Leeds United 5, Manchester United 1

Feb 19, 1972

Leeds United: Sprake, Madeley, Cooper, Bremner, Charlton, Hunter, Lorimer, Clarke, Jones, Giles, Gray. Sub: Jordan.

Manchester United: Stepney, O'Neil, Dunne, Burns, James, Sadler, Morgan, Kidd, Charlton, Gowling, Best. Sub: McIlroy

Att: 45,000

Memories are made of results like that which occurred in February 1972 when Don Revie's side were at the height of their powers. The manager's confidence before the game was underlined when he took the unusual step of naming his team the day before the game rather than keeping everything under wraps.

On a personal level the game was a triumph for striker Mick Jones who bagged three of the goals to record his first ever League hat-trick. It was particularly satisfying for Jones because he had been dogged by injury and had managed only two goals in 12 previous league appearances that season.

His performance in this game against the Reds capped a devastating team display, particularly in the second half, when all the goals were scored.

Confident Leeds took the lead three minutes into the second half when Jones found the net and he was instrumental in giving Leeds a two goal lead six minutes later when he shot and saw the ball fly into the net off fellow striker Allan Clarke.

Jones was one of the most unselfish centre forwards there has been and it was in a dressing room chat that Clarke was credited with the second goal. But Jones could not be kept out of the scoring act for long and after Francis Burns had pulled a goal back for the Reds in the 57th minute Jones put the issue beyond doubt with further goals in the 58th and 62nd minutes

Peter Lorimer rubbed salt into an already gaping Manchester wound with a fifth several minutes later as the Reds, despite the presence of such players as George Best, Bobby Charlton and Alan Gowling, found Revie's side too hot to handle.

Although the Reds went into the game without win in eight games, earlier in the season they had looked down on the rest of the division from top spot with a five-point lead over their nearest rivals.

But I could not recall having seen a Manchester United team quite so outclassed and outplayed as Frank O'Farrell's side was on this occasion, yet in fairness it had to be said that few sides would have had much chance of surviving against a Leeds outfit in such a lethal mood.

No one was more lethal than Mick Jones - a point that his attacking partner was quick to emphasise. "I was absolutely delighted when Mick hit his third goal, although I didn't know until after the game that it was his first League hat-trick," Clarke said.

"He's been playing well but things hadn't gone all that well for him, what with injuries, illness and bad luck with his shooting but the hat-trick should do him the world of good.

"He's come in for a lot of criticism by the fans and critics during his lean spell. Now I hope he's silenced them. He a wonderful professional - hard working, cheerful, uncomplaining and I can't count the number of goals I owe to his willingness to fight for what looked like a lost cause," Clarke added.

Don Warters

Leeds United Press Officer and former soccer correspondent of the Yorkshire Evening Post