EVERTON 2 CITY 0
League Division 1
26th December 1973
attendance 36,007
scorers Buckley(18), Hurst(60)
Ref W Johnson
City MacRae, Pardoe, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Towers, Summerbee, Bell, Marsh, Lee, Leman, – sub Law(73)
Everton Lawson, Darracott, Styles, Clements, Kenyon, Hurst, Bernard, Buckley, Royle, Lyons, Telfer
FROM THE PRESS BOX
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 27TH DECEMBER 1973
Manchester City were beaten by more than one goal for only the second time in a League match this season.
But the Blues can thank their stars they did not leave Everton with a thorough hiding.
In a performance completely opposite to their blistering display against Burnley four days earlier, City were devoid of ideas leaving manager Ron Saunders saying: “We were below our best in every department.”
City’s effort up front was so threadbare that not until Denis Law substituted for Denis Leman 18 minutes from the end did a striker get anywhere near goal. Then Law had a header saved by David Lawson and saw another shot rebound off Colin Bell.
Bell, in fact, had a disastrous match. Not for a long time can he have been so ineffective in a game monopolised by a hardworking home side who were better value than 2-0 suggests.
But for the mopping up effort of Mike Doyle at the back, City might have been swamped. Everton had few direct goal attempts, but through the impressive Joe Royle and Mick Lyons they created plenty of chances.
Mick Buckley, The Manchester born youngster who put the skids under City, had a neatly created 17th minute goal and might have had a hat-trick himself.
Royle saw a shot hit the underside of the bar and young George Telfer, impressive in only his second League match, also missed a good chance.
Tony Towers was one of the few City successes. Several times he pushed through penetrating balls, but there was little response from the men up front.
Francis Lee faded after a bustling start, Rodney Marsh never got into the match, and even Mike Summerbee lacked his recent sparkle, leaving the Everton defence with a simple task…