1952 FA Cup Final
The Match
First Half
Morning rain had made the pitch quite greasy which should have favoured United's pacy forwards and quick passing style. The fans sung popular songs before the game to the accompaniment of the Grenadier Guards Band before the teams were introduced to prime minister Winston Churchill.
As they stood with referee Arthur "It's a Knockout" Ellis, captains Joe Harvey and Joe Mercer shared a few words; the Arsenal man had been Joe's Sergeant Major during the war.
Arsenal make a much better start then United. Their play is cool and confident and during the first quarter of an hour wave after wave of attack descends on the United citadel. Under extreme pressure United are forced to defend frantically.
After only two minutes an overhead kick by Lishman goes just past the angle of bar and upright and soon after Logie just fails to get on the end of a Cox cross.
United are struggling to get their game going with the forwards in particular showing "a lack of method" and the only real effort on goal is from Milburn who is only inches wide with a flashing drive.
After 18 minutes comes the incident that changes the whole game as Arsenal's left back Barnes damages his knee ligaments attempting to ward off Milburn. He struggles on.
A couple of minutes later Logie shoots wide after being put clean through by Mercer as Arsenal continue to look the more likely scorers. But Barnes is struggling and after more treatment and some heavy bandaging he exchanges positions with right-winger Roper.
Newcastle now gain the initiative with Milburn and Robledo pushing on and the United backs pumping the ball into the opposition area. Mitchell and Milburn both go close before Smith heads another effort from Jackie off the line.
Barnes eventually has to leave the field for good and ten minutes later the half is over.
It certainly hadn't been a great first half although Arsenal deserved credit for preventing a score despite playing for almost half an hour with effectively only ten men. Newcastle were guilty of running with the ball too much and therefore not making best use of the extra man.
Second Half
Joe Harvey is furious with the side's performance and gives them a half-time tongue lashing. He accuses them of feeling sorry for the Londoners and warned them that they'd be feeling a lot more sorry if he didn't get his hands on the Cup again. The players also talked of getting the ball out to Mitchell more to exploit the absence of Barnes.
United up the tempo in the Second Half and not surprisingly do the vast majority of attacking, but they still struggle to make their numerical advantage count. The Gooners, with captain Mercer inspired, thwart everything that The Magpies throw at them.
The Magpies race around but can't find a way through with The Gunners defending magnificently. There is plenty of pace about United but they lack the midfield playmaker to unlock the Arsenal defence. Meanwhile Arsenal remain dangerous on the break with Lishman having a superb game at inside-right.
The pressure gradually begins to build as United swarm around the Arsenal goal, but both Milburn and Mitchell fail to get their strikes on target. At the other end Logie breaks away and sets up a great chance for Lishman which he just fails to take.
Then, with only six minutes remaining and a replay looking on the cards Newcastle finally breach Arsenal's "iron curtain". Mitchell weaves his way down the left and crosses superbly to Robledo at the far-post who heads in off the woodwork.
There is an element of controversy about the goal because Roper was lying injured in the penalty area "D" throughout the move. Some Arsenal players later stated that they thought the referee should have stopped play but the general consensus was that Ellis was right to play on. These were the days when play continued unless the injury was virtually life threatening.
The Geordie contingent are now in full song with the "Blaydon Races" reverberating around the stadium..
Arsenal try to hit straight back and a Roper free-kick causes momentary panic in the United area. Referee Arthur Ellis awards three minutes "injury time" but The Gunners last desperate efforts are in vain.