A Moment In Time - 1982-83 When Brighton Almost Won The Cup

Brighton and Hove Albion first came into the Football League when a Third Division was created in 1921.  They spent all their time in that Division, other than 4 years in Division Two in the late ‘50’s.  That all changed in 1977 when they won promotion to Division Two, finishing second to Mansfield.  The following season they missed out on promotion to English football’s top tier on goal difference, when Tottenham took the 3^rd promotion spot.  But they were undeterred, finishing 2^nd the following season when Crystal Palace were champions.  Ironically, Palace had been the other promotion side when Brighton and Mansfield came up from the Third Division in 1977.

In August 1979 Brighton played their first ever match in the First Division.  It wasn’t an auspicious start as Arsenal arrived at The Goldstone Ground and came away with a 4-0 win.  Brighton suffered defeats in their first three games, before beating Bolton.  By the time they travelled to the European champions, Nottingham Forest in mid November, they had won just 2 games from 14 and were bottom of the table.  Forest had gone 42 matches at home without losing.  Remarkably, Brighton won the game 1-0 and ended Forest’s run.  Brighton won the home game, 1-0, later that season too.

Brighton finished 16^th that season, 19^th in the next (just 2pts above the relegation zone), and then 13^th in 1982.  By Christmas 1982, they were in the bottom three, having shipped 41 goals in their 22 matches.  Ultimately, they didn’t survive and were relegated from the top division, never to be seen again.

But the focus of this particular Moment In Time is the cup run they had that year, which very nearly ended in dreamland

Brighton had never gone further than the Fifth Round in the FA Cup before, reaching that stage on 5 previous occasions.  Since they became a First Division side, they had gone out in the Fourth Round twice.  1983 would be different.

When they gained promotion to the First Division, they were managed by ex-England international, Alan Mullery.  Mullery had overseen the rise from Division Three, but fell out with the club in 1981 and was replaced by ex-Charlton manager, Mike Bailey.  Bailey lasted just one season and the club then appointed Jimmy Melia

MANAGER

Jimmy Melia, had begun his professional at Liverpool, but left the club a couple of years after Shankly took over.  Brighton was his 4^th managerial appointment and he was considered a temporary arrangement, as they tried to maintain their First Division status.  His reign lasted just 311 days.

SQUAD

Goalkeepers

GRAHAM MOSELEY (age 29, 7 apps)  -  Spent 5 years at Derby County, before moving to Brighton in 1977.  He spent 9 years at the Goldstone Ground making 189 appearances.

PERRY DIGWEED (age 23, 1 app)  -  Began his career at Fulham and after 5 seasons, moved to Brighton in 1981.  Became a regular once Moseley left and ended up with 179 appearances for the club before he left in 1993.

Defenders

CHRIS RAMSEY (age 21, 6 apps)  -  Started as an apprentice with Bristol City, before moving to Brighton in 1980.  He was there for 5 years, before joining Swindon.

STEVE FOSTER (age 25, 6 apps)  -  Spent 4 seasons at Portsmouth making over 100 appearances before he arrived at Brighton in 1979.  Inspirational captain, was well-known for wearing a white headband during matches.  Earned 3 England caps, and was in the 1982 World Cup squad.  Also played in League Cup final for Luton in 1988 and 1989

GARY STEVENS (age 21, 8 apps)  -  Started out at Ipswich, but never made it to the first team and so moved to Brighton, making his debut in 1979.  He made 133 appearances, before moving to Tottenham in the summer 1983.  Capped 7 times for England.  Versatile player who could play at full-back, centre-back or midfield.   Now a Radio and TV pundit.

STEVE GATTING (age 24, 7 apps)  -  He started out at Arsenal, but struggled to hold down a regular place.  Moved to Brighton in 1981 and made over 300 appearances for the club.  Brother of former England cricket captain, Mike.

GRAHAM PEARCE (age 23, 5 apps)  -  Spent 4 years at Brighton from 1982, but only made 88 appearances.  Then moved to Gillingham.

Midfielders

JIMMY CASE (age 29, 8 apps, 4 goals)  -  Spent 8 seasons at Liverpool, winning League, European Cup, UEFA Cup and League Cup winners medals.  Moved to Brighton in 1981 and stayed for 4 years before leaving for Southampton.

TONY GREALISH (age26, 8 apps)  -  Battling midfield player who spent 5 years at Leyton Orient, which included an FA Cup Semi-Final appearance.  Then moved to Luton, where he helped them reach the First Division.  Joined Brighton in 1981 and stayed for 3 seasons.

