On this day in 1984, a Clive Walker hat trick saw 10-man Sunderland defeat Manchester United at home...
Ron Atkinson’s side were favourites to win the league, and were sitting at second in the table prior to their visit to Roker Park.
Sunderland had the first chance of the game, as United keeper Gary Bailey was penalised on the edge of the box. The free kick was laid off to Barry Venison, who blazed his effort over the bar.
The Red Devils responded immediately with a free kick of their own, which was headed out of the box by Gordon Chisholm. However, the ball was quickly worked back into the danger area, where United legend Norman Whiteside smashed his shot off the crossbar from just six yards out!
With thirteen minutes played, Man United went ahead through Bryan Robson. The midfielder picked the ball up on the edge of the box and took a speculative effort which seemed rather tame. However, it crept into Chris Turners bottom left-hand corner and into the back of the net.
A quickfire second from United looked to have the game won, as Mark Hughes scored just two minutes later. Whiteside played the Welshman through on goal and a clinical finish left Turner with no chance, although Hughes was arguably offside.
Clive Walker instantly halved the deficit though, latching onto Colin West’s header and beating Bailey with ease.
The two sides came to blows when Hughes and David Hodgson collided, with the referee sending both players off. All of this happened within 18 minutes of kick-off!
United found the back of the net for the third time, with a quick free kick finding Mike Duxbury, but fortunately the whistle had already been blown.
Gary Bennet then found himself through on goal, and was taken out by Bailey in the box. Walker smashed the penalty to the keeper’s left, although Bailey got a hand to the ball.
Just moments later, Stan Cummins was taken out by Gordon McQueen and Sunderland had another penalty! Walker stepped up and completed his first-half hat trick, aiming for the same side as his first spot kick.
Bizarrely, all five goals came in the first half with the second remaining goalless. It didn’t quite reach the standard set by the first 45 minutes, although Sunderland fans weren’t complaining as they hung on to a famous win.
