The sixth round of the FA Cup had draw both Sheffield United and Norwich City together in this old fixture on 28th March 1957. VitalBlades recall this epic cup-tie ahead of today’s Premier League clash.
Second Division Sheffield United made it to the sixth round after beating Crystal Palace and Worcester City (both 2-0), and beating Arsenal 3-0 in a replay, after a 1-1 draw at the old Highbury Stadium.
The run itself was a remarkable run for the Canaries who were a Third Division side at the time. Much like United’s feat in 2013-14, the Norfolk club had beaten Ilford (3-1), Swindon Town (1-0) in a replay, Manchester United (3-0), Cardiff City (3-2), and Tottenham Hotspur (1-0), before drawing the Blades.
It was United who opened the scoring as early as two minutes into the match as Billy Russell’s effort from outside the box looped over the City keeper and into the net. For the hosts, it was a game of too few opportunities as the visitors wasted several chances with Blades’ stopper Alan Hodgkinson being made to work for his money.
United had come into this fixture with just two defeats in their last 17 matches and held an even more impressive record of having not conceded a goal on home soil since 27 December. This included a 1-0 victory over City rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
The score held in United’s favour at the break, and when Nethercott, the City keeper dislocated his shoulder under a challenge from Hamilton on the hour mark, a home win looked sure on the cards. Despite injury the keeper played on and with 15 minutes remaining a loose ball ran across the face of United’s goal, and with nobody to stop him, Crossan calmly slotted the ball home from close range; 1-1.
In the replay at Carrow Road, Norwich City was victorious, beating the Blades 3-2 and went onto lose 1-0 to Luton Town in a semi-final replay. The cup that year was won by Nottingham Forest.