Middlesbrough - Ayresome Park - 15,008
Scorers: Hilley, Robson B
Middlesbrough - SJP - 13,550
Scorers: Hilley, Davies
Southampton - SJP - 33,709
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McGrath, Iley (Robson B), Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Bennett, Robson T, Scott
Position: 9th
WYN SHATTERS SAINTS IN FINE UNITED VICTORY - An aggressive action-packed ninety minutes in which United, playing 4-2-4, are punchy and direct. Southampton have chances too in an end-to-end game, but they cannot handle Davies in the air and although he does not score he has a hand in all three goals.
Chelsea - Stamford Bridge - 32,677
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McGrath, Iley, Scott, Bennett, Davies Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Bennett - Baldwin
Position: 2nd
BENNET GRABS POINT FOR BATTLING NEWCASTLE - The home side do the early attacking but it is United who score first through Bennett. Baldwin equalises and though both sides have chances in the second-half there is no further score. Chelsea’s Hollins comes closest when a prodigious shot from forty-yards thuds against the bar. It is a tough game with plenty of rough play.
Liverpool - Anfield - 51,829
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McGrath, Iley, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers:
Position: 12th
LICKED - THE CANDY FLOSS NEWCASTLE - Newcastle look light-years behind Liverpool and the score could easily have been doubled. United’s play is dated and unimaginative and they offer little other than long balls booted up to Davies. It is a humiliating performance. Director Stan Seymour praises the home side’s “best display I’ve seen for years”, but also has words of encouragement for the United players. “Our lads took a hiding like sportsmen and will not allow their morale to suffer”.
Chelsea - SJP - 34,809
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliot, McGrath, Iley, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies (2), Robson T, Elliott, Bennett - Tambling (pen)
Position: 6th
UNITED CURE THOSE ANFIELD BLUES - Despite the humiliating defeat at Liverpool, Harvey decides to retain the same eleven. Robson opens the scoring when he smashes in a volley at the near post which hits the net with such force that the ball catapults back to the edge of the area. Davies scores the next two including, unusually for him, a shot from twenty-yards. It is all United after the break and as well as scoring twice Davies hits the post and Bonetti is called into action on numerous occasions. Right from the start, when Tommy Robson is badly fouled by Boyle, there are some rough challenges and five players, including Davies, McGrath and Burton are on the end of a lecture from the referee. Davies gives a storming display and Clark battles bravely despite being covered in boils, one of them painfully bursting after a heavy fall.
Stoke - SJP - 38,924
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McGrath, Iley, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies - Mahoney
Position: 7th
UNITED’S CAT-NAP HAS FANS NODDING - A gale-force wind ensures this is never going to be a high quality game. Stoke adopt a defensive blanket and get their hoped-for-reward with United often technically and tactically remiss. Most of the scrappy game takes place in midfield. The crowd are lifted by a sixteen-yard smasher from Davies, but Mahoney equalises just before the break.
Man. City - Maine Road - 29,978
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McGrath, Iley, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Hince, Young
Position: 12th
Nottm Forest - City Ground - 30,155
Marshall, Clark, Elliott, McGrath, Iley, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Newton, Wignall, Baker, Moore.
Position: 13th
Lincoln City - Sincil Bank - 15,454
McFaul, Craggs, Clark (Burton), Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Hilley, Ross
Scorers: Burton - Grummett, Peden (p)
LOWLY LINCOLN LEAVE UNITED HIGH AND DRY - The Magpies are deservedly beaten by the Fourth Division side who have seven free transfer men in their ranks. Lincoln are the better side and create the clearer chances only for substitute Burton to hit a glorious rising drive from over twenty-yards with nineteen minutes left. But ten minutes later, Imps captain Grummett fairly sets the net shaking. And with only four minutes left Iley handles a cross and Peden sends McFaul the wrong way from the spot.
Coventry - SJP - 28,892
McFaul, Craig, Guthrie, Elliott, McGrath, Moncur, Bennett, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies, Iley, Bennett - Rees, Gould
Position: 12th
Sheff. United - Bramall Lane - 16,387
Marshall, Burton, Craig, Elliott, McNamee, Iley, Robson B, Bennett (McGrath), Davies, Noble, Robson T
Scorers: Robson B (p) - Carlin, Reece.