GARY HOWLETT (age 20, 3 apps)  -  Dublin born player, who joined Brighton from Coventry in 1981.  Later joined Bournemouth in 1984 and was capped once by Republic of Ireland.

NEIL SMILLIE (age 24, 7 apps, 1 goal)  -  Part of the Crystal Palace side dubbed ‘Team of the 80’s’ and moved to Brighton in 1982.  Spent 3 seasons there before moving to Watford in 1985

GILES STILLE (age 24, 2 apps)  -  Started his career at Kingstonian, before moving to Brighton in 1979.  Never more than a fringe player, made only 27 appearances in 5 years.

Strikers

GORDON SMITH (age 28, 4 apps, 1 goal)  -  Scottish striker who began his career at Kilmarnock before moving to Rangers in 1977.  Won numerous honours with them, before joining Brighton in 1980. Made over 100 appearances before joining Man City in 1983.  He spent part of the 1982-83 season on loan back at Rangers.

MICHAEL ROBINSON (age 24, 8 apps, 3 goals)  -  Began his career at Preston in 1975, before Malcolm Allison splashed out £750,000 for him in 1979 to bring him to Man City.  After just one season there, he moved to Brighton, where he spent 3 years.  He then joined Liverpool.  Born in Leicester, but played 24 times for Republic of Ireland.  After his playing career, he became a tv pundit in Spain.

ANDY RITCHIE (age 22, 4 apps, 1 goal)  -  Started his career at Man Utd in 1977.  Couldn’t get a regular place, despite a decent scoring record when he did get a game.  Moved to Brighton in 1980, spending 3 seasons there, before moving to Leeds.  He was later part of the Oldham side that got into the First Division and reached an FA Cup Semi-Final.

GERRY RYAN (age 27, 3 apps, 1 goal)  -  Began his career in Dublin at Bohemians, before joining Derby in 1977.  Later joined Brighton and his goal ended Nottingham Forest’s long unbeaten home record in 1979.  His career was ended early when he broke his leg in 1985.

PETER WARD (age 27, 3 apps, 1 goal)  - Somewhat of a legend at the Goldstone Ground.  He beat the club’s goalscoring record when he hit 36 goals in 1976-77.  He scored a total of 79 goals in 178 games until he left for Nottingham Forest in 1980.  He returned to Brighton on a loan deal from October 1982, in time to take part in the cup run.

FA CUP 1982-83

There had already been some giant-killing results as Altrincham, Northwich Victoria, Boston United, North Shields, Bishop’s Stortford, Slough Town and Telford United had all put out league opponents in the First Round.  Weymouth and Worcester City both put out league opposition in the Second Round.  There were more surprises to come.

THIRD ROUND

Brighton began their cup campaign, as a welcome distraction from their disappointing league form.  Just 1 win in 10 had them 4^th from bottom, 1pt above the last placed side, Birmingham City.   They were drawn at home against Newcastle United, who were mid-table in Division Two.  Newcastle eventually just missed out on promotion as they had one of their most exciting teams in recent seasons, including players like Kevin Keegan, Terry McDermott, Imre Varadi and Chris Waddle.

Terry McDermott equalised Andy Ritchie’s opener for Brighton, and the game ended 1-1.  The replay at St. James’s Park was in front of a vociferous crowd confident of home success.  Brighton had yet to win away all season and so Newcastle piled forward to put the visitors under pressure, but it meant Brighton could hit them on the break.  That was how the first goal came.  A counter attack saw hesitation in the home defence and Peter Ward was on hand to put Brighton in front. 

Newcastle kept pressing, had shots cleared off the line, hit the woodwork and even had two goals disallowed, but they couldn’t equalise and Ward’s goal proved to be the only goal of the game.

8^th January 1983

BRIGHTON   (0)   1   (Ritchie)

NEWCASTLE   (0)   1   (McDermott)

BRIGHTON: Moseley; Ramsey, Pearce, Foster, Stevens; Case, Grealish, Stille; Ward Robinson, Ritchie

NEWCASTLE:  Carr; Anderson, Clarke, Carney,Wharton; McDermott, McDonald, Martin, Waddle; Keegan, Varadi

12^th January 1983

NEWCASTLE   (0)   0

BRIGHTON   (0)   1   (Ward 62)

Ward

NEWCASTLE: Carr; Anderson, Clarke, Carney, Wharton; McDermott, McDonald, Martin, Waddle; Keegan, Varadi

BRIGHTON: Moseley; Ramsey, Gatting, Stevens, Pearce; Case, Grealish, Stille (Smillie); Ward, Robinson, Ritchie

Other Matches

There were some surprises in the Third Round as Bishop’s Stortford took Middlesbrough to a replay, but eventually perished.  Second Division, Derby County beat Nottingham Forest, who 3 years previously were European Champions.  Fourth Division side, Newport County forced a replay with Everton, but also lost.

