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| Bob 70-71 | Leeds United win the League Cup.
Back row
: Sprake, Lorimer, Gray, Charlton, Madeley, Belfitt. The second League Cup final played at Wembley Stadium - Leeds United versus Arsenal - was one of the dullest matches ever played at the world famous stadium. The scrappy affair resulted in a single goal scored in the nineteenth minute by the Leeds left back, Cooper, formerly a wing man. Cooper it made no mistake with his shot after a mix-up in the Arsenal penalty area. A moment slackness by the Arsenal defenders that cost them dearly. For Leeds it was a sweet victory. In the past seasons they had many times come near to winning a major trophy; but they were always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Consider the last five years. During that time they were beaten FA Cup finalists, beaten Inter- cities Fairs Cup finalists and twice runners-up in the League. Don Revie's Yorkshire terriers hung on grimly to their one and only goal. Arsenal, with more of a play than Leeds, failed dismally in their frequent attacks for the equaliser. The finishing was poor, and all Leeds had to do was to keep them out. They did this with some keen tackling. The play was hard and forceful - in fact, just before half-time the one hundred thousand spectators witnessed a shameful incident involving eight players. It started after Gary Sprake had made a save and was charged down on to the ground by McLintock, the Arsenal skipper. Charlton and Ure joined in and soon the game was held up with players struggling with each other. It was a nasty incident and a disgrace to the occasion; but such was the atmosphere of this match, played at boiling point. There were moments of inspiring soccer from both teams, but such interludes were rare Arsenal, without a major trophy for the past fifteen years, went to Wembley hoping to break the run of ill luck. Cries of "lucky Arsenal" are never heard today. They also came hoping that London would retain the League Cup for another year. Queens Park Rangers were the previous holders, beating West Bromwich Albion in a vintage final played the year before, the first to be played at Wembley Stadium. However, Leeds United were determined to win the trophy, and although Arsenal at times played better than average they were unable to penetrate the strong, solid and sturdy United defence. In the closing stages of the match Arsenal called on substitute Terry Neill for the injured Jenkins, and it was Neill will almost scored the equaliser; but his great shot was headed clear by Bremner. It was a lucky escape for Leeds. Leeds also called on their substitute, Belfitt, he took over from Gray fifteen minutes from the end. So Leeds and ran off the Wembley turf winners by the single goal. But spare a thought for Arsenal's Frank McLintock, who strolled off with his head deeply bowed in disappointment. Three times in the last seven years he has been on the losing side at Wembley. The previous occasions were in 1961 and 1963, when he played for Leicester City in the two Cup finals. After the game Terry Cooper was asked how it felt to score the winner. Said Terry: "I kept picturing myself scoring that goal that gave us the Cup. When the ball was headed out it dropped just right for me. At first I thought I caught it just too high, and that had gone too far under it. I was sure it was going over the bar, but it kept down beautifully." Leeds United manager Don Revie now rates his star in the £80,000 class. Teams: Leeds United: Sprake, Reaney, Cooper, Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, Greenhoff, Lorimer , Madeley, Giles, Gray (sub. Belfitt ). Arsenal: Furnell, Storey, McNab, McLintock, Simpson, Ure, Radford, Jenkins, (sub. Neill), Graham, Sammels, Armstrong. Road to the Final. Leeds United: second round: beat Luton 3-1; third-round: beat Bury 3-0; fourth round: beat Sunderland 2-0:; fifth round: beat Stoke 2-0; semi-final: beat Derby 1-0 (away) and 3-2 (home). Arsenal: second round: beat Coventry 2-1; third round: beat Reading 1-0; fourth round: beat Blackburn 2-1; fifth-round: beat Burnley 2-1 after a 3-3 draw; semi-final: beat Huddersfield 3-2 (home) and 3-1 (away). From Footbal Champions (1968) Edited by Ken Johns. Purnell, London. For further links see ... Leeds United FC - The Official Web Site Return to Leeds United.
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| Bob Dunning 29 September 2001 |
Click for Soccer headlines at www.bobdunning.net |
