1952 Cup Final - Postscript

The Winning Formula

Newcastle had become the first club to the win the FA Cup two years in succession during the C20th, but the victory was tarnished by the early injury to Barnes.

So although United deservedly drew acclaim for their tremendous achievement most of the plaudits went to the losers who had put up such a magnificent rearguard action.

Newcastle failed to produce anything like their top form and their overall play and inaccurate shooting was as great a surprise as it was a disappointment. Only Mitchell and Milburn played anything like their true selves.

Indeed United's best performers were all from the back line: Harvey, Cowell, Brennan and McMichael.

But rather than criticise the Newcastle performance most people sought to praise the herculean efforts of the Arsenal players who almost nullified the most feared strikeforce in the game.

Post Match Reaction

Joe Harvey

"It's often more difficult to play against 10 desperate men than a full team." His biggest thrill was to have "licked the pants" off Joe Mercer.

Tom Whittaker (Arsenal manager)

"I'm only grateful to my ten boys, who played the greatest defensive game I have ever seen"

Mrs Robledo

"Aren't my boys wonderful?"

Stan Seymour

"We won the Cup but Arsenal won the honours"

Jackie Milburn

"We are pleased to have won but what a pity it was against ten men. We had eight or nine good chances and I thought we'd never score"

George Robledo

"Arsenal were great, but sometimes the team with ten men become more inspired than their opponents at full strength"

George Swindin

"I thought the play should have been stopped when Roper was injured. He was down on the ground for some time before the goal was scored"

Referee Arthur Ellis

"I saw Roper was down but I did not think his injury was serious enough for me to stop the play"