CITY 2 IPSWICH TOWN 1
League Division 1
1st April 1978
Attendance 34,975
Scorers
City Palmer(41), Channon(80)
Ipswich Mariner(83)
Ref K Butcher
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Doyle, Watson, Owen, Channon, Booth, Palmer, Hartford, Barnes – sub Power(unused)
Ipswich Cooper, Burley, Mills, Talbot, Hunter, Osman, Osborne, Wark, Mariner, Geddis, Woods – sub Lambert
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL
Roger Palmer, 19 year old coloured striker, celebrated his Maine Road League debut with a 41st minute goal as City gave FA Cup semi-finalists Ipswich a thorough going over.
Palmer, who opened his First Division scoring account in only his third League game on Tyneside in midweek, started as well as finishing the move that gave the Blues a thoroughly deserved lead.
Earlier they had given Ipswich a pounding without finding that killer touch in their bid to end a run of four successive draws.
And with vital points still needed for European qualification next season, the breakthrough goal by Palmer was indeed a tonic.
Doyle drove the ball into touch as Woods chased a Mill’s pass down the left. Then Mills threatened but Clements cleared for a corner which resulted in Wark shooting over the bar.
Hartford, trying to get the Blues moving, hit the ball to the right where Channon was making his run. But Osman, in for Kevin Beattie who pulled a muscle in training yesterday, swept up effectively.
On the opposite flank Owen squared the ball for Donachie. Barnes took over and Channon moved in from the wing but Mills cleared first time into touch.
A Clements foul on Woods brought a free kick and there was panic in the Blues defence before the ball was cleared. Geddis beat Doyle in the air to head wide at the post.
… A bad foul tackle by Mills which left Barnes rubbing his back painfully provided an unfortunate flashpoint and for some seconds City players tried to extract retribution on Ipswich. Slack refereeing caused the uproar.
… Despite three corners in quick succession City still could not find the killer touch in front of goal.
… City pressed relentlessly… Palmer continued to reveal some neat touches. He squared the ball for Channon who shot wide at the post.
… In the 41st minute the Blues broke the deadlock and it was Palmer, two goal hero of the midweek draw at Newcastle, who did the damage with a superb goal.
He started the move himself, cleverly flicking the ball out to Owen on the flank. When the cross came over Palmer swivelled magnificently before shooting neatly wide of Cooper.
Half-time: Manchester City 1, Ipswich 0.
… In the 51st minute Doyle got the ball into the net a second time, but Channon had been blown for offside.
… City eventually found that missing blend and killer touch with a glorious goal in the 80th minute. Hartford started the move with a long ball to Palmer who controlled it smoothly on the edge of the penalty area and pulled it back for Barnes. The England winger raced for the line, clipped it cleanly into the middle where Channon raced in to add the final touch with his head. It was as good a goal as has been seen at Maine Road this season.
But in the 83rd minute Mariner headed in for Ipswich from close range.
