LIVERPOOL 4 CITY 0
League Division 1
1st May 1978
Attendance 44,528
Scorers Dalglish(24, 54 & 88), Neal(52 pen)
Ref W Johnson
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Booth, Watson, Owen, Kidd, Channon, Bell, Hartford, Power – sub Doyle(unused)
Liverpool Clemence, Neal, Hansen, Thompson, Kennedy, Hughes, Dalglish, Case, Fairclough, McDermott, Souness
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 2ND MAY 1978
Manchester City were the reluctant pupils of past masters who have graduated with honours in the art of 4-4-2 at Anfield last night.
The Blues had that new look rammed down their throats by a Liverpool side who have perfected the system to such a degree they can play it with eyes shut!
The outcome was a 4-0 caning, a lesson they may care to remember when reflecting on yet another season of what might have been.
City have clinched a UEFA Cup place, just. But on the evidence of ast night’s pathetic display the only way they were likely to get into Europe was if World War Three broke out next August.
Yet before the first of two disastrous errors by David Watson that threw the game into Liverpool’s lap, the Blues had looked confident and composed when embarking on the search for their first Anfield League win in 26 years.
… However the Merseysiders then revealed the finer points of 4-4-2 in a superb second half burst when their midfield men boldly came through in support of the frontrunners.
… Gary Owen had a fine first half, although Paul Power never quite covered the same amount of ground as he normally does. The non-stop Asa Hartford can’t do the job on his own and the tragic but brutal truth about Colin Bell is that now he just can’t do it at all.
… Ray Clemence never had a serious shot of note to save in 90 minutes. And that’s a staggering indictment on any side, even at Anfield
City never had an answer to the devastating speed and finishing power of Kenny Dalglish, who gave Watson a most uncomfortable time.
The flying Scot hit a brilliant hat-trick with the second and third true gems. With luck he could have had even more, so exposed were the Blues as they took a second half battering.