CITY 2 MANCHESTER UNITED 0
League Division 1
10th November 1979
attendance 50,067
Scorers Henry(53), Robinson(73)
ref Neville Ashley
City Corrigan, Ranson, Donachie, Bennett, Power, Caton, Booth, Henry, Robinson, Daley, Deyna – sub Stepanovic(unused)
United Bailey, Nicholl, Houston, McIlroy, McQueen, Buchan, Grimes, Coppell, Wilkins, Macari, Thomas – sub Sloan(unused)
TONY HENRY PUTS CITY 1-0 UP
‘MEMORY MATCH’ an article by John Maddocks Published in the City Programme 26th October 1986
Derby Day. A day when the form book can be ignored. A day to savour for the partisan supporters, providing arguments for Blues and Reds for a long time to come, or at least until the next one.
The 99th Manchester Derby was on 10th November 1979; United were sitting on top of the First Division, a point clear of Nottingham Forest, while the Blues were in 16th place, although only seven points behind the Reds. Most experts’ confidently expected United to teach City a footballing lesson, especially as 7 of the City team hadn’t previously sampled the rather special Derby Day atmosphere.
On the day, the Blues fielded a side showing several changes, having recently suffered defeats in the last two League games against Liverpool (home) 0-4, and Crystal Palace (away) 0-2, although their confidence had received a boost in mid-week with a 4-0 win over Werder Bremen in Joe Corrigan’s Testimonial, Tony Henry having scored two.
Out went Paul Futcher, Steve MacKenzie, Nicky Reid, and Barry Silkman. ln came Willie Donachie, Tommy Booth, Tony Henry and Kaziu Deyna, with Paul Power switching from defence to midfield. The latter was the new captain whose attitude on the pitch received tremendous praise from coach Malcolm Allison.
lt was a good game to watch. The players overcame the heavy going, and the new City formation knitted together well from early in the game. Gary Bailey was by far the busier goalkeeper in the first half, keeping out shots by Michael Robinson and Tony Henry more by good luck than good management. Robinson caused no end of problems for Martin Buchan and the rest of the United defence by his persistent running and enthusiasm.
After 45 minutes the score-sheet was blank, but nine minutes into the second half City deservedly took the lead. Buchan sliced wildly in a clearance and the ball fell to Paul Power, who centred from the left wing. Deyna set off on a run which was to come to an abrupt end, but the ball ran to Tony Henry who whipped a left foot shot past Bailey from twelve yards out.
The Blues’ tails were now up; Ranson and Bennett were pushed up to deny room to Thomas and Mcllroy on United’s left flank, and the young Caton and the experienced Booth kept a firm grip on Steve Coppell and Lou Macari, who come into this match as United’s
leading scorer. True, Coppell had seen a shot rebound from a post, but there was no way City were going to let this one slip.
The clincher came after 73 minutes. Expensive import Steve Daley managed to ride a tackle and pushed the ball to Dave Bennett, playing in only his 9th League game, and the youngster slipped the ball to Robinson who received it with his back to goal, turned, beat Jimmy Nicholl all ends up, and whacked a fierce shot past Bailey…
