NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 CITY 2
League Division 1
16th February 1977
attendance 27,920
scorers
City Tueart(43), Kidd(44)
Newcastle Burns(62 & 82)
Ref T Morris
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Doyle, Watson, Power, Owen, Kidd, Royle, Hartford, Tueart – sub Barnes(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 17TH FEBRUARY 1977
Manchester City revealed irritating old habits in surrendering a two goal lead and a vital championship point on Tyneside last night.
They allowed fighting Newcastle to come back from the dead in a St James’ Park cliffhanger that could even have ended in disastrous defeat and the end of an unbeaten run which stretches back 17 games.
Only the inexperience of teenager Kenny Mitchell, in his League debut, saw him glaringly miss a last gasp chance that was the easiest of the 2-2 thrillers.
And perhaps City, too, paid the penalty for inexperience of a different sort. The midfield, for once, lost their grip as the Magpies took second half control to wipe out the lead Dennis Tueart and Brian Kidd had given City in a 60 second pre-interval sprint.
Asa Hartford was as prodigious in his efforts as ever, but he could not shoulder the load alone as Gary Owen and Paul Power fell below recent high standards in the face of United’s onslaught.
… The important thing, however, was that the Blues did not lose, leaving the title race still delicately poised with the breakaway three maintaining their grip at the top.
… That is why skipper Mike Doyle stressed: “I don’t care what anyone says, this was still a great result for us.”
And he’s right. Lesser sides would have wilted even further in the face of such a home comeback…