The big game was Manchester United, 3^rd in the league, against West Ham, who were lying 5^th.  Man Utd won 2-0.

FOURTH ROUND

Brighton were drawn against Manchester City.  City were lying mid-table and had been beaten finalists just 2 years before.  They’d beaten Sunderland after a replay, in the Third Round.  Ultimately, this season was to end in disaster for City, who were relegated.

Brighton began well when Jimmy Case’s shot was deflected past Joe Corrigan.  Then just before half-time, Andy Ritchie’s shot was parried by Corrigan, but the loose ball fell to Smillie who couldn’t miss.  In the second half, a lovely bit of skill in midfield from Tony Grealish saw him find Robinson in the area and he finished in style.  Then, with a minute to go, a typical Brighton breakaway saw Robinson beat the defence to slide the ball past Corrigan and Brighton had won handsomely.  They were through to the Fifth Round for the first time since 1960.

29^th January 1983

BRIGHTON   (2)   4   (Case 8, Smillie 32, Robinson 70, 90)

MANCHESTER CITY  (0)   0

BRIGHTON: Moseley; Ramsey, Foster, Stevens, Gatting; Case, Smillie, Grealish; Smith, Ritchie, Robinson

MAN CITY: Corrigan; Ranson, Caton, Reid, Bond; Tueart, Hartford, Power (Bodak); Reeves, Cross, Kinsey

Other Matches

There weren’t too many surprises in this round.  But, Arsenal needed three games to get past Second Division, Leeds United.  Crystal Palace beat First Division, Birmingham.

FIFTH ROUND

By now, Brighton were rock bottom of the First Division and still without an away win in the league.  They were drawn against the league champions and current league leaders, Liverpool.  Liverpool were 15pts clear at the top of the table and unbeaten at home since Brighton beat then in March 1982.  In fact, Liverpool hadn’t lost at home in the cup since 1969.  The odds were stacked against the visitors.

The game also bore further significance as ex-Liverpool player, Jimmy Case was back at Anfield after being sold to Brighton in 1981, having won League, League Cup, European Cup and UEFA Cup winners medals, as well as scoring in the 1977 FA Cup Final defeat to Man Utd.  Don’t forget Brighton were managed by former Liverpool player, Jimmy Melia.  In the Liverpool side that day, was ex-Brighton defender, Mark Lawrenson.

This was surely going to be a formality for Liverpool, wasn’t it?

Brighton caused a stir amongst the home fans when Gerry Ryan put the visitors in front after 32 minutes.  Craig Johnston then levelled things up in the second half, with an acrobatic overhead kick and Liverpool were expected to kick-on from there.  But within a minute, Brighton had scored again.  Who got it?  Oh yes, it could only be one player…..Jimmy Case.  The goal was similar to his strike against Man City in the last round, and Brighton were able to withstand the onslaught and pull off the shock of the cup that season.

20^TH February 1983

LIVERPOOL   (0)   1   (Johnston 67)

BRIGHTON   (1)   2   (Ryan 32, Case 70)

LIVERPOOL: Grobbelaar; Neal, Lawrenson, Hansen, Kennedy; Lee, Souness, Whelan; Hodgson (Johnston), Rush, Dalglish

BRIGHTON: Digweed; Ramsey, Stevens, Foster, Gatting; Case, Grealish, Smillie; Ryan, Robinson, Ward

Other Matches

Arsenal were again taken to a replay by a Second Division side, but they eventually beat Middlesbrough, 3-2.  Manchester United  won away at Derby County, a side they’d beaten on the way to lifting the trophy in 1977.  Everton beat Tottenham, 2-0 and Burnley beat Crystal Palace, 1-0 in a replay.  Norwich beat Ipswich, 1-0 in the East Anglian derby, and in an all Second Division clash, Sheffield Wednesday beat Cambridge United. 

The tie of the round was at Villa Park, when Aston Villa, in 6^th place in the First Division, beat Watford, who were 3^rd, 4-1.

QUARTER-FINALS

For the Sixth Round, Brighton were up against Norwich City.  Norwich were also struggling in the First Division and were just 2pts ahead of Brighton with both in the bottom four.  Interestingly enough, Norwich had been Brighton’s opponents on more occasions than any other club.

