CITY 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0
League Division 1
23rd September 1978
attendance 43,472
scorers Owen(57), R Futcher(78)
Ref M Baker
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Viljoen, Watson, P Futcher, Channon, Owen, R Futcher, Hartford, Power – sub Booth(unused)
Spurs Daines, McAllister, Gorman, Holmes, Lacy, Perryman, Villa, Ardilles, Lee, Pratt, Taylor – sub Armstrong(74)
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OWEN AND FUTCHER CELEBRATE THEIR GOALS
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FROM THE PRESS BOX
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CORRIGAN CLAMOUR
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PATRICK BARCLAY WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 25TH SEPTEMBER 1978
Joe Corrigan, the big goalkeeper who has made a habit of heroism, was once again the talk of the North this weekend. “Corrigan for England” was the cry after his brilliant goalkeeping had denied Tottenham Hotspur the victory their skill and adventure so richly deserved at Maine Road on Saturday.
A predictable voice in the chorus was Tony Book, the City manager, who said: “Joe has been doing this for us three years now. Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton may be established in the England set-up, but if this fellow got any chance at all he would establish himself, no doubt about that.” The conversation became rather more original when Book was asked to estimate how many matches Corrigan had turned City’s way this season. He replied: “All of them. Joe has made saves at vital times to keep us in every match.”
It was an extraordinary tribute to the goalkeeper. And from all accounts, well deserved. The frustration Ron Greenwood must feel at being unable to satisfy his three outstanding goalkeepers is nothing compared with that which must have afflicted Tottenham’s Taylor and Ardiles as, on after the other, they came off second best to Corrigan in thrilling examples of the match within a match.
Taylor was particularly unfortunate. After being twice denied by Corrigan early on, he chipped the goalkeeper beautifully only to see the ball strike the crossbar. Then, shortly before City went ahead through Owen in the 57th minute, he again fell victim to Corrigan’s uncanny reactions.
Joe Corrigan, the big goalkeeper who has made a habit of heroism, was once again the talk of the North this weekend. “Corrigan for England” was the cry after his brilliant goalkeeping had denied Tottenham Hotspur the victory their skill and adventure so richly deserved at Maine Road on Saturday.
A predictable voice in the chorus was Tony Book, the City manager, who said: “Joe has been doing this for us three years now. Ray Clemence and Peter Shilton may be established in the England set-up, but if this fellow got any chance at all he would establish himself, no doubt about that.” The conversation became rather more original when Book was asked to estimate how many matches Corrigan had turned City’s way this season. He replied: “All of them. Joe has made saves at vital times to keep us in every match.”
It was an extraordinary tribute to the goalkeeper. And from all accounts, well deserved. The frustration Ron Greenwood must feel at being unable to satisfy his three outstanding goalkeepers is nothing compared with that which must have afflicted Tottenham’s Taylor and Ardiles as, on after the other, they came off second best to Corrigan in thrilling examples of the match within a match.
Taylor was particularly unfortunate. After being twice denied by Corrigan early on, he chipped the goalkeeper beautifully only to see the ball strike the crossbar. Then, shortly before City went ahead through Owen in the 57th minute, he again fell victim to Corrigan’s uncanny reactions.
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Until Owen’s goal struck with eerie certainty by a young man whose shooting usually displays all the aplomb of a whirling dervish, City had struggled to live with a Tottenham side whose ambitious approach appeared well founded on the glorious gifts of Ardiles. Their play was delightful to watch, but everything that got past Watson was stopped by Corrigan.
The essence of a match dominated by two exceptional players was captured when Ardiles and Corrigan touched hands in mutual respect after the first of two sharp saves in the second half had foiled the deadly-delicate little Argentine.
It was a glimpse of high sportsmanship, proof that giants come in all sizes.
Pity Ardiles, though. His constant availability, instant control, the design and timing and weighting of his passes deserved better than defeat. So did the defensive play of Holmes, in inspired form. And the goalkeeping of Daines, whose two saves from Channon were of Corrigan class. But fate smiled most sardonically on Pratt, whose injudicious back pass was glanced into the net by Ron Futcher late on to put the match beyond recall.
“What a pass!” was Pratt;s rueful boast afterwards. “He didn’t even have to move for it. And we had a goal disallowed earlier because I was offside. I’ve had a right bloody field day.”
The essence of a match dominated by two exceptional players was captured when Ardiles and Corrigan touched hands in mutual respect after the first of two sharp saves in the second half had foiled the deadly-delicate little Argentine.
It was a glimpse of high sportsmanship, proof that giants come in all sizes.
Pity Ardiles, though. His constant availability, instant control, the design and timing and weighting of his passes deserved better than defeat. So did the defensive play of Holmes, in inspired form. And the goalkeeping of Daines, whose two saves from Channon were of Corrigan class. But fate smiled most sardonically on Pratt, whose injudicious back pass was glanced into the net by Ron Futcher late on to put the match beyond recall.
“What a pass!” was Pratt;s rueful boast afterwards. “He didn’t even have to move for it. And we had a goal disallowed earlier because I was offside. I’ve had a right bloody field day.”
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