Matchday Memories: On This Day 2000 – Strachan’s Sky Blues Score Rare Win On Road (To Relegation)!
Gordon the Gaffer
On this day (26th August) in 2000, after waiting for an away victory for over a year, the Sky Blues managed to get another one (their second on the trot), albeit one of only four in this, their last season in the top division!
The Sky Blues went to Maine Road in their third match of the 2000-01 season having lost their Highfield Road opener 1-3 to Middlesbrough but then won away 2-1 at Southampton three days prior to meeting Manchester City on this day. Former Manchester United star, now Sky Blues manager (and CCFPA member), Gordon Strachan was no doubt misleadingly encouraged by the early season 2-1 win against the side representing the light blue half of Manchester.
Craig in the Sky Blue
After all, Joe Royle‘s newly promoted team had just thumped Sunderland, scoring four against them, and had influential players like Paulo Wanchope and George Weah in their side. They also had former Sky Blue favourite (and CCFPA member) Darren Huckerby in their squad (though he didn’t play in this game).
In front of a crowd of 34,160 the ‘other’ City Sky Blues gifted CCFC their opener when their Richard Edgehill scored a 24th minute headed own goal past his ‘keeper Nicky Weaver. Edgehill further blotted his copybook by allowing the Sky Blues controversial striker Craig Bellamy to ‘skin him’ and score just before half-time to go in 2-0 up at the break. The crowd got on the defenders back and he was subbed.
The Coventry Sky Blues did concede in the second half, Kevin Horlock got one back with a fine volley on 78 minutes, but CCFC held on for their first win at Maine Road since 1986!
The Sky Blues fielded the following team against Man. City (CCFPA members underlined):-
Magnus Hedman, Mark Edworthy, Marcus Hall, Carlton Palmer, Paul D Williams, Richard Shaw, Paul Telfer, John Eustace, Cedric Roussel*, Craig Bellamy and Youssef Chippo (sub. David Thompson -46)
Sadly, Cedric has fairly recently passed away.
Joe Royle‘s Manchester City’s team lined up as follows:-
Nicky Weaver, Richard Edgehill (sub. Tony Grant -46), Danny Tiatto, Alf-Inge Haland, Steve Howey, Spencer Prior, Gerard Wiekens, Kevin Horlock, George Weah, Paolo Wanchope, and Mark Kennedy (sub. Paul Dickov -56) Referee: Any D’Urso (Billericay)
Shaun Goater
Both teams managed a 1-1 league draw at Highfield Road on New Years’ Day and the Mancunians got some revenge by putting the Sky Blues out of the fourth round of the F.A.Cup at Maine Road in January 2001 by a last minute goal from future Sky Blue (and CCFPA member) Shaun Goater!
The season, of course, went pear shaped for both clubs as Manchester City went down to the Championship in eighteenth spot on the same points but one place better off than the Sky Blues, both above bottom team Bradford City. To give the Mancumians extra grief their neighbours Manchester United won the title (by a full ten points from Arsenal)!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