The game was a stop-start affair with many more fouls than chances, although either side could’ve won it.  The only goal of the game came in the second half when Jimmy Case burst through into the area, holding off a challenge, to put the ball past the Norwich keeper.  Norwich later disputed the goal, claiming Case had fouled their player, and then the linesman had raised his flag but then put it down again.  The goal stood, though, and it proved to be the only one of the game.

12^th March 1983

BRIGHTON   (0)   1   (Case 66)

NORWICH   (0)   0

BRIGHTON: Moseley;  Ramsey, Stevens, Foster, Gatting;  Case, Grealish, Smillie;  Ryan, Robinson Ritchie

NORWICH: Woods; Haylock, Symonds, Watson, Downs; Barham, Mendham, Bennett, Van Wyk (McGuire); Bertschin, Deehan

Other Matches

Six of the Eight clubs who’d reached this far were from the First Division.  Ironically, two of the eight clubs in this round, would eventually be relegated that season.  One of those clubs, Burnley, were up against Sheffield Wednesday.  A draw at Turf Moor saw Wednesday win comfortably, 5-0 in the replay.

Arsenal, who were languishing in 15^th in the league, beat Aston Villa 2-0.  The big game was at Old Trafford, where Manchester United beat Everton, 1-0.

SEMI-FINALS

Many could claim Brighton had a relatively easy route to the final, but up to this point they had always met First Division opposition, and had put out the league leaders.  They managed to avoid Manchester United and Arsenal as they were drawn against Sheffield Wednesday.  Brighton were the highest ranked team Wednesday had met in that season’s competition.  By this time, Wednesday were 7^th in the Second Division.  The game was played at Highbury.

Brighton got a great start when they were awarded a free-kick about 35 yards out.  Grealish rolled the ball for Jimmy Case to hit a typical thunderbolt, which swerved past the keeper and with barely 15 minutes gone, Brighton lead 1-0.  That’s how things stood until 10 minutes into the second half, when Brighton failed to clear a ball played into the area and Ante Mirocevic, Wednesday’s Yugoslav midfielder, was on hand to score from close range.  Into the final 15 minutes and Brighton broke with Case finding Smith, whose shot was saved, but he squared the ball for Robinson to shoot on the turn and Brighton were back in front.  Brighton held on and earned their first appearance in a cup final.

16^th April 1983

BRIGHTON   (1)   2   (Case 15, Robinson 78)

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY   (0)   1   (Mirocevic 56)

BRIGHTON: Moseley; Stevens, Gatting, Foster, Pearce;  Howlett, Case, Grealish, Smillie;  Smith, Robinson

SHEFF WED: Bolder; Sterland, Shelton, Lyons, Heard; Megson, Mills, Smith; McCulloch, Banniser, Mirocevic

FA CUP FINAL

By the time of the final, Brighton already knew they wouldn’t meet United again the following season as they finished bottom of the table.  United had finished 3^rd in the league and were also losing finalists in the League Cup.

Many teams have tried to do something different for the Cup Final build-up.  Brighton were sponsored by British Caledonian and they laid on a special Helicopter to fly the team to Wembley from their hotel in Croydon.  They circled Wembley Stadium several times before landing.

Brighton were hoping to emulate Sunderland, Southampton, Ipswich and West Ham.  All huge underdogs who’d beaten their more illustrious opponents in finals over the previous ten years

Brighton would be without their inspirational captain, Steve Foster, who was suspended for the Final. 

United had the better of the early chances when Alan Davies and Norman Whiteside should’ve done better with their headers, but Brighton weren’t overawed.  On 15 minutes a cross into the United box from Gary Howlett and Gordon Smith got between two United defenders to head the ball past Gary Bailey.  Brighton lead 1-0.  United kept trying to find a way back into the game, and created several chances but Graham Moseley made some important saves to deny them.  As the half wore on, Brighton themselves had chances to increase their lead, but they went into the break still 1-0 up.

In the second half, United had the ball in the net but it was ruled out as Whiteside had used his hand to control the ball.  Whiteside then turned things against Brighton as he went in hard on a tackle with Chris Ramsey and was lucky to still be on the pitch.  Ramsey tried to run off the injury, but United were able to take advantage as a cross from the right from Duxbury, was met at the far post by Stapleton and United were level.  Whether a fully fit Ramsey would’ve been able to get there before Stapleton is not certain, but the poor Brighton defender was then unable to continue.

