1978-79 saw Liverpool and Forest dominant once again, although this time their roles were reversed. On 9 December 1978 Liverpool ended Forest’s year-long unbeaten run in the league. The Forest bubble didn’t burst, however, and they again lost just three times in the league. Incredibly, that was only good enough to earn them second place behind a Liverpool side that was in record-breaking mood. Forest’s 60 points would have won the championship on numerous postwar occasions. Liverpool themselves had won with that same points tally in 1973 and 1976, and Derby’s two titles had been won with a lesser total. Liverpool lost one more game than Forest but 30 wins and eight draws gave them 68 points, one better than the record set by Leeds in 1968-69. The Reds’ defence was phenomenal conceding just 16 goals all season.
Million-pound Francis wins European Cup for Forest
If Liverpool had reclaimed their domestic crown from
Forest, it was Clough’s men who took Liverpool’s mande
As champions of Europe. The two sides were unlucky to be
Drawn together in the first round of the European Cup, a
Game that would have graced the final. New young
Striking sensation Garry Birtles scored one of the goals as
Forest took a 2-0 lead to Anfield. There they fought out a
Goalless draw and it was Forest who went forward to try
And bring Europe’s premier cup back to England for the
Third successive year. They did so, but not without a scare
Or two. In their semi-final against Cologne Forest could
Only draw 3-3 at home. But Clough masterminded a 1-0
Win in Germany, Ian Bowyer scoring the goal wliich put
Forest into the final.
They faced Swedish champions Malmo in the Olympic Stadium, Munich. The hero of the hour was Trevor Francis, who headed the only goal of the game just before the break. Francis had become Britain’s first million-pound footballer earlier in the season, Birmingham City finally being forced to part with their prize asset. Francis had not been eligible to play in the earlier European ties. His first taste of European football had won the premier trophy and paid off a large chunk of that record fee.
Above: Trevor Francis and Nottingham Forest captain, John McGovern hold up the European Cup as the victorious team are driven through the streets of Nottingham in celebration of their superb achievement.
Left: The joy on ArsenaTs Alan Sunderland’s face says it all, after he snatches a last-gasp winner in the 1979 FA Cup Final to beat Manchester United 2-1.
World History
