May 5th will always be remembered in FA Cup history as one of the greatest shocks in the history of the competition. Second Division Sunderland faced high flying Division One side, the then mighty Leeds United in the 1973 FA Cup Final. No one gave Sunderland a chance apart from the thousands of the red and white army.
The Black Cats had beaten top opposition on the way to the final in Manchester City and Arsenal; however, in Leeds, Sunderland were facing Don Revie’s star-studded team and the current FA Cup holders.
On This Day: 1973 FA Cup Final
Road to Wembley
Leeds made hard work of Norwich City in their third-round game. The tie went to a second replay following two 1-1 draws. United finally won 5-0. Plymouth Argyle came next, with Leeds winning a close game at home 2-1. The next three games against West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Wolverhampton Wanderers saw the Whites keep clean sheets in each game. The game against Wolves saw Leeds win 1-0 at Maine Road to book their place in the final.
Sunderland had to negotiate their way through the first three rounds via replays. Notts County, Reading and Manchester City were all dispatched following a second game. The replay at Roker Park against City, which the Black Cats won 3-1, was voted as the greatest game to be played at Sunderland’s famous old ground. A 2-0 victory over Luton Town in the quarter-final set up a semi-final with one of the tournament favourites, Arsenal. The Black Cats produced a great display at Hillsborough to win 2-1 and secure their first cup final appearance since 1937.
The Build-Up to the 1973 FA Cup Final
The odds were stacked against Sunderland producing what many believed would be a huge upset if they defeated the mighty Leeds United. However, they were on a roll in the cup. They had been given little chance against Manchester City and Arsenal but came through both. Confidence was high; however, Leeds were overwhelming favourites. The Whites were the current cup holders and manager Don Revie was in a confident mood:
“Everything points to a United victory. Leeds United’s experience of playing at Wembley is likely to prove the decisive factor in next Saturday’s FA Cup final against Sunderland… As far as the FA Cup final is concerned, I consider the Sunderland players will suffer to a certain extent as none of them has played at Wembley previously.”
Sunderland midfielder Mick Horswill admitted afterwards that there was no need for a team talk by manager Bob Stokoe following comments from pundits prior to the game:
“The night before there was a preview show on the television with Jackie Charlton and Brian Clough on a panel. They were talking about how Leeds were going to pummel us and give us a good hiding. That geed us all up. We didn’t need a team talk after that.”
Ian Porterfield’s Winner
One-hundred-thousand crammed into Wembley and even more watched on TV and experienced one of football’s historical afternoons. The Red and Whites were far from intimated by their opponents. The Black Cats took the game to United in the opening stages and aggressively but fairly let Leeds know that they would be in for a tough game.
Sunderland took the lead to shock all but their own fans in the 31st minute. Ian Porterfield controlled a knockdown from a corner and scored with an unstoppable volley. There was a little look of shock amongst the delight across Porterfield’s face, as there was amongst all Sunderland fans; however, they were in front and had a one-goal lead to protect.
The Greatest Double Save Seen at Wembley
The second half was end to end but Leeds were beginning to create the better of the opportunities. Mid-way through the half, United thought they had equalised. Jim Montgomery, however, would come to Sunderland’s rescue. He saved first from Leeds’ Trevor Cherry but the ball fell to the feet of Peter Lorimer who drove the ball fiercely back at goal. Somehow, Mongomery was able to divert the ball up onto the underside of the crossbar. It was a moment that would never be forgotten and would be replayed whenever a cup final is on TV. It was one of the greatest saves, if not the greatest double save, ever seen.
That would be United’s best chance of an equaliser. They piled forward to little avail and on occasions giving Sunderland the chance to extend their lead.
History Made in the 1973 FA Cup
At the final whistle there were iconic images of manager Bob Stokoe sprinting across the Wembley pitch to hug goalkeeper Montgomery. History had been made, one of the biggest FA Cup final shocks was complete. However, few could argue that Sunderland deserved their victory. They matched their First Division opponents every step of the way, outplaying them at times. The win was deserved and when captain Bobby Kerr lifted the famous cup, only Leeds fans were not celebrating.
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