthy. It was a pity that Clements, a player who makes maximum use of limited ability. should put Gascoigne out of the game with one gruesome challenge and attempt to do the same to McCreery with another.