STOKE CITY 0 CITY 2

League Division 1

5th February 1977

attendance 27,139

scorers Tueart(38), Royle(89)

Ref G Flint

City Corrigan, Clements, Donachie, Doyle, Watson, Power, Owen, Kidd, Royle, Hartford, Tueart – sub Conway(unused)

Stoke Shilton, Dodd, Pejic, Mahoney, Smith, Bloor, Ruggiero, Suddick, Goodwin, Conroy, Salmons – sub Johnson

FROM THE PRESS BOX

FROM THE THE GUARDIAN 7TH FEBRUARY 1977
It is indicative of Manchester City’s present confidence and vitality that they still look a mightily effective outfit even when they fall short of their best. The two points they took with so much authority off Stoke on Saturday leaves them unbeaten since they were at Ipswich in October and firther strengthened an impressive away record, only one defeat in 11 games, only seven goals conceded.
Much of Manchester’s confidence stems from an outstanding defence. There cannot be two better central defenders at present than Doyle and Watson; a smoother more sophisticated back than Donachie. Clements is the odd man out of the quartet, but such is Doyle’s astute covering that Clements’ deficiences can be disguised. But Clements’ honesty and complete commitment compensate for any weaknesses.
This formidable barrier was too powerful for an inexperienced Stoke forward line which contained one player, Ruggiero, who was making his first appearance for Stoke and another, Goodwin, who has only a handful of games to his credit. The lack of experience was glaring. Ruggiero never looked remotely at ease. It was perverse that Stoke’s two best chances should fall to him. The first could have brought Stoke level. The second could have given them the lead, and with time running out too, but he bungled both. On this evidence the combative Goodwin looked to have the likelier future.
On this evidence, too, Stoke could be in serious relegation trouble before long. Suddick, lightweight and still prone to the silliest of errors, is no substitute for Hudson in midfield. Jimmy Greenhoff would have been a priceless asset on Saturday. Since the sale of Greenhoff a number of supporters have stopped watching the team. There were half-hearted chants on Saturday of “Waddington out.” They could yet grow louder and more persistent.
Neither side quite mastered the sluggish pace of a heavy, energy-sapping pitch. There were a lot of mistakes but the game was illuminated and lifted from time to time by the bold, sweeping attacking movements of Manchester. Their midfield, with Owen proving that he has immense stamina as well as ability, operated on a different plane to Stoke’s. Goals, particularly encouraged by the biggest and noisiest away support Manchester City have enjoyed since they won the League title at Newcastle in 1968, were inevitable. It was merely a matter of when they would arrive. Tueart went solo to score the first in the 38th minute and a minute from time Royle scored the second, a slightly untidy goal but the result of the sort of dazzling move that Stoke could not match.