SOCCER CUP FINAL Spurs’ Fifth Success

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31375, 22 May 1967, Page 3

SOCCER CUP FINAL Spurs’ Fifth Success

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

LONDON.

Tottenham Hotspur won the first all-London English Football Association Cup final when it beat Chelsea, 2-1, at Wembley on Saturday.

This win puts Tottenham in the European Cup - Winners’ Cup competition next season a trophy it won in 1963.

Tottenham won an entertaining match with goals by the right wing, J. Robertson (44 minutes) and the outsideleft, F. Saul (67 minutes). R. Tambling scored for Chelsea four minutes from time. The 100,000 capacity crowd, who had paid a record £109,649, cheered Spurs to their fifth cup victory in five final appearances, and their third success in six years. WORTHY WINNERS Spurs were worthy winners, although the game never really reached classic heights. This could probably be blamed on a torrential downpour shortly before the start which made the surface slippery. Both teams managed to control the ball well and some of the passing and midfield work was a pleasure to wateh.

The match was a triumph for the Tottenham captain, D. Mackay, who led his team to victory after twice breaking a leg. For the Chelsea captain, R. Harris, the youngest player ever to lead his team in a cup final, it was a day of disappointment. Chelsea won the toss and kicked with the wind and sun —the rain had ceased by this time—at their backs. Both teams quickly settled down and there was hope of great things from the London rivals.

The England player, J. Greaves, who played in Tottenham’s last cup success against Burnley in 1962, was well held, but he did shave the crossbar with shots in the fifteenth and thirty-first minutes. FIRST-TIME SHOT

Chelsea had few opportunities of getting in scoring shots, and the Spurs scored first. A. Mullery, their left-half, tried a spectacular spot which struck

Harris. The ball rebounded to Robertson on the edge of the penalty area and the Scottish right-winger hit it first time, giving P. Bonetti no chance. In the second half, Chelsea was more deliberate in its build-up, while the Spurs attacks were more incisive. Tottenham gradually got bn top and stunned Chelsea with another goal, by Saul. Mackay, on the left, took a long throw which Robertson flicked on and found Saul just clear of the defence about 12 yards out. He pivoted and hit the ball first time. Chelsea threw everything in attack in the last 10 minutes and Tambling reduced the arrears. J. Boyle, Chelsea’s left-winger, centred from the left and Tambling, stooping low, headed the ball home. Chelsea continued to make a great fight of it, but it was not to be the club’s day.