Leeds United take on Tottenham Hotspur away from home this weekend. Ben Scott takes a look back at a classic encounter on the road for the Whites, on Wednesday 19th August, 1970.
The 1970/71 season fixture list “gifted” Don Revie’s Leeds United with a brace of opening away games, first at Manchester United and then at White Hart Lane, home of Tottenham Hotspur – a side managed by Bill Nicholson.
Despite the tough start, the Whites got the maximum return from the games… and without conceding! Scarborough-born Nicholson, a former Spurs player, would see his side defeated by Middlesbrough-born Revie - who, of course, was also a one-time Leeds player.
The home fans first thought that they would be celebrating a goal when they attacked with Jimmy Pearce hitting in a good delivery, but recipient Alan Mullery’s header wasn’t as accurate as the cross was.
The half then saw the each team toy tactically with one another, which was a most natural option given the quality of both sides and the experience Nicholson and Revie had in the game.
After a long period of coy, attacking play combined with savvy defending, Leeds’ talented midfield gem Johnny Giles unleashed a good shot but wasn’t able to open the scoring.
The half-time break was fast approaching as again Giles got involved, threatening the Tottenham back line. He wasn’t shooting this time, though, he was crossing for Peter Lorimer who met it with a dangerous header, but Mike England quickly and bravely headed the ball away.
After the second half had started, Spurs tried quickly impacting themselves on matters as Ray Evans and Alan Gilzean had shots – neither with enough quality to warrant a goal.
The game’s next big move came through the aces of Revie’s Leeds and opened the scoring. Eddie Gray was the goal-getter, but he owed gratitude to a pair of his team-mates in Mick Jones and captain Billy Bremner.
Jones had neatly controlled the ball and brought Bremner into the attack. Billy then fed a through ball that players like Gray dreamt of latching on to. Gray's shot evaded a few Spurs players along with goalie Pat Jennings and the ball flew in, via the framework of the goalpost.
As the match entered into its final stage, Leeds’ lead doubled. Giles was once again influential in opening up the opposition. He faced a poor clearance, which left him with the opportunity to shoot from 18 yards and with his usual demeanour, and often vision, he buried the ball in the back of Jennings’ net.
That made it six unbeaten for United against Tottenham and earned them a hard-fought victory, which helped them finish 12 points and one place above their North London hosts, as Leeds became league runners-up again and also lifted a trophy in the Inter-cities Fairs Cup.
