In January 1954 Sunderland have been struggling in the direction of the decrease reaches of the primary division desk and – as was the perennial resolution to any downside on the time – the board splashed the money to attempt to resolve it.
This time, it was Birmingham’s South African born striker Ted Purdon who arrived at Roker – the 23 yr outdated having scored 27 in 64 video games since arriving in England 4 years earlier.
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Two objectives in a 5-0 win on his debut towards Cardiff Metropolis at Roker Park introduced his arrival in model; a a lot wanted increase after simply two wins within the earlier ten video games, however subsequent up was a visit to Highbury to face reigning champions Arsenal.
It might be a tricky check, little question, however this inconsistent Sunderland crew had already overwhelmed the Gunners earlier within the season – a outstanding 7-1 rating line giving Invoice Murray’s crew the 2 factors – and with new signing Purdon within the ranks, and coming off the again of a convincing win over the Bluebirds, confidence was little question excessive.
And that confidence was not misplaced, as Sunderland took the lead in what’s considered the membership’s quickest ever objective – Purdon netting after simply 10 seconds, with Arsenal not even touching the ball!
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In entrance of a packed Highbury crowd of greater than 60,000 (in response to press studies, ‘the Wearsiders are at all times a giant attraction within the capital’), Sunderland kicked off and have been in entrance instantly; Chisholm slipping the ball by to Purdon, who calmly managed it and slipped the ball previous Gunners keeper Kelsey.
The lads virtually made it two moments after, with Chisholm’s shot deflected for a nook, however inside six minutes Arsenal have been stage; Holton scoring from the sting of the field, beating Cowan just below the bar.
Each side had alternatives to get into the lead; Lishman lacking a superb probability for Arsenal, and Shackleton capturing straight at Kelsey. Shack’s probability got here from a Purdon knock down, and the current signing was displaying up extremely nicely, handing over a full of life show and inflicting the Arsenal defence all method of issues.
Sunderland dictated a lot of a fast-paced first half, and may have had a penalty when Shackleton was introduced down, however whereas as shaky as Arsenal have been on the again, they have been harmful up entrance, with Lishman inflicting all method of issues. Cowan within the Sunderland objective pulled off a few large saves to maintain the rating stage, and the groups went in at half time with the rating 1-1.
Late within the first half, Tommy Wright had injured himself in a sort out, and with no subs obtainable he went to centre ahead, with Shackleton transferring to the proper wing and Purdon enjoying inside ahead.
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Arsenal had a few harmful strikes, however Sunderland rapidly exerted their power, creating ‘a number of sensible assaults’, and ‘fast, first-time passes had the Arsenal defence rocking’.
A genuinely-earned second objective for the lads arrived simply after the hour, and it was Purdon once more on the scoresheet. Billy Elliott acquired the ball into the field after his personal surging run had been stopped, and Purdon slid in to simply get there forward of Kelsey and put the ball into the online.
Arsenal got here again strongly – a terrific goalmouth scramble noticed Sunderland simply preserve the ball out – and moments later it was 3-1; the injured Wright discovering himself with solely Kelsey to beat, after Purdon had gone previous two males with an ideal run.
An absence of response to the third objective noticed the Arsenal crowd of over 60,000 go away of their 1000’s, and there weren’t too a lot of them left to see Purdon full his hat trick to make it 4-1 simply earlier than the top, the brand new signing slotting house after Shackleton’s sensible cross.
Two wins and 5 objectives in your first two video games. Not a nasty method for a brand new striker to introduce himself!