Into the final 20 minutes and Muhren swept a ball from the left out to the right where Wilkins was unmarked.  Wilkins controlled it with his chest, switched it to his left and curled a beautiful shot past the outstretched hand of Moseley.  United looked to be in control and Robson should’ve made things certain rather than hit the side netting, but with 3 minutes to go Brighton had a corner on the right.  Case played it to Grealish on the edge of the area and his pass into the box, found Stevens on the penalty spot.  Stevens, Brighton’s best player on the day, controlled it with his left and then hit a right-foot shot past Bailey and Brighton had levelled.  90 minutes were up and for the 3^rd season running, the FA Cup Final would go to extra time.

Both sides looked increasingly tired and there were few chances, but towards the end Stevens attempted to head Bailey’s long –kick back to his goalkeeper and Whiteside nipped in but handled the ball.  Remarkably, for a player who had deliberately handled the ball twice, and also ended Ramsey’s final with a fierce tackle, Whiteside was still on the pitch.

But with a minute to go came the moment the final will always be remembered for.  United gave the ball away on the halfway line, and Jimmy Case played it over the United defence for Robinson to run onto.  The Brighton forward held off Moran, turned inside McQueen and then looked to his right and there was Gordon Smith all on his own.  He played it to Smith, who took a touch to steady himself and it seemed inevitable that he’d smash it past Bailey.  But Smith rather scuffed his shot and Bailey managed to smother it, and there went Brighton’s hopes of a giant-killing to remember.

Just before Smith shot, legendary radio commentator, Ron Jones came out with the now immortal line

“...and Smith must score”

But he didn’t.  Looking back now, it seems a little unfair on Smith as he was clearly tired and he still ‘had plenty to do’, as they say these days.  But, either way, the chance had gone.  The game ended 2-2 and for the 3^rd season running we now had a replay the following Thursday evening.

21^st May 1983

BRIGHTON   (1)   2   (Smith 14, Stevens 87)

MANCHESTER UNITED   (0)   2   (Stapleton 55, Wilkins 72)

BRIGHTON: Moseley; Ramsey (Ryan), Stevens, Gatting, Pearce; Howlett, Case, Grealish, Smillie;  Robinson, Smith

MANCHESTER UNITED: Bailey; Duxbury, Moran, McQueen, Albiston; Davies, Robson, Wilkins, Muhren; Stapleton, Whiteside

For the neutrals and the Brighton fans, the replay was a bit of an anti-climax.  They often were.  With the exception of the 1981 Final, all replays just seemed to lack something which made the cup final such a special occasion.  Man Utd were unchanged, but Brighton had an important change in their line-up.  Chris Ramsey, who went off injured in the first match, was replaced by club captain, Steve Foster.  Foster had missed the first game through suspension, and Brighton were confident he would make the difference.

Brighton were the livelier to begin with, putting some good passes together but were unable to really trouble Bailey.  Then on 25 minutes a low cross from the left found Davies in the Brighton area with his back to goal.  He laid it back for Robson to hit a low left-foot shot which went past Moseley’s outstretched left hand and United had taken the lead.

4 minutes later and United were 2-0 up.  Davies on the left, turned and crossed with his right to find Whiteside who headed past Moseley, and now United were in total control for the first time in the final.  United were finding more and more space, but then as the half drew to a close Jimmy Case picked up the ball just inside the United half.  He ran at the defence and then unleashed a shot, which deflected off Moran.  For a minute, it looked as if we were going to see a repeat of his goal against Man City or Liverpool from earlier in the campaign, but Bailey just got a finger to it to tip it over.

Then with a minute of the first half remaining, Foster gave away a free-kick on the left.  Muhren took it, Robson headed it on to the back post where Stapleton headed it back across goal and there at the near post was Robson again, to put the ball into the empty net and the game was all but over.

3-0 to United at the break, and then as we passed the hour mark, Stapleton put Robson through.  Stevens held him back and the ref pointed to the spot.  Muhren stepped up and made no mistake and so United were 4-0 up.

So the dream was over for Brighton, who never stopped running and working.  They were a credit to the club and the town.  At times you couldn’t understand how they had been so poor in the league, but this was the end of their brief flirtation at English football’s top table.

26^th May 1983

BRIGHTON   (0)   0

MANCHESTER UNITED   (3)   4   (Robson 25, 44, Whiteside 30, Muhren pen 62)

BRIGHTON: Moseley; Stevens, Gatting, Foster, Pearce; Howlett (Ryan), Case, Grealish, Smillie;  Robinson, Smith

MANCHESTER UNITED: Bailey; Duxbury, Moran, McQueen, Albiston; Davies, Robson, Wilkins, Muhren; Stapleton, Whiteside

Five Favourite Wins Against - Norwich away

Continuing the series where I look back at my five favourite wins against Liverpool’s next opponents.  This weekend Liverpool travel to Carrow Road to meet Norwich City and here are my five favourite wins from past encounters.