Position 13th
-Arsenal - SJP - 33,377
Marshall, Burton, Craig, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Robson B, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies, Robson B (p) - Graham
Position 13th
DEFENCE IS A ‘WINNER’ FOR UNITED - League leaders Arsenal are six-games unbeaten, but they don’t seem to relish the gale-force conditions. And the wind contributes to Unitrd’s opener when Arsenal ‘keeper Furnell positions himself to catch a long, high ball only for a swirling gust to send it back towards Davies’ head. Graham equalises just before the hour, but eight minutes later Robson restores United’s lead from the spot. The whole team and Moncur and McNamee in particular, defend heroically against a Gunners onslaught in the last twenty minutes. Running and graft beat craft on the day.
Wolves - Molineux - 32,386
Marshall, Burton, Guthrie, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Robson B, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Robson T, Robson B - Holgrove, Wharton
Position 14th
UNITED'S LAST LAUGH ON MICKEY-TAKERS - After Tommy Robson gives United a great start, Wolves hit-back to take the lead. From that point they are guilty of playing to the gallery and pay the price when Brian Robson equalises sixteen minutes from time. Newcastle play with heart and desire in a game full of hot tempers, with sinners on both sides. A bus carrying 28 members of the London Supporters Club is attacked by Wolves fans as it leaves the Wolves car-park. A brick shatters the back window and hits supporter Molly Wilson who requires hospital treatment.
Fulham - SJP - 27,664
Marshall, Burton, Craig, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Robson B (Guthrle), Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Bennett (2) - Clarke
Position: 10th
Glentoran - - 8,000
Scorers: Creighton (og)
Leeds - Elland Road - 30,347
Marshall, Burton, Guthrle, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Bennett, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Johanneson,
Position 14th
NEWCASTLE NEVER IN WITH A CHANCE - Right from the off Leeds take control and drive United’s defence dizzy. With the wingmen once more failing to impress and Davies having a stinker, United offer little resistance.
Everton - SJP - 34,030
Marshall, Burton (so), Guthrie, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Iley (p)
Position 11th
The first-half is a desperate, niggly affair with more fouls than goalmouth incidents. After the break things deteriorate further. Just before the hour mark Alex Young falls to the ground clutching his face after a challenge by Burton and United's centre-half is sent-off. A couple of minutes later McNamee could easily have followed when he scythes down Hunt, but despite their numerical disadvantage the Magpies take the game to Everton. Five minutes before the end Everton goalkeeper West punches Bennett and all hell lets loose. Once the situation has calmed down West is also given an early bath. Sandy Brown dons the keeper's jersey and United have a penalty. Regular taker Pop Robson is not playing and second-in-line Burton has been dismissed. Scott is carrying an injury so captain Iley asks Davies and Bennett whether they want to take it. As neither of them do, Iley takes matters into his own hands and blasts the ball past Sandy Brown. However Davies has encroached so the referee orders a retake; Iley blasts in again.
Leicester - Filbert Street - 18,001
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Robson T, Bennett, - Sinclair, Stringfellow
Position 11th
West Ham - SJP - 32,869
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies
Position 9th
UNITED CAST THEIR NEUROSIS TO WIND - Ninety minutes of wind-ruined drabness enlivened only by half-a-dozen “nearly moments” and a goal of text-book simplicity. Neither side have the ability to keep the ball on the deck and it is a squalling lottery. Davies heads in a perfectly-placed Iley freekick on sixty-nine minutes. Scott really struggles to get into the game and at one point gets an ironic cheer for just touching the ball.
Burnley - Turf Moor - 15,546
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Hilley, Robson T
Scorers: Harris, Lochhead.
Position 12th
UNITED MAULED BY A BEDLINGTON ‘ TERRIER’ - The pitch is frozen and the match is a bit of a pantomime, with players on both sides struggling to stay upright. There is plenty of fight and industry from the Magpies, but Bedlington-born Brian O’Neil, who has a hand in both the Burnley goals, is the star.
