CITY 3 MIDDLESBROUGH 2
League Division 1
7th November 1981
Attendance 32,025
Scorers
City Francis(21), Reeves(24), Tueart(75 pen)
Middlesbrough Angus(34), Thomson(52)
Ref Maurice Baker
City Corrigan, Ranson, McDonald, Reid, Hartford, Bond, Caton, Tueart, Reeves, Francis, Power – used sub Hutchison(82)
Middlesbrough Platt, Craggs, Nattrass, Angus, Baxter, McAndrew, Cochrane, Otto, Woof, Shearer, Thomson – Sub Askew
BACK FROM INJURY AND BACK IN THE GOALS, TREVOR FRANCIS SCORES CITY’S FIRST
KEVIN REEVES ADDS A SECOND
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 9TH NOVEMBER 1981
Manchester City enjoyed more than a hint of good fortune in putting two wins together for the first time this season.
No wonder Middlesbrough left Maine Road on Saturday night cursing their own bad luck after a 3-2 defeat that kept them anchored in relegation trouble.
But on reflection it was no more than the Blues deserved. They have played better than they did, and still finished empty handed, in a season that could still gather momentum once the injury clouds clear.
… With Tommy Caton and Kevin Bond continuing to mould as a formidable central defensive partnership, Nicky Reid has been squeezed to midfield, and against Boro’ he suffered most of all.
Paul Power, too, is labouring and only a prolonged rest to cure his nagging ankle injury will get him back to his best.
… The comeback of Francis, after a near seven week lay off was clearly the difference between City winning and losing against Boro’. He scored the first, made the second for Kevin Reeves, and gave Boro’ problems whenever he was on the ball.
… Perhaps City were fortunate to have Wolverhampton referee Mauriice Baker in such lenient mood.
How, for instance, could he refuse a penalty when Joe Corrigan seemingly tripped Mike Angus? And then there was more than a hint of controversy when Tony McAndrew was adjudged to have fouled Dennis Tueart, who hit the penalty winner.