7^th October 1978

NORWICH CITY   (0)   1   (Ryan pen 75)

LIVERPOOL   (3)   4   (Heighway 6, 10, Johnson 36, Case 49)

NORWICH CITY: Keelan; Bond, Powell, Hoadley, Sullivan; Neighbour, Ryan, Robson, Peters; Reeves, Robb (Davies)

LIVERPOOL: Clemence; Neal, Thompson, Hansen, A.Kennedy; Case, Souness, R.Kennedy; Johnson, Dalglish, Heighway

Liverpool had won back-to-back titles in 1976 and 1977, yet were stunned when Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest stormed to the title in 1978, a year after promotion.  They began the 1978/79 season in determined mood.  They’d were unbeaten from the start of the season having won 7 of their 8 matches to date scoring 24 goals.  Norwich were 8^th, although they’d only won 2 matches but also only been beaten twice.  Their home record had so far seen them unbeaten, conceding only 2 goals.

Liverpool were off and running earlier as a patient build-up involved Johnson, Case and Dalglish before Dalglish’s back-header found Heighway wide on the left.  He twisted and turned to beat Kevin Bond and then fired a shot across the goal and into the far corner.  Keelan appeared to think it was going wide, but it crept in and Liverpool were in front.

Four minutes later, Ray Clemence kicked downfield and Dalglish turned Hoadley with ease before his shot hit the left-hand post and bounced back out.  As the home defence stood and watched Heighway was the first to react and slid the ball in past Keelan and Liverpool were 2-0 up.  Ten before the break and Case was again involved in midfield, combining with Dalglish who along with his strike partner, David Johnson, was pulling the Norwich defenders all over the place.  Alan Kennedy then joined the attack and as Dalglish’s run took the defence to the left, Johnson was all alone on the right-hand side of the area.  Kennedy slid the ball to him and he fired past Keelan for a 3-0 half-time lead.

Early in the second half Liverpool attacked again and Dalglish was brought down on the edge of the area by Hoadley.  Case and Souness were standing over the ball when Case ran up and fired the ball through the wall and into the net for their 4^th goal of the afternoon.  The defence may have been expecting Souness to take the kick but Case took it, it hit one of the turning Norwich defenders on the back and goes in.  Fifteen minutes to go and Martin Peters was played in on the left wing.  As he drifts into the area he cuts inside where Phil Neal trips him and the referee points to the spot.  John Ryan stepped up to take it and sent Clemence the wrong way.  It was no more than a consolation as Norwich were well beaten.  Liverpool pulled further ahead at the top of the table as Everton were held at home.

Liverpool won the League that year breaking a number of records on the way as they were one of the finest teams the English First Division had ever witnessed.  Norwich ended down in 16^th although were rarely in danger of relegation.

9^th February 1980

NORWICH CITY   (2)   3   (Peters 1, Reeves 37, Fashanu 81)

LIVERPOOL   (2)   5   (Fairclough 4, 18, 75, Dalglish 88, Case 89)

NORWICH CITY: Keelan; Bond, Jones, Brown, Downs; Mendham (McGuire), Ryan, Paddon, Peters; Reeves, Fashanu

LIVERPOOL: Clemence; Neal, Thompson, Hansen, A.Kennedy; Lee, Case, McDermott, R.Kennedy; Fairclough, Dalglish

A classic encounter talked about for years to come, although this had more to do with the plight of one particular player than the fact the game was an exciting battle. 

Liverpool came into the game top of the league, ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.  It had been two weeks since their last league game when they surprisingly lost at Coventry, ending a 16-game unbeaten run.  Norwich were sitting in 9^th and on an 8-game unbeaten run, although they’d only managed to win 2 of those 8 games.

Norwich were first out of the blocks and had soon forced a couple of corners.  The second was flicked on at the near post and Martin Peters headed in unchallenged from about 2 yards out.  However, instead of galvanising the home side into taking control it simply provoked the visitors into a reaction.  Three minutes later, David Fairclough drifted to the right wing to receive a pass from Terry McDermott.  Fairclough knocked the ball first time inside to Sammy Lee who then gave it back to Fairclough, now free in the area, and his shot was too hot for Keelan to keep out.   1-1.  Sammy Lee was making his first appearance of the season and Fairclough only his 3^rd, and his first for 5 months.

