BY STEVE MITCHELL
After last weekend’s severely affected FA Cup fourth-round schedule, it was time to play catch up this week with five of the ties called off from Saturday, taking place this week.
PALACE UPSET BRISTOL CITY AT SELHURT PARK:
The action got under way in spectacular style at Selhurst Park on Monday evening, as Second Division Crystal Palace easily disposed of top-flight Bristol City 3-0 in front of over 20,000 spectators. Peter Nicholas, Terry Fenwick and Steve Kember did the damage for the Eagles.
Palace now await a home tie in round five with the winners of Wolves v Newcastle United, who still have to replay after last weekend’s 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park.
UNITED HELD BY FULHAM AT THE COTTAGE:
Manchester United will also have to replay after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fulham at Craven Cottage last night. Jimmy Greenhoff put the Red Devils ahead in the first-half with a sublime volley.
The Second Division side fought back after the interval however, with midfielder John Margerrison getting on the end of a superb cross from Terry Bullivant, to ensure that the west London side would earn a lucrative replay at Old Trafford.
It’s already been a huge pay-day for the Cottagers, with last night’s attendance of 25,229 producing record receipts of £44,763.00.
HOLDERS THROUGH AT SECOND ATTEMPT AGAINST ORIENT:
Holders Ipswich Town finally came through in their fourth-round replay with Orient at Brisbane Road. A brace from England striker Paul Mariner saw Bobby Robson’s men into round five where they await the winners of Bristol Rovers v Charlton Athletic.
Embed from Getty ImagesLATE DALGLISH GOAL BREAKS BLACKBURN HEARTS:
A late second-half goal from Kenny Dalglish was enough for league leaders Liverpool to see off plucky Blackburn Rovers at Anfield on Tuesday.
The Third Division side can be proud of their performance, as they came within eight minutes of forcing a replay at Ewood Park before the Scotland international volleyed home a Jimmy Case cross, to bring relief all around the famous old stadium.
After the match Liverpool boss Bob Paisley confirmed that Israeli defender Avi Cohen is heading to Anfield for a trial, looking to secure a surprise move Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Embed from Getty ImagesRovers skipper Derek Fazackerley was proud of his team-mates afterwards, as he stated that; “Liverpool found it difficult to hit their rhythm against us. I don’t think they played to their full potential and on the day, they were disappointing but take nothing away from them, they are a great side.â€
Liverpool now have another home tie in round five against either Burnley or Sunderland who have yet to face each other at Turf Moor.
THE SHOTS ARE BANG ON TARGET AGAINST SWINDON:
Fourth Division Aldershot are celebrating after a 2-1 win against Swindon Town at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday. A first-half double from striker John Dungworth, ensured a home tie against giant killing Shrewsbury Town, who shocked Manchester City last weekend.
NEWPORT & COLCHESTER DREAMING OF A TRIP TO OLD TRAFFORD:
Another Fourth Division side, Newport County, lives to fight another day after a goalless draw against Third Division Colchester United at Somerton Park on Tuesday. The prize for the winners of this tie could be a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in round five, should the Red Devils beat Fulham in their replay.
FA CUP FOURTH ROUND RESULTS:
MONDAY JANUARY 29:
Crystal Palace 3-0 Bristol City (Nicholas, Fenwick, Kember)
TUESDAY JANUARY 30:
Aldershot 2-1 Swindon Town (Dungworth 2; Rowland)
Liverpool 1-0 Blackburn Rovers (Dalglish)
Newport County 0-0 Colchester United
FOURTH ROUND REPLAY:
Orient 0-2 Ipswich Town (Mariner 2)
POSTPONED MATCHES:
Bristol Rovers v Charlton Athletic
Oldham Athletic v Leicester City
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31:
Fulham 1-1 Manchester United (Margerrison; Greenhoff J)
LATE NIGHT PINK, FIRST DIVISION ROUND-UP:
Two matches also took place in the top-flight last night. Everton’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Goodison Park ensured that The Toffees leapfrogged their city rivals Liverpool, to share top spot with West Bromwich Albion. Dave Thomas got the home side’s goal with Gary Shelton replying for the visitors.
It was honours even at Carrow Road too as Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers played out a 1-1 draw. Midfielder Ian Davies gave the hosts the lead with England international Gerry Francis levelling for Rangers in the second-half.
FIRST DIVISION RESULTS WEDNESDAY JANUARY 31:
Everton 1-1 Aston Villa (DOWNLOAD MATCH PROGRAMME BELOW)
Norwich City 1-1 Q.P.R
POSTPONED MATCHES:
W.B.A V Derby County
League Division One table after close of play on 31 January 1979
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Bromwich Albion | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 47 | 20 | 27 | 34 |
| 2 | Everton | 23 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 33 | 17 | 16 | 34 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 21 | 15 | 3 | 3 | 47 | 9 | 38 | 33 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 23 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 41 | 21 | 20 | 31 |
| 5 | Leeds United | 25 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 47 | 32 | 15 | 29 |
| 6 | Nottingham Forest | 21 | 8 | 11 | 2 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 27 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 25 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 26 | 4 | 26 |
| 8 | Coventry City | 22 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 29 | 35 | -6 | 25 |
| 9 | Tottenham Hotspur | 24 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 25 |
| 10 | Aston Villa | 22 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 27 | 20 | 7 | 24 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 22 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 32 | 39 | -7 | 24 |
| 12 | Ipswich Town | 23 | 9 | 3 | 11 | 32 | 31 | 1 | 21 |
| 13 | Norwich City | 21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 32 | 32 | 0 | 20 |
| 14 | Southampton | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 25 | 30 | -5 | 20 |
| 15 | Manchester City | 23 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 30 | 30 | 0 | 19 |
| 16 | Derby County | 22 | 7 | 5 | 10 | 26 | 40 | -14 | 19 |
| 17 | Middlesbrough | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 31 | 32 | -1 | 17 |
| 18 | Bolton Wanderers | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 29 | 41 | -12 | 17 |
| 19 | Queens Park Rangers | 23 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 20 | 32 | -12 | 17 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 23 | 6 | 2 | 15 | 20 | 43 | -23 | 14 |
| 21 | Chelsea | 23 | 3 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 50 | -25 | 12 |
| 22 | Birmingham City | 22 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 20 | 39 | -19 | 8 |
STOP PRESS: LEAGUE CUP SEMI-FINALS SECOND-LEGS:
This seasons League Cup Final will be contested between Nottingham Forest and Southampton after Tuesday night’s semi-final second legs.
The Saints narrowly edged out Leeds United 3-2 on aggregate, after Terry Curran’s goal at The Dell decided the contest.
It was far more straight-forward for the holders, who overcame Watford 3-1 on aggregate. Forest’s 3-1 win at the City Ground in the first-leg gave the Hornets a mountain to climb at Vicarage Road, and the Second-Division side failed to trouble the scoreboard in a goalless draw.
The final takes place at Wembley Stadium on March 17.
FOLLOW THE WHOLE 1978-79 SEASON IN THE ENGLISH FIRST DIVISION WITH STEVE MITCHELL HERE ON THE FOOTBALL PINK. FOLLOW HIM ON TWITTER @barafundler
PROGRAMMES COURTESY OF MILES MCCLAGAN https://www.flickr.com/photos/114058793@N05/sets
