Especially when it comes on Boxing Day against the side destined to be champions. As it did in 1981/82.
John Bond’s City were expected to be midtable come the end of the season, having won eight of our 18 games up until Christmas Day.
Haaland: We have to stick together, enjoy the ride and smile!
While we couldn’t quite get the consistency required to dream big, there was no doubt that on our day we were more than a match for any side in the league.
That’s how it proved in this one, against Bob Paisley’s Liverpool who boasted many of the players that were on course to be some of their biggest legends – Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen and Bruce Grobbelaar amongst others.
By May, they would be top of the tree, claiming 87 points in total and finishing four ahead of Ipswich Town due to 63 points from a possible 75 after our encounter.
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But they couldn’t live with Bond’s side on this occasion.
Asa Hartford opened the scoring in sublime fashion, reacting quickest when Steve Kinsey’s low cross wasn’t cleared quick enough.
He shielded the ball using his body, swivelled his hips and drilled the ball into the near corner with his left foot.
The hosts hit the bar soon after in response before City had the chance to double our lead when Phil Thompson handled the ball on the line to deny Kinsey after Grobbelaar had dropped the ball at his feet.
Kevin Bond made no mistake from the spot for his first City goal before Ronnie Whelan got the title chasing home side back in the tie.
However, the best was saved until last from a City perspective, with Kevin Reeves flicking brilliantly towards goal and somewhat taking Grobbelaar by surprise.
So sealed a vital three points and perhaps our greatest day of that season.
Little could we have known it would be more than 21 years until we won on the red side of Merseyside again…
Make a Night of It!
Hospitality for all four of our home Champions League games are now on sale.
City will face PSG, AEK Athens, Napoli and Sporting CP at the Etihad in the League Phase of the 2026/27 competition.
We take on the current holders on Wednesday 14 October, the Greek Super League champions on Tuesday 20 October, Kevin De Bruyne’s Serie A side on Tuesday 24 November and Matheus Nunes’s former club on Wednesday 27 January – all kick-off times are 20:00 (UK).
And you can be here to see this quality quartet of European matches with a range of packages available.
Prices start from £95 while we also have 20% off City Hall and Crossbar when two or more UCL League Phase games are purchased – the offer will automatically be added in your basket when you add two more fixtures.
Make your matchday unforgettable by booking one of our incredible hospitality experiences.
