CITY 2 BIRMINGHAM CITY 0
League Division 1
8th November 1975
attendance 28,329
scorers Bell(24 & 31)
Ref L Hayes
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Doyle, Watson, Oakes, Barnes, Bell, Royle, Hartford, Tueart – sub Booth(unused)
Birmingham Latchford, Martin, Pendrey, Kendall, Gallagher, Burns, Campbell, Francis, Withe, Hatton, Hibbitt – sub Want
Colin Bell blasted his way back to top form with a two goal knockout punch for Manchester City against Birmingham at Maine Road today.
And England coach Les Cocker also saw a dazzling display from teenage winger Peter Barnes.
Barnes called in to the England under 23 squad yesterday, celebrated by giving the Brum defence a roasting. He set up the first goal for Bell after 24 minutes, and seven minutes later back to form Bell, who has been going through a lean spell, cracked in a second.
It broke a run of three successive draws by the Blues since their bombshell of transfer listing Rodney Marsh, and took them nearer the First Division leaders.
Meanwhile Marsh was playing his first game since the start of the City contraversary, but did not produce any real fireworks for the reserves at Preston.
STEVE MCHUGH WRITING FOR THE M.E.N. FOOTBALL PINK 8TH NOVEMBER 1975