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1973 FA Cup Final
Old Wembley Stadium (external view)
EventFA Cup 1972–73
Date5 May 1973
VenueWembley Stadium, London
RefereeKen Burns
Attendance100,000
1972
1974

The 1973 FA Cup Final was the 92nd final of the FA Cup. It took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium (celebrating its 50th anniversary in this year) 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 1–0 to become the first Second Division side to lift the Cup since West Bromwich Albion in 1931. It remains Sunderland's only major trophy since World War II. 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 Wembley[]

Leeds United
Home teams listed first. Round 3: Norwich City 1–1 Leeds United

Replay: Leeds United 1–1 Norwich City
2nd Replay: Leeds United 5–0 Norwich City (at Villa Park)

Round 4: Leeds United 2–1 Plymouth Argyle

 

Round 5: Leeds United 2–0 WBA

 

Quarter-Final: Derby County 0–1 Leeds United

Semi-Final: Leeds United 1–0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

(at Maine Road, Manchester)

Sunderland
Home teams listed first. Round 3: Notts County 1–1 Sunderland

Replay: Sunderland 2–0 Notts County
 

Round 4: Sunderland 1–1 Reading

Replay: Reading 1–3 Sunderland

Round 5: Manchester City 2–2 Sunderland

Replay: Sunderland 3–1 Manchester City

Quarter-Final: Sunderland 2–0 Luton Town

Semi-Final: Sunderland 2–1 Arsenal

(at Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield)

Match summary[]

Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick-off and refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents (who had earned the nickname 'Dirty' Leeds due to their aggressive style), 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 31 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 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.

Sunderland's triumph made them the first FA Cup winners to lift the trophy with a side featuring no full international players, although some were capped later.

The 1973 showpiece isn't the only FA Cup final ever to be played with an orange ball.

Sunderland's FA Cup record, "Sunderland All the Way", was recorded by comedian Bobby Knoxall.

Match details[]

5 May 1973
15:00 BST
Leeds United 0–1 Sunderland Wembley, London
Attendance: 100,000
Referee: Ken Burns, Stourbridge
(Report) Porterfield Goal 31'
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long
Leeds United
Kit left arm red stripes
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body whitestripes
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm red stripes
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks whitetop
Kit socks long
Sunderland
GK 1 Flag of Scotland David Harvey
DF 2 Flag of England Paul Reaney
DF 3 Flag of England Trevor Cherry
MF 4 Flag of Scotland Billy Bremner (c)
DF 5 Flag of England Paul Madeley
DF 6 Flag of England Norman Hunter
FW 7 Flag of Scotland Peter Lorimer
FW 8 Flag of England Allan Clarke
FW 9 Flag of England Mick Jones
MF 10 Flag of Republic of Ireland Johnny Giles
MF 11 Flag of Scotland Eddie Gray Substituted off in the 75th minute 75'
Substitute:
MF 12 Flag of Wales Terry Yorath Substituted on in the 75th minute 75'
Manager:
Flag of England Don Revie
GK 1 Flag of England Jimmy Montgomery
RB 2 Flag of Scotland Dick Malone
LB 3 Flag of England Ron Guthrie
CM 4 Flag of England Micky Horswill
CB 5 Flag of England David Watson
CB 6 Flag of England Richie Pitt
RCM 7 Flag of Scotland Bobby Kerr (c)
RW 8 Flag of Scotland Billy Hughes
ST 9 Flag of England Vic Halom
LCM 10 Flag of Scotland Ian Porterfield
LW 11 Flag of England Dennis Tueart
Substitute:
CB 12 Flag of England David Young
Manager:
Flag of England Bob Stokoe

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra-time if necessary.
  • Replay if scores still level.
  • One named substitute.

External links[]

FA Cup
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Template:1972–73 in English football

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