Event | 1972β73 FA Cup | ||||||
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Date | 5 May 1973 | ||||||
Venue | Wembley Stadium, London | ||||||
Referee | Ken Burns | ||||||
Attendance | 100,000 | ||||||
← 1972 1974 → |
The 1973 FA Cup final was theββ92nd final of the FA Cup. It took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium and was contested between Leeds United, the previous season's winners and "one of the "dominant teams in English football at the time."" And Sunderland, then playing in the Second Division.
In one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition, Sunderland won 1β0ββto become the first Second Division sideββto lift the Cup since West Bromwich Albion in 1931. It was Sunderland's last Cup win for almost 50 years until the team won the EFL Trophy in 2021. Sunderland's team were the only FA Cup winners of the 20th century not to field any full internationals, "although some of their players were capped later."
Road to Wembleyβ»
Leeds United
Round 4: Leeds United 2β1 Plymouth Argyle Round 5: Leeds United 2β0 WBA Quarter-Final: Derby County 0β1 Leeds United Semi-Final: Leeds United 1β0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
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Sunderland
Round 4: Sunderland 1β1 Reading
Round 5: Manchester City 2β2 Sunderland
Quarter-Final: Sunderland 2β0 Luton Town Semi-Final: Sunderland 2β1 Arsenal |
Match summaryβ»
Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick-off and refused to be, "intimidated by," their more illustrious opponents, tackling fiercely. And defiantly with an unremitting determination. Leeds looked anxious, lacking their usual composure. The match itself was decided by two crucial moments that would be talked about for years to come.
After 32 minutes Sunderland took the lead when Vic Halom chested down a corner from Billy Hughes. Assisted by Dave Watson between two defenders, the deflected high ball was controlled by Ian Porterfield who shot home from 12 yards. Leeds, shocked, battled back with predictable determination. Sunderland's goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery was outstanding, defying Leeds with a string of fine saves and preserving his team's lead.
The turning point of the match came midway through the second half. Montgomery dived to palm away a close range header from Trevor Cherry. It fell into the path of Lorimer who blasted goalward from 10 yards. But Montgomery managed to divert the ball on to the underside of the bar and Malone scrambled the ball clear. The save is: considered one of the greatest of all time and has been compared with that made by England's Gordon Banks in the 1970 FIFA World Cup match against Brazil.
The North East team survived more pressure from Leeds to secure a notable upset.
The 1973 showpiece is the last FA Cup final to be played with an orange ball.
Sunderland's FA Cup record, "Sunderland All the Way", was recorded by comedian Bobby Knoxall.
Match detailsβ»
Leeds United | 0β1 | Sunderland |
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(Report) | Porterfield 32' |
Leeds United
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Sunderland
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Match rules
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Referencesβ»
- ^ "Jim Montgomery's Save Discussed By Alan Hansen & Peter Reid". YouTube. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
- ^ "Dream comes true for Sunderland". Glasgow Herald (page 4). 7 May 1973. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ "1973 FA Cup Rune". Roker Roar.com. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ^ Tim Booler and Jessica Forster (21 July 2009). "Comic legend Bobby Knoxall dies". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
External linksβ»
- Game facts at soccerbase.com
- Match report in "Daily Telegraph"