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Johan Cruyff on the Sunderland/Leeds FA Cup final of 1973
“Sunderland v Leeds today, following West Ham v Fulham yesterday,” notes Justin Kavanagh. “The Prem has served us up two mid-70s FA Cup Finals this weekend. In appreciation, I’ve dug out my brown suit with the flared pants, wide-collared yellow polyester shirt, and short paisley tie in eye-popping lime green and purple; I’ve also fired up the fondue fountain and the Bass Ale and Blue Nun are on ice. And they say nostalgia is crack cocaine for old people!”
I’m ’avin ’oops.
Team news
Dennis Cirkin replaces the injured Dan Ballard in the only change from Sunderland’s 0-0 draw at Brighton. It’s Cirkin’s Premier League debut.
Leeds – surprise, surprise – stick with the XI that hammered Crystal Palace 4-1 on Saturday.
Sunderland (possible 4-2-3-1) Roefs; Mukiele, Cirkin, Alderete, Geertruida; Hume, Xhaka; Rigg, Le Fee, Adingra; Brobbey.
Subs: Patterson, Tutierov, J Jones, Hjelde, H Jones, Neil, Mundle, Mayenda.
Leeds (3-3-2-2) Perri; Rodon, Bijol, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Aaronson, Stach; Calvert-Lewin, Okafor.
Subs: Darlow, Justin, Bornaut, Harrison, Tanaka, Gruev, Gnonto, Piroe, Nmecha.
Referee Tony Harrington.
Preamble
Hello, merry betwixtmas (sic) and welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of Sunderland v Leeds at the Stadium of Light. Nothing sleepy about these giants, who have given the kiss of life to the concept of promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
Sunderland are arguably the team of the season so far and will go fifth – fifth! – if they win today. Leeds may be in a relegation battle but they are full of the joys after a superb recent run of eight points in four games. Three of those games were at home, albeit to very good opposition, so Leeds’ challenge is to prove they can do it on a wet, windy day somewhere other than Elland Road.
If they do that over the next couple of months, survival will be a doddle.
Kick off 2pm.
