CLARKE LEEDING THE WAY
BY the end of January 1973, Leeds and Norwich must have been sick of the sight of each other.
They faced each other four times in just 17 days. First was an FA Cup thirdround clash at Carrow Road.
Don Revie’s Leeds were the holders, Norwich were cup specialists themselves having reached the League Cup Final only days earlier by wrapping up a semi-final victory over Chelsea.
The Norwich-leeds tie ended 1-1 and in the replay four days later, Leeds were kept out for 75 minutes by a stopper Revie rated as “one of the best uncapped goalkeepers in the country.”
Kevin Keelan caught, blocked and parried everything Leeds could throw at him and it looked like a first-half strike from David Cross might send the Canaries through.
With 15 minutes left, Billy Bremner took aim at Norwich’s goal from 20 yards and with Keelan unsighted, the ball went in off his post and Leeds were saved.
Three days later it was back to Carrow Road for a league match that the visitors won 2-1, Allan Clarke’s 13th goal of the season proving to be the winner.
‘Sniffer’ was a striker with a point to prove after being left out of Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Wales – and he took out some of his frustration on Norwich in their second replay.
Norwich boss Ron Saunders (above) cranked up the tension ahead of the fourth game between the teams in short order, by accusing Leeds’ players of intimidating the officials at Carrow Road.
Revie responded by saying the Canaries boss was seeking to “cover up his team’s limitations” and within 35 minutes of the second replay getting underway the game was won.
It took Leeds all of 104 seconds to go ahead, Clarke supplying a spectacular finish to a good move.
Clarke spent time off the pitch after picking up a knee injury, before returning to double Leeds’ advantage after 20 minutes.
He completed a 35-minute hat trick and Mick Jones added a fourth before the break. Leeds hit one more in the second half, Peter Lorimer completing a miserable night for Norwich by making it 5-0 in the 71st minute.