Eighteen minutes in and Alan Hansen embarked on a, now familiar, surge forward and as the defence concerned themselves with McDermott and Fairclough to his right, Hansen was able to make it all the way to the edge of the area.  Once at the area he then played Fairclough in and his first time shot beat Keelan, for his and Liverpool’s 2^nd goal.  Norwich were continuing to cause problems at set-pieces but then with just 8 minutes before the break, Norwich equalised.  Fashanu and Mendham combined on the right and Mendham’s ball into the area was nodded on by Graham Paddon and Kevin Reeves went in at the near post to beat Clemence and Neal to put things back on a level footing at 2-2 for half-time.

Both teams had chances in the second half to add to the score but with 15 minutes to go, Ray Kennedy put Dalglish in on the left and his ball across the goal was turned in at the far post by Fairclough to complete his hat-trick.  It was his first ever hat-trick for Liverpool, having made his debut back in November 1975.

Norwich came back at the league leaders and forced Clemence into some vital saves and then with 9 minutes to go came the iconic moment of the game.  In the inside right position, John Ryan knocked the ball to Justin Fashanu who was on the edge of the area with his back to goal.  Ryan was expecting it back as he carried on into the space on the right wing.  But Fashanu flicked the ball up with his right foot, swivelled and met it sweetly on the volley with his left.  Clemence stood no chance and Fashanu calmly walked away with his finger in the air.  He seemed destined for great things but this was probably as good as it got for Fashanu, but that’s another story.

Norwich had kept battling and were rightly confident of getting something from the game, but they were victims of Liverpool’s unrelenting will to win.  Fairclough missed a golden opportunity to grab his fourth as he was put clear by a ball from defence, but in a move synonymous with his famous goal against St.Etienne, Fairclough fluffed his lines somewhat and Keelan managed to stop the ball between his knees.  With two minutes to go, Case put McDermott in on the right of the area and his shot across the goal was headed in on the line by Dalglish.  It was an incisive move and Liverpool were clinical in their pressure.  Within minutes of the kick-off Case and Dalglish played a one-two on the edge of the box and Case held off David Jones to fire into the roof of the net and put the result beyond doubt.

Liverpool won 5-3 and Norwich were so close to mixing it with the Champions but ultimately fell foul of a side who went onto retain their title.  Norwich finished 12^th in the table.

29^th April 1995

NORWICH CITY   (1)   1   (Ullathorne 17)

LIVERPOOL   (1)   2   (Harkness 7, Rush 84)

NORWICH CITY: Marshall; Bowen, Newsome, Ward, Crook; Polston, Milligan, Sutch, Ullathorne (Adams); Bradshaw (Cureton), Akinbiyi

LIVERPOOL: James; Wright, Babb, Scales, Harkness; McManaman, Thomas, Redknapp, Barnes (Clough); Fowler (Walters), Rush

As the 1994/95 season drew to a close Liverpool had already qualified for Europe by virtue of winning the League Cup yet were also closing in on a top three place as they were 3pts behind Forest with 2 games in hand.  Norwich, on the other hand, were in trouble in the bottom three although they were one of five clubs separated by just 1pt.  Norwich had won just 1 game all year (17 matches) and had lost 5 in a row.

Liverpool took an early lead in the 7^th minute as Ian Rush caused problems in the area and the ball fell kindly for Steve Harkness to fire them into the lead.  It was Harkness’s first goal for Liverpool in his 4^th season at the club.  Ten minutes later the home side equalised.  John Polston crossed from the right and Robert Ullathorne came in on the far post to fire the ball into the roof of the net.

With the home crowd desperate for any point they could grab, Liverpool finally broke their hearts as Steve McManaman’s shot was fumbled by Andy Marshall and Ian Rush was on hand to turn the ball into the empty net.  It was 34 year old Rush’s 19^th of the season in what would prove his final full season at Liverpool.

Liverpool ended in 4^th place, unable to close the gap on Forest.  Norwich were relegated ending 5pts from safety.

28^th April 2012

NORWICH CITY   (0)   0

LIVERPOOL   (2)   3   (Suarez 24, 28, 82)

NORWICH CITY: Ruddy; Naughton, Ward, Drury (Martin), R.Bennett; Howson, E.Bennett, Pilkington, Fox (Vaughan); B.Johnson, Morison (Holt)

LIVERPOOL: Reina; G.Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, Gerrard (Coates), Shelvey, Downing; Bellamy, Suarez (Kuyt)

Two weeks before this fixture Liverpool had come from behind to beat Everton in the FA Cup Semi-Final at Wembley.  They followed that with a frustrating 0-1 defeat at home to West Brom and were lying 8^th in the table.  Norwich were down in 13^th but a comfortable 10pts above the drop-zone.

