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by Bfc » Fri Nov 01, 2019 1:51 pm
From the Evening Standard Headlines Dec 3rd 1960. Greaves scores 5 of Chelsea 7(WBA).
TOTTENHAM 4 UP- HELD TO 4-4
Match report by Bernard Joy THIS WAS THE MATCH OF THE CENTURY
This was not the match of the season- it was the match of the century. Spurs hitting3 goals in a fantastic three-minute spell here at White Hart Lane, jumping into a 4-0 lead. Then came the magnificentfight back by the reigning champions Burnley. And the result was a 4-4 draw.
Spurs first half onslaught came with a ferocity and suddenness which shattered Burnley. I doubt whether any team would have stood up to it.
The man who sparked off the spell was inside right John White. He refused to panic when Burnley had his colleagues reeling with fantastic football in the opening 15 minutes.
TWO FOR JONES
By continuing to play methodically he steadied the other forwards. It was from a corner by White that the first goal came after 18 minutes. The ball went wide to Mackay, who it straight back and Norman scored with a diving header.
Within another 3 minutes Spurs were 3 up. Jones scoring both goals. For the first a long throw by Mackay was helped on by Smith, who was playing despite a cold and Jones crashed it in first time. A minute later Allen and White combined on the left and Smith jumped over the centre leaving Jones an open goal.
I give Burnley full credit for fighting despite the heartbreaking position of being 3 down after all the early running.
It was thrill a minute football now, with Spurs just holding the edge. If Spurs rare the prospective champions, then Burnley are worthy to hold the title at present. Spurs were a well oiled machine, while Burnley exploited the game to perfection.
Connelly's miss
Two fine saves by Brown were followed by Connelly missing a fine chance from Pilkington. At the other end pile drivers by Allen and Mackay were scrambled away.
Burnley had another heartbreaking experience in the 36th minute, when Blacklaw mis- judged a 30 yard shot from Mackay and the ball slipped out of his grasp into the goal.
Burnley still refused to give up and 2 minutes later Connelly obtained the goal they richly deserved.
Just on half time a shot by McIlroy hit Brown on the foot as he dived , went straight up into the air and fell into his arms. That was the sort of luck Burnley were having- and yet there was no doubt Spurs deserved their lead.
Half-time Tottenham 4,Burnley 1.
Despite the heavy pitch- the covers were removed early today- the speed/ skills and thrills were maintained after the interval.
In the very first minute after the re start Jones made a fine run from the half way line , took a return pass from Allen and crashed in a low shot, which brought the save of the match from Blacklaw.
Burnley immediately retaliated with a combined move, in which the forwards- interchanged brilliantly. McIlroy shot and Brown got away with a despairing dive.
Jones was now the mainspring of the Spurs attack and was as likely to turn up as Centre Forward as he was likely to on the wings. He had fine service from Blanchflower.
Dangerous wingers.
The raids of wingers Connelly and Pilkington were very dangerous and Spurs backs looked uneasy under pressure. Within 2 minutes Burnley took advantage of two defensive errors to reduce the lead to 4-3 after 60 minutes play.
Henry tried to stop a cross shot from Pilkington which was going wide and the ball slithered away from him to Robson, who scored easily.
Then Norman only partially clea edfrom the goalmouth and Pointer snapped up the ball and ran on to beat Brown with a cross shot.
There were breathtaking escapes at both ends , as each team flung in everything for another goal. The 58,000 spectators were enthralled at this vigorous and brilliant battle for mastery, between two great teams.
Best of All
Connelly equalised after 74 minutes with the goal of the match, after a lightening exchange of passes with Robson. Immediately afterwards Allen hit the Burnley post.
Many memories for us old enough to remember those games/days.
Another memorable match was the Spurs home 7-2 when Sammy Todd made his debut, in the mid 60s.
My finger is numb after that 1 fingered write up, but I'm hope it will give a lot pleasure reading it.
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