TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 CITY 2
League Division 1
15th December 1973
attendance 17,066
scorers Booth(3), Bell(73)
Ref K Burns
City MacRae, Pardoe, Donachie, Doyle, Booth, Towers, Summerbee, Bell, Marsh, Law, Leman, – sub Barrett(50)
Spurs Jennings, Evans, Naylor, Pratt, England, Beal, McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Coates – sub Gilzean(75)
FROM THE PRESS BOX
TONY PAWSON WRITING IN THE OBSERVER 16TH DECEMBER 1973
Spurs put their worst foot forward once more against Manchester City to suffer their sixth home league defeat of the season.
… But for Jennings they would have been humiliated by the lightning thrusts of Law, the teasing arrogance of Marsh, and the persistent probing of Bell and Summerbee.
With such players there is a natural emphasis on attack, but it was still a surprise to see Manchester City so free of the inhibitions that afflict visiting teams. From the kick off, their ceaseless assaults surged in, seeping through the bemused defenders.
Evans back-header kept out Leman’s flick as it spun in under the bar. Peters covered one raking corner, but the next from Towers found Booth unmarked. The downward header gained pace and bounce from the frozen goalmouth to soar high into the net.
That first three minutes was a fortaste of the relentless waves of City players lapping in on Jennings. Scorning the role of Canute, he stemmed the tide with a remarkable combination of cool assurance and acrobatic agility.
The most notable saves were from Marsh’s dipping drive and Law’s thunderous header as he raced in on Summerbee’s corner. Law’s characteristic acceleration sent him clear again as Leman’s pass scraped by Beal. The clever chip was as cleverly countered by Jennings.
In midfield, Tottenham gave a muted, stuttering display, giving away such balls as were won by the energy of Pratt and Perryman. Forward their only challenge was in the determined running of Coates, whose three hopeful shots at last warmed Macrae’s hands.