This game will be remembered for the performance of one man, Luis Suarez.  The Uruguayan was on fire and looked unstoppable.  Midway through the first half Norwich knocked the ball around at the back when Steven Gerrard pounced on a short pass to Fox and sent Suarez clear.  Suarez fired a fierce left-foot shot giving Ruddy no chance.  Barely four minutes later and Suarez was at it again, nicking the ball on the right and as he powered his way into the area support appeared to his left, but Suarez fired a low shot right into the far corner and he had a double in quick time.

Liverpool lead 2-0 at the break and were good value for their lead.  Liverpool’s lead was rarely threatened during the second half but for all Suarez brilliance in the first two strikes, everything paled into insignificance with the third goal.  The ball was down near the bye-line in the Liverpool area when Johnson played the ball up field where Suarez was marked by Elliott Bennett.  Suarez got there first, with Bennett putting in a weak challenge.  Suarez crossed the halfway and then barely 10 yards into the Norwich half he floated the ball outrageously over Ruddy and into the net for a stunning goal to complete his hat-trick.  It was his first hat-trick for the club and a performance many of us have come to expect from him since.

Liverpool ended the season in 8^th although they lifted the Carling Cup and were runners-up in the FA Cup.  Norwich finished in 12^th.

29^th September 2012

NORWICH CITY   (0)   2   (Morison 61, Holt 87)

LIVERPOOL   (2)   5   (Suarez 2, 38, 57, Sahin 47, Barnett og 68)

NORWICH CITY: Ruddy; Martin, Garrido, Barnett, Turner; Snodgrass, Howson, Surman (Hoolahan), B.Johnson; Jackson (Holt), Morison (Tettey)

LIVERPOOL: Reina; Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, G.Johnson (Carragher); Sahin (Henderson), Gerrard, Allen, Suso (Assaidi); Sterling, Suarez

In Brendan Rodgers first season as Liverpool manager they were still waiting for their first league win by the time they arrived at Carrow Road at the end of September.  After five matches they sat third from bottom with just 2pts.  This Norwich game would prove the catalyst to get their season started.  Norwich, themselves were without a win, scoring just twice so far.

Early in the game Glen Johnson came forward down the left and as he cut inside he tried to play in Nuri Sahin.  The pass was blocked and fell to Luis Suarez just outside the area.  He played it onto his right and hit a low shot beating Ruddy at his near post.  There was a controversial moment during the first half when a long-kick from Reina bounced over Suarez as he got ahead of Leon Barnett and the Norwich defender appeared to clumsily bundle him over.  The referee waved away a penalty with the home side claiming Suarez dived.  TV Replays appeared to prove otherwise.

As half-time approached Daniel Agger surged forward from the back and played Suarez in on goal but he slid his shot wide of the post.  As he faced derision from the home fans, Ruddy took the goal-kick short to Garrido at left-back and he played it square to Michael Turner.  Turner, unaware Suarez was behind him, then turned to face his keeper and found Suarez who nicked the ball off him, turned and netmegged the Norwich defender before beating Ruddy with a shot using the outside of his right foot.  It was a masterful piece of impudence from Suarez who took delight in giving the Norwich fans back some of their own medicine.

Minutes after the break Robert Snodgrass inexplicably put the ball over from about 2 yards and Liverpool immediately punished him.  Sterling, with an exuberant burst forward, played Suarez in on the left.  He got to the bye-line but his first pass was blocked so he had another go with his right foot and there was Sahin to turn it in for this first League goal for the club he was on loan to.  Ten minutes later Suarez completed his hat-trick.  Given too much room on the left-side just outside the area, he was able to curl the ball round Martin and in past Ruddy for his 6^th goal in successive matches at Carrow Road.

Norwich did fight back almost immediately as Russell Martin came forward to join the attack and his shot was too hot for Reina to hold and the rebound fell to Morison who turned it in. 1-4 Norwich now trailed but Liverpool soon restored their 4-goal advantage.  Gerrard found Sterling on the right and as he reached the area he played it back to Gerrard and the Liverpool captain’s shot hit Barnett and went in.  Just before the end Grant Holt pounced on a mistake by Martin Skrtel and curled the ball past Reina but Liverpool were comfortable winners, enjoying their first of the season.

Liverpool recovered from their disappointing start to the season, ending 7^th with Norwich finishing in 11^th.

HEAD TO HEAD at Carrow Road

Matches: 26

Liverpool win: 11

Norwich win: 7

Draws: 8

Liverpool goals: 39

Norwich goals: 30