CITY 1 ARSENAL 2
League Division 1
24th March 1973
attendance 32,032
scorers
City Booth(80)
Arsenal George(53), Kennedy(84)
Ref J Yates
City Corrigan, Book, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Jeffries, Summerbee, Bell, Marsh, Whelan, Towers – sub Carrodus(unused)
Arsenal Wilson, Rice, McNabb, Storey, McLintock, Simpson, Armstrong, Ball, George, Kennedy, Kelly – sub Nelson(61)
TOMMY BOOTH’S GOAL ISN’T ENOUGH TO GAIN ANY POINTS
FROM THE PRESS BOX
GERALD SINSTADT WRITING IN THE TIMES 26TH MARCH 1973
Arsenal sometimes disappoint by offering craftsmanship where the idealist looks for artistry; but in a shoddy world the master crafts-man is not to be despised. On Saturday Arsenal beat Manchester City 2-1 at Maine Road. It was a characteristic performance with few rococo decorations, but put together with integrity and regard for basic principles.
Against City McLintock was a formidable foreman, setting standards, reinforcing wherever stress threatened the careful design never afraid of getting his own hands dirty. At 33, he had seemed a likely loser in the contest for places in Arsenal‘s central defence. Blockley’s injury last month provided a reprieve and in this, his seventh game since being recalled, McLintock was as sound as ever.
Besides Blockley, the injured Redford, Arsenal’s leading scorer, was also missing. His replacement was again George. less prominent than at Stamford Bridge the previous Saturday, but never negligible. Booth played him well, particularly in the air, yet could not prevent the best goal of the match. a shot by George that combined skill, power and economy. Kennedy’s perceptive header dropped the bail neatly into George’s path and a right-foot volley made the goal look simpler than it was.
For City this was a body blow. Two minutes earlier they had been awarded a penalty when Storey bowled over Summerbee. Doyle placed the ball firmly on the spot and equally firmly fired wide.
Ten minutes from time City scored an unexpected equalizer following Summerbee’s corner. The ball was cleared to Towers, deflected by McLintock on its way back in and turned past Wilson by Booth.
Here was a cue for Arsenal to show their character. Within three minutes Kennedy took it with a shot from 20 yards.
In their Iast 22 games in League and Cup the Londoners have lost only once. Given their method and application that looks like par for the course.
Since winning at white Hart Lane in February, Manchester City have played eight games without winning.