I’ve been asked if Manchester City have ever thrown away a four goal lead… I’ve not started searching but there is a game in 1957 that saw City throw away a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes. The game ended in a 5-4 defeat and here’s the story of that match as told in my book Manchester The City Years (with contemporary match reports for subscribers below too):
In the FA Cup third round tie at struggling Newcastle (January 1957), a crowd of 57,890 were entertained with a performance from both sides that had many pondering why the League was such an issue. The game ended 1-1 at a rain soaked St. James Park, although Bill McAdams missed a relatively simple chance towards the end thanks to the poor conditions.
The following Wednesday 46,988 watched a match that was acclaimed the “game of the year.” Playing again in heavy conditions, the Blues were leading 3-0 within thirty minutes thanks to a Bob Stokeo own goal, an excellent header from the reliable Bobby Johnstone, and a minute later a Paddy Fagan effort from a fine through pass by McAdams. Newcastle appeared dead and buried, but the game was far from over.
Three minutes into the second half Newcastle fought back with a penalty from Tommy Casey. Sixteen minutes from time Alex Tait brought Newcastle’s tally to two, then with the pressure on City’s goal increasing the Geordies seemed destined to find the equaliser. Sure enough, with only five minutes remaining, Newcastle levelled via a Bill Curry header. According to Newcastle based reporters even the City fans applauded!
City had now lost the initiative. The match went into extra time and the Newcastle supporters began singing the “Blaydon Races.” The game appeared to be Newcastle’s, but with typical City unpredictability the Blues took the lead again. Bobby Johnstone netting his second of the game and third of the tie.
Despite the goal, Newcastle managed to regain control and Len White scored twice to end City’s hopes of a decent cup run. For Newcastle this has been recorded as “arguably the club’s most thrilling encounter.” The Big Book Of Football Champions even claimed that this “stirring battle of the giants” ensured the FA Cup remained “the greatest sporting competition in the world.”\
You can watch highlights here:
https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/61312/
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