How Manchester City Helped Decide The Fate Of The Last Division One Title – Part 2

After thrashing Leeds United, the final first division title looked destined for Old Trafford. City had given their neighbours and fierce City rivals a huge boost and the Reds had two games in hand and a one point advantage. If they beat City at Old Trafford, the title would surely be over. But as usual, the blues had other ideas as they took to, well what United called a pitch on 7^th April 1992.

Leeds fans were hoping for the blues to pull of a similar result, or any result for that matter, just as long as United didn’t go four points clear. And they very nearly got their wish.

City started the better side, with Niall Quinn having a couple of chances in the first half. The first was straight into the arms of the keeper then, the ‘pitch’ played it’s part in creating a second chance for the striker, but the bobbles in the ground prevented Quinn from getting a clean strike on the ball.

It was only inevitable that, given that City were the better side, that United would take the lead. Steve McMahon was dispossessed in the United half and the home side broke forward, with the ball finding Ryan Giggs on the right. The winger cut inside the defender and fired a left foot shot from outside the area that beat Coton and put United 1-0 up. It was the home side’s first attempt on goal, so nothing changes, and it was the last attempt of the half worth of note as United went in a goal up at the break.

In the second half, City’s uphill struggle got worse ten minutes into the second half. Neil Pointon’s challenge on Giggs resulted in the left back effectively planting his studs into the winger’s abdomen, which earned Pointon a red card.

But the blues were not to be denied and when Fitzroy Simpson released David White down the left wing, there was only ever going to be one winner. The winger raced into the box and was brought down by Steve Bruce and the referee pointed straight to the spot. White playfully tapped Bruce on the head as he walked away and City had a golden chance to equalise. Defender Keith Curle stepped up and rifled the ball into the top corner giving Schmeichel no chance.

With the prospect of dropping two points, United pressed forward without success and when the defence were beaten, they still couldn’t find another way past Coton., with the big keeper saving well from Lee Sharpe, before bravely diving for the loose ball to prevent Mark Hughes from following up.

And the blues almost won the match near the end. Bruce’s sliced clearance fell for White inside the area and, with only Schmeichel to beat, the winger hit a volley just wide when it looked easier to score.

A point though was enough for ten man City to put the cat amongst the pigeons and put another dent in a team’s title hopes. City went on to finish fifth in the league, narrowly missing out on a European spot and the only game they lost for the remainder of the season was 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday.

As for the title, well United went on to win the next two matches, but lost three in succession, while Leeds clawed back the points and won the last ever First Division title by four points.

The unthinkable had been delayed for another season.

Final Score: Manchester United 1-1 Manchester CityHow Manchester City Helped Decide The Fate Of The Last Division One Title – Part 2

After Leeds, Blues Dent United’s Chances Too

After thrashing Leeds United, the final first division title looked destined for Old Trafford. City had given their neighbours and fierce City rivals a huge boost and the Reds had two games in hand and a one point advantage. If they beat City at Old Trafford, the title would surely be over. But as usual, the blues had other ideas as they took to, well what United called a pitch on 7^th April 1992.

Leeds fans were hoping for the blues to pull of a similar result, or any result for that matter, just as long as United didn’t go four points clear. And they very nearly got their wish.

City started the better side, with Niall Quinn having a couple of chances in the first half. The first was straight into the arms of the keeper then, the ‘pitch’ played it’s part in creating a second chance for the striker, but the bobbles in the ground prevented Quinn from getting a clean strike on the ball.

It was only inevitable that, given that City were the better side, that United would take the lead. Steve McMahon was dispossessed in the United half and the home side broke forward, with the ball finding Ryan Giggs on the right. The winger cut inside the defender and fired a left foot shot from outside the area that beat Coton and put United 1-0 up. It was the home side’s first attempt on goal, so nothing changes, and it was the last attempt of the half worth of note as United went in a goal up at the break.

In the second half, City’s uphill struggle got worse ten minutes into the second half. Neil Pointon’s challenge on Giggs resulted in the left back effectively planting his studs into the winger’s abdomen, which earned Pointon a red card.

But the blues were not to be denied and when Fitzroy Simpson released David White down the left wing, there was only ever going to be one winner. The winger raced into the box and was brought down by Steve Bruce and the referee pointed straight to the spot. White playfully tapped Bruce on the head as he walked away and City had a golden chance to equalise. Defender Keith Curle stepped up and rifled the ball into the top corner giving Schmeichel no chance.

With the prospect of dropping two points, United pressed forward without success and when the defence were beaten, they still couldn’t find another way past Coton., with the big keeper saving well from Lee Sharpe, before bravely diving for the loose ball to prevent Mark Hughes from following up.

And the blues almost won the match near the end. Bruce’s sliced clearance fell for White inside the area and, with only Schmeichel to beat, the winger hit a volley just wide when it looked easier to score.

A point though was enough for ten man City to put the cat amongst the pigeons and put another dent in a team’s title hopes. City went on to finish fifth in the league, narrowly missing out on a European spot and the only game they lost for the remainder of the season was 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday.

As for the title, well United went on to win the next two matches, but lost three in succession, while Leeds clawed back the points and won the last ever First Division title by four points.

The unthinkable had been delayed for another season.

Final Score: Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City

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