Sheff. Wed - SJP - 28,101
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Bennett (2), Elliott, Davies
Position 9th
ITS THE POWER GAME - Bennett scores after only four minutes and throughout the match United play a brand of open, accurate and powerful football which overwhelms the Owls. Wednesday keeper Springett has to be in superb form to prevent a rout. It is arguably United’s best performance since returning to the top flight and a sixth home win in a row.
Tottenham - White Hart Lane - 34,494
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies - Gilzean
Position 8th
SPURS STRUGGLE AS UNITED FIGHT PAYS OFF - The dominating feature of the game is the solidity and assurance of United’s defence with Moncur, McNamee and Marshall all excelling. Both goals come in the first twenty minutes. Davies challenges Knowles and the ball flies past the stranded Jennings. Seven minutes later the Spurs defender crosses for Gilzean to head home.
Man. Utd - SJP - 48,639
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Iley, Robson T - Kidd, Dunne
Position 8th
MANCHESTER’S SURGE CATCHES NEWCASTLE - There is a covering of snow on the rock-hard ground and it is the visitors who adapt better to the difficult conditions in the early stages. The Magpies gradually find their footing and score twice in the first ten minutes after the break, only for the Red Devils to score twice in the last five minutes. Dunne’s equaliser in the last minute is a fluke as his cross goes in off the post with Marshall slithering around on the ground
Southampton - The Dell - 19,498
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Position 6th
UNITED PUT DENT IN THE ‘SAINTS’ HALO - Newcastle, playing in all-blue, put a stop to Southampton’s usual slick play at the Dell with another performance of determination and fight. Indeed it is United who come closest to scoring when Bennett’s hammer-shot from the edge of the area is tipped onto the post by Forsyth and Robson flies in to head the rebound against the same upright.
Liverpool - SJP - 46,204
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Scott - St. John
Position 8th
UNITED ‘M’ SQUAD SHACKLE LIVERPOOL - Not a classic by any means as United earn another hard-fought point. They are excellent in the first-half as they relentlessly shadow and smother Liverpool whilst chasing every half-chance up front. Scott opens the scoring and Tommy Robson gets some unwanted attention from a tipsy pitch invader. St. John equalises before the break. Though not as impressive in the second, the Magpies deservedly share the points with the defence as solid as a rock again.
Sunderland - SJP - 59,579
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Bennett, Davies - Suggett
Position 6th
BROADSIDE FOR THE DESTROYERS - The gates are closed twenty-five minutes before kick-off with an estimated 4,000 locked out. At least 100 others get in for free by climbing a wall and trampling down barbed wire. Six ambulances are called to the ground with one fan suffering a broken leg. Police remove a handful of spectators from the ground, but no arrests are made. Sunderland goalkeeper Montgomery, so often their saviour, is punished for a couple of mistakes. He drops a dropping ball to allow Davies to prod the ball home for the opener and is deceived by a twenty-yarder from Bennett which bulges the net in the centre of the goal for the winner. It is a feisty game in which Sunderland’s game has a destructive form of devilry. They concede 33 free-kicks in all with United penalised 17 times.
Sunderland - Roker Park - 46,030
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Burton (2p), McNamee
Position 6th
Stoke - Victoria Ground - 17,623
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Davies
Position 7th
MARSHALL MISTAKE SHOCKS NEWCASTLE - United are comfortable in the first-half on a very muddy Victoria Ground, but the home side take the lead just before the break. Immediately after the restart Marshall makes a calamitous mistake when he allows a weak effort from Burrows to slip through his hands and legs. The Magpies are all over the place for some time until they gradually regain their poise and confidence and manage to pull one back. For the rest of the match United send McNamee up front and batter their hosts, but Gordon Banks stands firm in the home goal.
Nottm. Forest - SJP - 43,274
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Bennett, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Position 6th
FARCE ROBS STARS OF CHANCE TO SHINE - Jackie Sinclair makes his first start and Brian Williamson (who was rejected by Newcastle as a youngster) makes his debut in the Forest goal. There is a thin layer of snow over a frostbound pitch and the conditions make the match a lottery in which both teams struggle to just keep upright. Both keepers perform well.
