The English Cups. Cups are cups – different ‘logic’. It is always amusing to see lowly clubs playing great in cup tournaments and the Football League Cup supplied exactly that: Norwich City and Sunderland reached the final. That is, the team which finished 20th and 21st in the championship and were relegated. Well, at least they were equal opponents. In front of 100 000 fans they fought greatly and Norwich prevailed by a single goal, scored not even by their player, but own goal by Sunderland’s Chisholm. 1-0 and the Cup was theirs.
Disappointment for Sunderland, surely, but they were weak this season, weaker even than Norwich. Poor Chisholm.
Norwich City was happy indeed – trophies is something they lack. Relegation after this success was not all that tragic. Mike Channon was still a winner – always good to see a veteran, slipping out of mind already, to win. A victory leading them out of resignation, so the next season would be driven by ambition. Perhaps.
The FA Cup was just the opposite of the League Cup final: two of the finest and most ambitious clashed. Everton, looking for a double, vs Manchester United, eager to win something. In the semis, Manchester United eliminated Liverpool! Again, it was a battle of equals, tough and unpredictable, decided by single goal. Manchester United managed to score – Norman Whiteside did it – and won.
When equals play, it is unfair to say one was weaker – it was more a matter of luck than anything. Everton lost and if there was anything to point out about them, it could be that the team was not yet at its peak. A double did not happened, but so what? The future was theirs.
Manchester United was happy to win the Cup, it was a bit of relieve, but also a consolation prize. Besting the strongest team this year was great, but a cup is not a title and Manchester United desperately needed a title. May be this victory would help fueling the next season? Unfortunately, European season was not going to be.