Greatest Own Goals of All-Time No.24
This week’s ‘Greatest Own Goal’ comes from the 1981 FA Cup Final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. The unfortunate man to put through his own net was Manchester city midfielder Tommy Hutchison.
Hutchison scored the opening goal of the game in the 30th minute, getting on the end of a Ray Ranson cross to thump a header past Milija Aleksic in the Tottenham goal. However, he would write his name in the record books in the second half when he deflected a Glenn Hoddle free-kick past his own goalkeeper.
Three players stood over the ball, Ossie Ardiles, Steve Perryman, and Hoddle. When match referee Keith Hackett blew his whistle, Ardiles and Perryman exchanged passes before Hoddle curled the ball around the right of the Tottenham wall. Glenn Hoddle’s free-kick was going wide but hit Hutchison, who had made a late run behind the City wall to go and defend the near post.
The ball took a huge deflection, skewing off Hutchison, and flew towards the opposite corner. City goalkeeper Joe Corrigan had already made a move towards the near post, anticipating Hoddle’s free-kick to go towards that side, as had been Hoddle’s intention.
Corrigan had absolutely no chance of getting back to stop the ball. Hutchison slumped forward with his hands on his knees and stared at the Wembley pitch in disbelief. He then dropped to his haunches as he realised the implication of what had happened. Joe Corrigan helped him to his feet and gave him encouragement as BBC commentator John Motson excitedly described what happened:
“…Oh how cruel Cup Finals can be! He was the hero in the first half, and he’s the villain now!”
The game ended 1-1 and Tottenham would go on and win the replay x days later 3-2. This replay saw the great solo goal by Argentine Ricky Villa, who slalomed through the Manchester City defence before slotting home. It remains one of the greatest goals scored in an FA Cup Final.
In scoring the own goal in the first game, Tommy Hutchison became the first player to score for both teams in the same FA Cup Final. An unwanted record for any player, compounded by the fact that it gave Tottenham the opportunity to then beat his own team in a replay.
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