Coventry - Highfield Road - 33,760
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Bennett (Scott), Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Scott, Sinclair, Robson T, Davies - Baker
Position 5th
NEWCASTLE WING WAY TO VICTORY - Despite losing Bennett to an early injury United are well on top in the first-half and deservedly take the lead before conceding. Marshall rides his luck when he allows a simple header to slip through his hands before recovering to stop the ball crossing the line. Newcastle dominate the second forty-five and romp home to a very comfortable victory and their first away win of the season. England manager Alf Ramsey is at the match and he is believed to be watching Dave Elliot who professes his amazement: "I'm surprised he has even heard of me". United are up to fifth.
Carlisle - SJP - 56,569
McFaul, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies,Iley, Robson T
Scorers:
With ten minutes left United are thrown a lifeline when they are awarded a penalty. Burton hits it well enough, but lan Ross saves it. After the game he mentions that he had been to the game against Nottingham Forest a couple of weeks ago and the programme had contained a picture(s) of Burton's penalty miss against Sunderland and he decided to dive the same way.
Sheff. Utd - SJP - 32,191
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Robson B, Davles, Iley, Sinclair
Scorers: Davles
Position 5th
”POP” STORMS BACK WITH SUPER SHOW - Bryan Robson Is recalled to the side for the first time since mid October.
Arsenal - Highbury - 36,996
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Winstanley, McGrath, Moncur, Scott, Foggon (Robson T), Robson B, Elllott, Sinclair
Position 5th
With McNamee and Iley out Injured Harvey calls up youngsters Wlnstanley (for only his second start) and Foggon (making his debut).
Celtic - SJP - 38,836
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Scott, Robson B, Davles, Iley, Sinclair
Scorers: Scott
SCOTTS THUNDERBOLT GIVES UNITED THAT ROSY EUROPEAN GLOW - It is meant to be a friendly but no-one seems to have told the players or the travelling fans. Celtic won the European Cup in 1966/67 and the game Is full of throbbing, open football that has the spectators enthralled. The only goal comes just before the end when Clark makes a great overlapping run and centres for Scott to send a rocket header past former United United keeper Simpson A bottle ban had been imposed but some were still smuggled through and the fifty-five policemen at the match make seventy arrests. After the game hundreds of Celtic fans run riot through the city centre and scores of pubs have to call the police. There are reports of fighting and thefts and at least eighteen shop windows are smashed. After closlng-time there are broken bottles everywhere and numerous Scots lying around In a drunken stupor.
Wolves - SJP - 35,431
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Robson B, Robson T
Scorers: Elliott, Robson T
Position 5th
NEWCASTLE OWE IT TO ELLIOT - It is a depressing flrst-half, Wolves have come to defend and although United have plenty of possession they cannot get into their normal drive and strong-running. The main entertainment Is provided by the mounting tension between McNamee and visiting attacker Dougan. United make the breakthrough just after the break through Elliot and Tommy Robson adds a second.
Sheff. Wed. - Hillsborough - 24,762
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, Winstanley, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Robson B, Robson T
Scorers: Robson T - Witham
Position 5th
SHOT-SHY UNITED SCRAPE A POINT - Wednesday's first and second choice keepers are both out injured so they have had to draft In 17-year-old Gary Scothorn for his debut. However United's stumbling shot-shy attackers give him very little to do. It Is a poor first-half with neither side producing anything of note. There is no great improvement after the break but at least both sides find a goal.
Celtic - Parkhead - 42,000
Scorers: Davies, Scott, Robson T - Johnstone , Lennox
Celtic are determined to get retribution for their defeat on Tyneside and for the first thirty minutes they are all over United. But the defence holds firm and United breakaway and score twice following fast breaks. In a frenetic finish three more goals are scored in the last five minutes.
