CITY 2 NORWICH CITY 0
League Division 1
1st March 1977
attendance 36,021
scorer Tueart(58 pen, 63 pen)
Ref R Kirkpatrick
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Doyle, Watson, Power, Owen, Kidd, Royle, Hartford, Tueart – sub Barnes(unused)
Norwich Keelan, Ryan, Sullivan, Evans, Jones, Powell, Neighbour, Reeves, Busby, Steele, Peters
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PAUL FITZPATRICK WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 2ND MARCH 1977
Manchester City, knocked out of the FA Cup by Leeds United on Saturday, remain firmly in the championship race. They were not at their most convincing in beating Norwich City 2-0 at Maine Road last night, although there was little question that their two points were deserved, two points which take them above Ipswich Town in a race now increasing in momentum and interest.
This game’s watershed came in the 57th minute when one bizarre incident followed another. First Mr Kirkpatrick. who
rarely likes to remain anonymous. awarded a penalty when Evans brought down Tueart. There was little doubt that
Tueart was fouled, but was he offside before he was brought down? A lot of observers thought that he was and the upraised flag of a linesman confirmed suspicions. After being surrounded by jostling and demonstrative Norwich players Mr Kirkpatrick consulted the linesman, looked thoughtful. and then stuck to his original decision.
Tueart took the kick and scored; Mr Kirkpatrick made him take it again. Again Tueart scored. again Mr Kirkpatrick
was not happy. A third time Tueart was made to take the kick and again he placed his shot out of Keelan‘s reach. This time Mr Kirkpatrick was satisfied. It was a remarkably nerveless performance by Tueart, who placed his shot in practically the same place each time.
Five minutes later Manchester were awarded a second penalty. this time less contentious; Kidd had his feet swept from under him by Ryan and there were no complaints from Norwich when Mr Kirkpatrick pointed to the spot. Tueart by now was well practised in the art of taking penalties and beat Keelan for the fourth time, his shot going in much the same place as the three previous ones.
Norwich were deflated. they had been under severe pressure throughout the first half of almost non-stop Manchester
offensives but the excellence of their goalkeeper, Manchesters wayward finishing, and the commitment and vigour of their defence had kept them in the contest.