On This Day (6th Nov 1984): Sunderland's Gayle Force Triumph Over Forest in League Cup Thriller
Today at 01:00 AM
Howard Gayle's extra-time stunner clinches a memorable 1-0 victory against Nottingham Forest, propelling Sunderland to the next round of the League Cup and igniting Wembley dreams.
There was a growing feeling around this League Cup campaign that this could be our year. We had put in a hard-working performance at the City Ground a week before, and Roker Park's biggest crowd of the season so far was ready for more.
After defeating Crystal Palace in the two-legged second round with two goals from Roger Wylde in the home tie, around 3,000 fans travelled to Nottingham for the mid-week third-round match against Brian Clough's Forest. I was one of them, and by the time we were heading back up the road with a replay to look forward to, we were optimistically making plans for Wembley in a competition where we had little history, agreeing to follow this League Cup journey as long as we remained in it!
Our league form at home had been encouraging, with five wins, two draws, and no defeats. The last two games at Roker Park saw us hammer Luton and QPR by 3-0 scorelines. Roger Wylde had scored in both and was beginning to look a real bargain at £15,000 from Sporting Lisbon, already tallying five goals.
Forest arrived with a handy squad despite arguably being a team in transition since their glory years between 1977 and 1982. Players like Steve Sutton, Gary Mills, Johnny Metgod, former Sunderland midfielder Ian Bowyer, and future England international Steve Hodge filled out a squad that could still be dangerous. Adding to the drama was Forest's manager Brian Clough, a former Sunderland legend who had been rumoured as a potential manager for us multiple times.
Forest had the better chances in the first leg, but after David Hodgson's goal, we felt we might have won it. Forest didn't scare us. Sunderland-born Mark Proctor, playing against his former team, gave us an extra edge.
The biggest talking point for fans before kick-off was the absence of young star Nick Pickering. He had just been called up to the England U21 squad and had only missed two games this season. Manager Len Ashurst was adamant no player in his team was a guaranteed pick and had dropped him.
The game began in front of a boisterous, noisy Roker Park crowd.
As in recent home games, Sunderland attacked quickly. Mark Proctor sent a stinging drive toward goal, which rebounded to Steve Berry, who was crowded out by Forest's defence. Clive Walker then tested Steve Sutton with a cracking free kick that the keeper saved on the second attempt.
Sunderland's start was breathtaking, firing up the Roker Roar, but Forest showed they were here to compete in the 22nd minute when the elusive Wigley danced past two challenges to fire a dangerous cross well held by Chris Turner. Minutes later, a Forest attack saw Wigley's follow-up shot slam off the crossbar, leaving his teammates in visible frustration.
Sunderland rode their luck briefly but fought back. Barry Venison found Proctor, who released Gayle with a perfect ball. Gayle's shot was deflected for a corner at the last moment. Wylde and Hodgson then crafted a great chance for Berry, who saw his shot bravely blocked by Sutton.
Half-time arrived with no goals, but it had been a pulsating half, and the applause from the crowd felt like it was for both teams.
The second half brought its own drama. Metgod undercooked a back pass, giving Gayle a shot at goal, only for Sutton to smother it. Then, a wild few minutes saw Shaun Elliott booked for a challenge, followed by Raynor and Bennett receiving yellows for what seemed like banter. Moments later, Raynor was sent off for a minor foul on Bennett, much to the fury of Clough, who stormed over to comfort his player.
Playing against ten men proved unexpectedly difficult as Forest packed their half. In the 78th minute, Forest nearly scored on a breakaway, with Chris Turner making a crucial fingertip save to deny Riley. Sunderland rallied, with Hodgson and Wylde testing Sutton repeatedly.
In extra time, Sutton made a spectacular triple save from Berry, Hodgson, and Wylde in quick succession. Clough, visibly impressed, rose to applaud his keeper, joined by much of the crowd. With time running down, it looked like penalties might be looming.
Then, in the 110th minute, Howard Gayle broke free, racing from the halfway line and unleashing a 25-yard rocket that rocketed into the net. The stadium fell into stunned silence for half a second, then erupted into the loudest roar of the night. A worthy match-winner, Gayle's goal secured our place in the next round against Tottenham Hotspur.
Up to seventh in the table and charging forward in the League Cup, life was good for Sunderland fans in November 1984. What could possibly go wrong?
Match Details:
League Cup 3rd Round Replay
Date: 06/11/1984
Attendance: 23,184
Score: Sunderland 1 - 0 Nottingham Forest (AET)
Goal Scorer: Howard Gayle, 110 minutes
Teams:
Sunderland: Turner, Venison, Elliott, Bennett, Daniel, Berry, Hodgson, Proctor, Walker, Wylde (West 105 mins), Gayle.
Nottingham Forest: Sutton, Mills, Swain, Metgod, Fairclough, Bowyer, Wigley, Hodge, Raynor, Walsh, Riley. Sub - Christie.
