The Tanner Report

I was not at the F A Cup  game at Norwich so I cannot offer a first hand opinion. My wife, proof-reading my copy, said ” that’s never stopped you.”

There were three important features: the return of Clint Dempsey, who my reporters said looked rusty; a great save by David Stockdale, inevitably compared to Gordon Banks from Pele’s header; the introduction of 3 youngsters from the Academy and big Dan Burn who was loaned out to Birmingham. Central defender Dan Burn gave the best account.

Rex has already written eloquently on the decline of the FA Cup. This is summed by the final comment that no club wanted a replay, i.e. it was better to lose and be eliminated.