the robson years

With 5,000 spectators outside, the kick off was delayed by 15 minutes. This seemed to unsettle Ipswich who then conceded a controversial penalty for Russell Osman's aerial challenge on Paul Hart. When Carl Harris added a brilliant second, attacking at pace down the left cutting inside and curling a spectacular effort inside the far post, Leeds grew in confidence. John Lukic made a great save from Eric Gates and Town missed a couple of good chances, but overall Leeds deserved their win. More

An eventful and entertaining match was not as one-sided as the score suggests. Town looked rather jaded in the early stages but Arnold Muhren's magic turned the game. He equalised with a superb free kick and his pinpoint corner gave Paul Mariner the chance to put Town ahead. Joe Hinnigan was a little unlucky to be sent off in the final minute for striking Kevin O'Callaghan, and from the ensuing free kick O'Callaghan broke clear to cross for Frans Thijssen to complete the scoring. More

Town suffered their first defeat in 21 matches on an Old Trafford mud-heap. The match was in doubt until two hours before kick off, but it provided excellent entertainment for the big crowd. United deserved the points, secured by Jimmy Nicholl's first goal of the season. With Aston Villa also losing Town remained top, one point ahead with a game in hand. More

Kevin Steggles made his debut for Ipswich the day before his 20th birthday. Compared with the drama of the first leg the match was rather colourless. St Etienne had clearly given up any hopes of saving the tie and Town coasted to a comfortable victory. More

There were personal feuds all over the pitch in a nasty match. Ipswich lost Mick Mills with a dislocated shoulder and minutes later his replacement Kevin O'Callaghan was floored by a tackle which was off the ball and behind the referee's back. Paul Mariner was flattened as he bore down on goal, Town taking a 2-0 lead from the resultant penalty, and Russell Osman struck a post from a free kick. There was precious little football, but what there was came from Ipswich. More

Bobby Robson tried to have this match put back to Wednesday to give his players an extra day's rest, but Brian Clough would have none of it. Forest had greater possession in the first half without creating many chances. Town made a tactical change at the interval, withdrawing Eric Gates into midfield, and the Forest defence began to look vulnerable. Another fine match was decided by a goal from an unusual source, after a smart move involving Mick Mills, Frans Thijssen and Paul Mariner, Arnold Muhren thumped a low volley into the corner of the net - with his right foot. More

The European Cup holders two down then fighting back to look certain winners. The league leaders heading for their first defeat since before Christmas then snatching a replay. Town taking their total of goals from three important away matches in eight days to eleven. A marvellous cup tie. Not necessarily good for the nerves or heart but fabulous entertainment. More

French club St Etienne entered the quarter finals as favourites for the trophy, having scored 22 goals without reply in their six matches, including a 5-0 away victory over Hamburg in the previous round. A brisk opening produced a headed goal by Dutch international Johnny Rep. Then Ipswich took control in a performance as close to perfection as one is likely to see on a pitch which cut up quite badly in places. Paul Mariner equalised with a classic far post header. Arnold Muhren drove in a thunderous 25- yarder. Mariner made it 3-1, snapping up the rebound after Jean Castaneda blocked Terry Butcher's shot with his knees. And, almost inevitably, John Wark got on the score sheet with his 30th of the season, a header in off a post. Wark had by then long subdued the French international star Michel Platini, almost anonymous apart from one drive narrowly wide just before the interval. To their credit the French side continued to play football but they must have been thoroughly demoralised by Town's quite brilliant display. More