1973 FA Cup final

Event	1972–73 FA Cup
Leeds United Sunderland 0 1
Date	5 May 1973
Venue	Wembley Stadium, London
Referee	Ken Burns
Attendance	100,000
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The 1973 FA Cup final was the 92nd final of the FA Cup. It took place on 5 May 1973 at Wembley Stadium and was contested between Leeds United, the previous season's winners and one of the dominant teams in English football at the time, and Sunderland, then playing in the Second Division.

In one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition, Sunderland won 1–0 to become the first Second Division side to lift the Cup since West Bromwich Albion in 1931. It was Sunderland's last Cup win for almost 50 years until the team won the EFL Trophy in 2021 and their last domestic trophy win as of 2024. Sunderland's team were the only FA Cup winners of the 20th century not to field any full internationals,^{[citation needed]} although some of their players were capped later.

Sunderland established their tactics immediately from the kick-off and refused to be intimidated by their more illustrious opponents, tackling fiercely and defiantly with an unremitting determination. Leeds looked anxious, lacking their usual composure. The match itself was decided by two crucial moments that would be talked about for years to come.

After 32 minutes Sunderland took the lead when Vic Halom chested down a corner from Billy Hughes. Assisted by Dave Watson between two defenders, the deflected high ball was controlled by Ian Porterfield who shot home from 12 yards. Leeds, shocked, battled back with predictable determination. Sunderland's goalkeeper Jimmy Montgomery was outstanding, defying Leeds with a string of fine saves and preserving his team's lead.

The turning point of the match came midway through the second half. Montgomery dived to palm away a close range header from Trevor Cherry. It fell into the path of Lorimer who blasted goalward from 10 yards but Montgomery managed to divert the ball on to the underside of the bar and Malone scrambled the ball clear. The save is considered one of the greatest of all time and has been compared with that made by England's Gordon Banks in the 1970 FIFA World Cup match against Brazil.^[1][2]

The North East team survived more pressure from Leeds to secure a notable upset.^[3]

The 1973 showpiece is the last FA Cup final to be played with an orange ball.

Sunderland's FA Cup record, "Sunderland All the Way", was recorded by comedian Bobby Knoxall.^[4]

5 May 1973
15:00 BST

Leeds United	0–1	Sunderland
	(Report)	Porterfield 32'

Wembley, London

Attendance: 100,000

Referee: Ken Burns, Stourbridge

Leeds United

Sunderland

GK 1 David Harvey DF 2 Paul Reaney DF 3 Trevor Cherry MF 4 Billy Bremner (c) DF 5 Paul Madeley DF 6 Norman Hunter FW 7 Peter Lorimer FW 8 Allan Clarke FW 9 Mick Jones MF 10 Johnny Giles MF 11 Eddie Gray  75' Substitute: MF 12 Terry Yorath  75' Manager: Don Revie

GK 1 Jimmy Montgomery RB 2 Dick Malone LB 3 Ron Guthrie CM 4 Micky Horswill CB 5 David Watson CB 6 Richie Pitt RCM 7 Bobby Kerr (c) RW 8 Billy Hughes ST 9 Vic Halom LCM 10 Ian Porterfield LW 11 Dennis Tueart Substitute: CB 12 David Young Manager: Bob Stokoe

Wikimedia Commons has media related to FA Cup Final 1973.

• Game facts at soccerbase.com
• Match report in "Daily Telegraph"