1973 FA Cup final
Event1972–73 FA Cup
Date5 May 1973
VenueWembley Stadium, London
RefereeKen Burns
Attendance100,000

The 1973 FA Cup final was the 92nd final of the FA Cup. It took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium 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 was Sunderland's last Cup win for almost 50 years until the team won the EFL Trophy in 2021. 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

The only goal scored
The final match ball with the Golden Boot awarded to Ian Porterfield of Sunderland

Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick-off and refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents, 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 32 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 is considered one of the greatest of all time and has been compared with that made by England's Gordon Banks in the 1970 FIFA World Cup match against Brazil.[1][2]

The North East team survived more pressure from Leeds to secure a notable upset.[3]

The 1973 showpiece is the last FA Cup final to be played with an orange ball.

Sunderland's FA Cup record, "Sunderland All the Way", was recorded by comedian Bobby Knoxall.[4]

Match details

Leeds United0–1Sunderland
(Report) Porterfield 32'
Attendance: 100,000
Leeds United
Sunderland
GK1Scotland David Harvey
DF2England Paul Reaney
DF3England Trevor Cherry
MF4Scotland Billy Bremner (c)
DF5England Paul Madeley
DF6England Norman Hunter
FW7Scotland Peter Lorimer
FW8England Allan Clarke
FW9England Mick Jones
MF10Republic of Ireland Johnny Giles
MF11Scotland Eddie Gray downward-facing red arrow 75'
Substitute:
MF12Wales Terry Yorath upward-facing green arrow 75'
Manager:
England Don Revie
GK1England Jimmy Montgomery
RB2Scotland Dick Malone
LB3England Ron Guthrie
CM4England Micky Horswill
CB5England David Watson
CB6England Richie Pitt
RCM7Scotland Bobby Kerr (c)
RW8Scotland Billy Hughes
ST9England Vic Halom
LCM10Scotland Ian Porterfield
LW11England Dennis Tueart
Substitute:
CB12England David Young
Manager:
England Bob Stokoe

Match rules

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

References

  1. "Jim Montgomery's Save Discussed By Alan Hansen & Peter Reid". YouTube. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  2. "Dream comes true for Sunderland". Glasgow Herald (page 4). 7 May 1973. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  3. "1973 FA Cup Rune". Roker Roar.com. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  4. Tim Booler and Jessica Forster (21 July 2009). "Comic legend Bobby Knoxall dies". Sunderland Echo. Archived from the original on 27 July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
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