NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2 CITY 2
League Division 1
18th September 1971
attendance 21,488
scorers
City Lee(55 pen), Davies(64)
Forest McKenzie(54), Moore(86 pen)
Ref C Nicholls
City Corrigan, Book, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Jeffries, Summerbee, Bell, Davies, Lee, Mellor – sub Towers(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
Manchester City fiercly claimed they were deprived of their first away victory in nine months because of the 86th minute penalty which gave Notts Forest a 2-2 draw at The City Ground.
Rough justice perhaps, for the Blues. But then considering the number of dubious spot kicks they have been given during the refereeing revolution and it could be a case of City paying the penalty.
They even had one on Saturday that would not have been given twelve months ago. And that made it staggering total of six penalties in eleven league and cup games so far this season.
Forest, destined to struggle once more in the first division, should have been beaten out of sight by a side better equipped in all departments. Yet but for the bravery and anticipation of Joe Corrigan they could have sneaked both points in a game that never really got off the ground until the goals started to flow.
Corrigan a sharper, more agile looking goalkeeper, first came to City’s rescue with a superb save from a Neil Martin header. Then in the last breathe of a mediocre game he came out to block an Ian Moore shot that might have sent City crumbling to a completely undeserved defeat.
Colin Bell, still clearly not 100% fit, was the constant midfield rover, yet there were times when it seemed his industry was wasted when operating from such deep positions.
It might be more to City’s advantage if he could be utilised in a position more advanced to strike at the heart of opposing defences.
Some uncompromising Forest tactics gave the City forwards a rough passage, but Mike Summerbee survived the brunt of the tough approach to lay on City’s second goal and Francis Lee added the touch that enabled Wyn Davies to score his third league goal for the Blues.
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS