SHEFFIELD UNITED 4 CITY 2
Texaco Cup
6th August 1974
attendance 9,358
scorers
City Summerbee(23), Law(39)
Sheffield United Dearden(12), Currie(14 & 37), Woodward(53)
City Corrigan, Barrett, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Oakes, Summerbee, Bell, Marsh, Law, Tueart – sub Henson(43), MacRae(unused)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
BOOK WANTS A GLORY RUN
PETER GARDNER WRITING IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 7TH AUGUST 1974
Manchester City are out of the Texaco Cup.
But manager Tony Book is determined the Blues will still finish in a blaze of glory.
His target is three points from Oldham Athletic in Saturday’s final group game at Maine Road.
It would help restore the shattered pride of a side whose unimpressive displays in two games so far has seen the problems pile up for the City boss.
Book’s troubles increased at Bramall Lane last night when the Blues collapsed at the back to finally lose 4-2 against Sheffield United.
Too often the Blades, who had slumped 4-0 to Oldham in their opening match, were able to tear City apart, leaving Joe Corrigan little or no protection.
Now it seems likely that unlucky Corrigan will step down to give Keith MacRae a chance to regain the place he lost late last season in the final work-out before the new term begins.
However, Book could also shuffle his back four to accommodate a more flexible, attacking look against Oldham.
Few players emerged with reputations intact against United for whom England midfield player Tony Currie had a fine match.
But the Blues were hindered by injury to their England key man, for Colin Bell limped off with a heavily bandaged left knee shortly before half-time.
Phil Henson, clearly a player to look out for this season, revealed several neat touches, but City were never the same once their driving force had gone.
Mike Summerbee scored a fine headed goal, and Denis Law hit one in typical manner. Rodney Marsh had a third goal disallowed, but apart from that the Blues were rarely a serious threat in front of goal.