MANCHESTER UNITED 3 CITY 1
League Division 1
5th March 1977
attendance 58,595
scorers
City Royle(60)
United Pearson(24), Hill(31), Coppell(53)
Ref R Matthewson
City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Doyle, Watson, Owen, Kidd, Power, Royle, Hartford, Tueart – sub Barnes(59)
United Stepney, Nicholl, Houston, B Greenhoff, Buchan, J Greenhoff, Coppell, McIlroy, Pearson, Macari, Hill – sub McCreery(87)
PETER GARDNER’S ‘VERDICT’ FROM THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL 5TH MARCH 1977
City had their noses soundly rubbed into the Old Trafford turf today as they gave one of their poorest perfomances on such an important occasion.
Gone was the old spirit and character which had carried them through a run of 17 unbeaten matches earlier, as they allowed United to build a commanding lead.
The first half was total disaster for City, who never got into the game. They were more convincing after the break when Dennis Tueart came more into the picture and the introduction of Peter Barnes provided greater width.
Brian Kidd provided a solid contribution on his return to the club where he grew up as a kid, buy it was a disappointing team performance.
Title chances may have been dented and local pride hurt, but there is still a long way to go yet this season.
