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Chelsea v Leeds: 42 years on from THAT grudge match

It's been eight years since Leeds and Chelsea shared a pitch but Wednesday's League Cup clash evo...
Newstalk
Newstalk

18.22 16 Dec 2012


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Chelsea v Leeds: 42 years on f...

Chelsea v Leeds: 42 years on from THAT grudge match

Newstalk
Newstalk

18.22 16 Dec 2012


Share this article


It's been eight years since Leeds and Chelsea shared a pitch but Wednesday's League Cup clash evokes a few memories of the infamous 1970 FA Cup final.

Neither side had won the Cup as they headed into that match. And with both sides desperate to get that maiden trophy the match turned out to be a marathon.

It took two games - four hours - of football to separate the sides which featured an Irish player on each team - the legendary John Giles for Leeds and John Dempsey for Chelsea.

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Future Ireland boss Jack Charlton also patrolled Leeds' back line.

The first game below Wembley's iconic twin towers finished all square at 2 - 2.

Because of the poor pitch at Wembley the replay was moved to Old Trafford, 18 days later.

The pitch was in better nick but referee Eric Jennings who officiated the first game, allowed the teams to kick lumps out of each other.

Meaty challenges

Chelsea skipper Ron "Chopper" Harris lived up to his name, catching Leeds' Eddie Gray's knee early on which left the winger a passenger for the rest of the game.

Other highlights included Big Jack Charlton getting in on the action when he headbutted Chelsea legend and Giles throwing in a few meaty challenges.

Reviewing the game 27 years on, ex-Premier League referee David Elleray concluded that he would have brandished six red cards and 20 yellows.

Incredibly there was only one booking in the actual game.

And of course there was a game of football going on at the same time. Chelsea beat Leeds 2 - 1 in the replay to claim their first ever FA Cup final.  

 


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