Leeds - SJP - 46,075
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Robson T - Hunter
Position 5th
ROBBED AT THE LAST GASP AFTER GALLANT FIGHTING DISPLAY - There is a strong wind and Leeds have it at their backs in the first-half. As a result they do most of the attacking but United defend superbly and Leeds resort to increasingly dirty play. The Magpies take the lead within minutes of the restart but although they wipe the floor with Leeds they cannot deliver the knock-out punch and the visitors equalise just before the whistle. Ten minutes before the end O'Grady lands a fist on Robson's face in an off-the-ball incident but none of the officials see it. And when Leeds equalise substitute Terry Hibbitt jumps out of the dug-out to celebrate and delivers a victory sign to the crowd. One irate supporter fells him with a coin and he is led down the tunnel for treatment.
Everton - Goodison Park - 43,519
Marshall, Buri:on, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Kendall
Position 5th
KENDALL GOAL STOPS UNITED ROBBERY - It is one-way traffic in the first forty-five with Everton raining shots and headers on the United goal. But Moncur is absolutely magnificent and the rest of the defence support him superbly. Just after the break Husband gets the ball into the net but the effort is disallowed for pushing. The Everton players are incensed and Alan Ball argues so much with the referee that he is sent-off. This sparks amazing scenes with the home supporters throwing various missiles on to the pitch and the referee having to stop the game for a number of minutes. After the dismissal the game becomes increasingly bad-tempered with lots of dangerous tackles and sluggish body-checks. Despite their numerical disadvantage the Toffees keep up their relentless attacking and they get their reward six minutes from time.
Hibernian - SJP - 14,050
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davles, Robson B, Robson T
Scorers: Scott, McNamee - O'Rourke
EVEN THE DOG WAS DISGUSTED! - It is not a great game and the best entertainment of the afternoon is when a dog runs on to the pitch.
Leicester - SJP - 33,932
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Robson B, Davles, Iley, Robson T
Scorers:
Position 6th
West Ham - Upton Park - 27,780
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Iley, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair (Craig), Scott, Davles, Robson B, Robson T
Scorers: Brooking (3), Sissons (2)
Position 7th
Once West Ham take the lead midway through the first-half they are totally dominant. United are ponderous, slow-witted and pedestrian and could have been beaten by a lot more. Marshall has to be on top form.
WBA - SJP - 40,308
Marshall, Burton, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Robson B, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Iley Robson T
Position 7th
Burnley (H) - SJP - 27,229
Marshall, Craig, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Scorers: Sinclair
Position 7th
United start well and are unlucky when Davies heads against the bar from two successive corners in the eleventh minute. Burnley have come to protect what they have and the Magpies make too much use of the hefty boot so although they create some chances it is a poor game. Sinclair, the pick of the forwards, scores with a thunderous left-footed drive.
WBA - Hawthorns - 22,367
Marshall, Craig, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott (Burton), Davies, Iley, Robson T
Position: 8th
Fulham - Craven Cottage - 21,612
Marshall, Craig, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Ross (Burton), Davles, Iley, Scott
Position: 8th
Tottenham - SJP - 30,281
Marshall, Craig, Clark, Elliott, McNamee, Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Iley, Robson T
Robson T
Position: 9th
Man. United - Old Trafford - 59,697
McFaul, Craig, Clark, Burton, Winstanley (Iley), Moncur, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Elliott, Robson T
Position: 9th
Man. City - SJP - 46,492
McFaul, Craig, Clark, Moncur, McNamee, Iley, Sinclair, Scott, Davies, Robson B, Robson T
Robson B, Sinclair, McNamee - Young (2),Summerbee, Lee
Position: 10th
On the final Saturday Man City and Man Utd are battling for the title; they are level on points with City having the best goal average. Summerbee’s thirteenth-minute opener is cancelled out by Pop Robson sixty seconds later. Young hits a thunderous shot into the top corner to put City back in front, but once again United hit back through Sinclair three minutes later. After the break Young and Lee open up a two-goal cushion, but McNamee heads in Newcastle’s third to set up a nervy finale. City also have two efforts ruled out and Davies has a header cleared off the line. In the end Man Utd lost against Sunderland anyway.