1973 FA Cup Final Leeds v Sunderland

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The 1973 FA Cup Final took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium. It was the 92nd final in total, and the 45th to be played at Wembley, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary year.

Leeds United boasted a team in international talent and came to Wembley as Cup holders facing their third Final in four years. Their opponents, Sunderland, were from the Second Division and many felt they'd suffer a thrashing. But in one of the biggest Cup upsets, Bob Stokoe's side walked away as 1-0 winners thanks to a 31st-minute goal from Ian Porterfield. Many put the win down to Sunderland goalie Jim Montgomery who pulled off a string of amazing saves.

Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick off, 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 mid-way 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.

This final is also notable for being the only one to use an orange ball

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LEEDS UNITED:

GK 1 Harvey
DF 2 Reaney
DF 3 Cherry
DF 4 Bremner (c)
MF 5 Madeley
DF 6 Hunter
FW 7 Lorimer
MF 8 Clarke
MF 9 Jones
FW 10 Giles
MF 11 Gray 75'
Substitute:
DF 12 Yorath 75'
Manager:
Don Revie

SUNDERLAND:

GK 1 Montgomery
RB 2 Malone
LB 3 Guthrie
CM 4 Horswill
CB 5 Watson
CB 6 Pitt
RW 7 Kerr (c)
CM 8 Hughes
ST 9 Halom
ST 10 Porterfield
LW 11 Tueart
Substitute:
MF 12 Young
Manager:
Bob Stokoe