CITY 2 LEEDS UNITED 1
League Division 1
31st August 1974
attendance 37,919
scorers
City Summerbee(6), Bell(60)
Leeds Clarke(37)
Ref Gordon Hill
City MacRae, Barrett, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Oakes, Summerbee, Bell, Marsh, Hartford, Tueart – sub Henson(unused)
Leeds Harvey, Reaney, Cherry, McGovern, McQueen, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, O’Hare, Giles, Yorath – sub Jordan(80)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
OAKES GUARDS BACK DOOR
ERIC TODD WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 2ND SEPTEMBER 1974
Manchester City, who won only one of their previous eight games against Leeds United and failed to score in seven of them, redressed the balance slightly on Saturday at Maine Road, where they defeated the champions 2-1 in a thoroughly entertaining and trouble free match. One more reverse and Leeds will have equalled their tally for the whole of last season. Things, indeed, ain’t what they used to be.
I have known City far too long to indulge in long range forecasts but, win or lose, if they continue to play as they did on Saturday they will top the popularity poll among those people who thrive on genuine attacking football. This City forward line, as rich in talent and skill as it is in imagination and impertinence, will make a horrible mess of defences and score a lot of goals. Which will be very nice, provided that not too many are conceded. It would be just too bad if City missed out in the honours list because of goal average.
Once or twice this day for instance there were ominous gaps when City hammered away at United’s front door and forgot to lock their own back door against the intruder. The old Leeds would have done something about that. Then it was that the unsung yet ever reliable Oakes distinguished himself above the rest. City nevertheless have no need to spend vast sums of money in repairs to that part of their house: a readjustment of existing resources or an alternative defensive strategy should suffice, at least for the time being.
The departure of Don Revie to football’s House of Lords and the arrival of Brian Clough at Elland Road already ids the most common excuse for United’s failure to get off the ground. Which is a bit hard on Clough who, although he talks rather more than Revie, still knows more than most about managership. With several of his best men not available, even Clough cannot be expected to work miracles.
… City went ahead in the sixth minute. After a long run and accurate centre by Donachie, Summerbee conned Hunter into believing that he was going to shoot. By the time Hunter had tumbled to the deceit, Summerbee had switched the ball to his left foot and beaten Harvey with a magnificent shot.
Good efforts by Doyle were foiled by McQueen and Harvey, and eight minutes before half time Leeds equalised. Doyle hesitated and McGovern sent a long pass to Clarke. Booth was too slow to play him offside and Clarke raced through and slipped the ball past the advancing Macrae. One of Clarke’s very best.
In the 60th minute, Bell restored City’s lead with another great goal after clever work by Hartford and Tueart. City continued to press and mesmerise and McQueen cleared off his line from Tueart, who is one of City’s best investments ever…
