OTD: SAFC 1-0 SPURS (1984)

On this day in 1984, Tottenham Hotspur received two red cards and gave away a penalty as Sunderland earned the win despite their injury woes.

Spurs were certainly the favourites going into this one. Manager Len Ashurst was without several key players: Ian Atkins, Gordon Chisholm, Howard Gayle, Mark Proctor plus youngster David Corner. This injury crisis meant a lot of supporters would have taken a draw before a ball was kicked.

Therefore, Gary Bennett was brought in at centre back despite Ashurst saying he was only 70% fit, with debutant Peter Daniel being thrown into midfield without a proper pre-season in his legs. The homegrown Paul Lemon was our single substitute, his first appearance on the bench at a young age, although he remained unused on this day.

Spurs started well and showed their quality early on, with Gary Stevens missing their biggest chance when he dispossessed Colin West but blasted his shot over the bar. The Lads put their bodies on the line and did well to battle hard against some of Tottenham’s tough tackling. Just before half time, England international defender Graham Roberts was involved in an off-the-ball incident with West. Roberts was sent off for punching our forward in the face. After the match, Roberts claimed he’d been provoked and used his own facial injuries as evidence.

Sunderland upped the pressure with the extra man advantage and after 80 minutes had the perfect chance to take the lead. New signing from Portsmouth Steve Berry burst into the box and was taken out by goalkeeper Ray Clemence. Referee Roger Dilkes immediately pointed to the spot and Colin West stepped up. It was a thunderous penalty, high into the middle of the goal, to give us the lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Londoners ended the match with nine men, completely losing any sense of discipline. Clive Allen, who had already seen yellow for dissent, was sent off for an incredibly late challenge on Chris Turner after our keeper had already picked the ball up. Remember, this was the mid-80s when a card of any colour was rare in football - and Spurs ended with two reds and two further yellows!

This would go on to be an interesting yet deflating season for Sunderland in many ways. We would defeat Tottenham again, this time in the Milk Cup, on our tremendous cup run. However, 84/85 ended in disappointing fashion, with supporters experiencing a Wembley defeat and eventually relegation following an alarming dip in form. Never a dull moment at Sunderland football club.