Rob Smyth has all the details in this afternoon’s edition of your super soaraway Clockwatch. Here’s how the table looks as a result.
Aston Villa won the former 2-0, denying Newcastle a league-and-cup double, while Newcastle repaid the favour by exactly the same scoreline 19 years later. No real reason to mention either of those games, other than an excuse to rummage around the Observer archive, because, well, y’know. Here’s a splash of colour from the latter affair, played exactly 100 years and 51 weeks ago today.
“Newcastle United won the Football Association Cup for the second time by defeating Aston Villa by two goals to none. Billy Cowan and Stan Seymour scored the two goals in just over a minute, but the losing team had eighty percent of the play throughout.
“From an early hour yesterday morning the neighbourhood of King’s Cross and Euston was crowded with thousands of men and women who, it was obvious from their accent, had come either from Newcastle or Birmingham to witness the match. The trains began to arrive from Newcastle at King’s Cross as early as 2.55 in the morning. Fortunately a considerable amount of accommodation was available in the waiting rooms, while many of the enthusiasts found the seats on the platforms handy for a nap.
“From an early hour all roads seemed to lead to the stadium. The visitors from the North, as well as thousands of Londoners interested in the great contest, travelled by charabanc, by bus and by train … there was none of the disorder which occurred at the entrance to the stadium last year.
“Cup football is notoriously sensational, but to describe yesterday’s final as unusually dramatic can convey but slightly to those who were not there the scene which prevailed when, a few minutes from time, a lightning Newcastle raid led to a goal – and the extinguishing of Aston Villa.
“In a sweeping dash, the Newcastle forwards suddenly found a way past the men who hitherto had valiantly baulked them. Cowan scored. A half-minute later and the Villa should have equalised. Straight back bore the men from the North, and Seymour, slipping past a defence which had not recovered from a stunning blow, again had the ball in the net. The first goal, however, had settled the match, which will go down in football history as the game which saw the winners play a reserve goalkeeper (Bill Bradley) whose sterling work paved the way for his side’s triumph.”
Premier League on Wednesday, so name exactly the same starting XI.
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Asensio, Rogers, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Disasi, Barkley, Rashford, Digne, Garcia, Malen, Onana, Ramsey.
Newcastle United: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Isak, Barnes.
Subs: Dubravka, Wilson, Gordon, Targett, Krafth, Osula, Willock, Longstaff, Miley.
Both of these famous old clubs really enjoyed their recent taste of Champions League football; both of these famous old clubs fancy some more. It’s third versus seventh with five points between them and fifth place at the very least the goal. And if that doesn’t whet the appetite enough, Villa have won nine of their last ten in all competitions, while Newcastle are on a six-game winning tear that includes the claiming of their first domestic trophy in 70 years. This promises to be a cracker. Buckle up! Or buckle in. Probably best to do both. Kick-off is at 5.30pm BST. It’s on!
Source: theguardian.com
