I was there. The game, or at least the first-half, had plenty of "fireworks", a recovery from an early 0-2 deficit, a Clive Walker hat-trick, also two sendings-off. Seem to recall we were comfortably placed in mid-table in Division One at the time, and with a promising Milk Cup run also taking place, everything in the garden seemed rosy/the all-too-familiar relegation battle seemed like it just might be at last a thing of the past. But sadly, things all went pear-shaped, for Milk Cup Final defeat v Norwich, was followed by relegation from the top flight just a few weeks later. Guess it could only happen to us!
Different shade of blue. The EC was won wearing Royal Blue, due to the presence of the Royal Family at Wembley on the night. But yeah, I get what you mean!
That's a proper Misters bench on the sidelines. 3 of us were in with United fans , as were other Sunderland, we couldn't get in Sunderland turnstiles..
This match was the beginning of the end for Atkinson, despite winning the cup. I remember the press laid into yet another capitulation, and questioned how Utd could concede directly from kick off. They did this again against Forest, 2 up, 3/2 down the same season. Fans were getting fed up. Moses, Strachan in the centre just werent good enough to dominate matches, while Olsen never hit his Denmark heights for Utd. It left too much to do for Robbo Hughes and Whiteside.
