HIGHLIGHTS OF GAME - ARSENAL LEFT TO RIGHT IN FIRST HALF, IN DARK JERSEYS (NATURAL SOF).




Initials IF/V/BOB/SGM


SPORT: FOOTBALL
EDITORS: THIS FILM IS FOR USE IN SCHEDULED NEWS PROGRAMMES ONLY.

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: LEEDS UNITED, HOT FAVOURITES FOR THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP FINAL, LIVED UP TO THEIR PROMISE AT WEMBLEY, LONDON TODAY (2 MARCH) WHEN THEY SWEPT THROUGH THEIR LONDON OPPONENTS ARSENAL TO CAPTURE A 1-0 VICTORY. A CAPACITY CROWD OF 100,000 GATHERED UNDER OVERCAST SKIES TO WATCH THE GAME.

THE WINNING GOAL CAME IN THE 18TH MINUTE, FOLLOWING A CORNER ON THE RIGHT. TERRY COOPER, THE LEFT-BACK, WHOM LEEDS HAD WANTED TO TRANSFER EARLIER IN THE SEASON, VOLLEYED IN A TREMENDOUS DRIVE FROM 12 YARDS (METRES) WHICH GAVE ARSENAL'S GOALKEEPER JIM FURNELL LITTLE CHANCE TO RETALIATE.

COOPER'S DRIVE WAS IN FACT THE ONLY REAL SHOT THAT LEEDS FIRED AT THE GOAL THROUGHOUT THE MATCH. BUT THEY PLAYED WITH SUPREME CONFIDENCE, ALLOWING THE LONDONERS TO DO MOST OF THE ATTACKING, AND REPULSING THEM WITH COMPARATIVE EASE. ARSENAL FORCED EIGHT CORNERS TO ONLY THREE BY LEEDS, BUT THE ARSENAL FINISHING WAS EXTREMELY WEAK, AND GARRY SPRAKE IN THE LEEDS GOAL WAS NEVER REALLY TESTED.

APART FROM THE SOLITARY GOAL, SUPPORTERS WERE LITTLE DEPRIVED OF PURPOSEFUL ACTION. A MISUNDERSTANDING IN THE LEEDS GOALMOUTH ADDED A TOUCH OF 'LIFE' JUST BEFORE HALF-TIME. AS ARSENAL FOUGHT FOR AN EQUALISER, THE LEEDS GOALKEEPER WAS CHARGED BY FRANK MCLINTOCK, SPARKING A MINOR MELEE.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS. LEEDS HAVE BEEN ON THE BRINK OF ACHIEVING TOP SOCCER HONOURS, BUT THIS WAS THEIR FIRST TRIUMPH IN MAJOR COMPETITION. THEY BECOME THE FIRST NORTH OF ENGLAND SIDE TO WIN THE LEAGUE CUP, AND ARE WELL-PLACED TO ACHIEVE A NOTABLE CUP 'DOUBLE' AS THEY ARE FAVOURITES TO WIN THE F.A. CUP. ARSENAL HAVE NOT WON A MAJOR TROPHY 15 YEARS.