Division 1 vs Division 4 in the first PMF Cup final

by Mark Chang for PMF News

First division Leeds United may have a trickier task in hand than on paper, as they beat fellow top flight strugglers Arsenal at Old Trafford, by one goal to nil, they were to find that Manchester City had overcome Derby County by three goals to nil.

The lower division clash was far more exciting for the neutral, and Manchester City showed their nerve by overcoming a two goal deficit to knock out Division threes' Derby County.

In the first round of the cup Manchester City had to face Barnsley at home, Barnsley were the surprise table toppers in the early part of the season and the match really could have gone either way. It wasn't to be much of a problem for City however, overcoming their rivals by three goals to one. Gavilan, Dunne and Berkovic the players putting their team through.

Leeds United had an easier first round task, overseeing a six goals to nil demolition of Division four strugglers Norwich City, they were helped on their way with a Louis Saha hatrick.

The second round draw wasn't the best for either team, Manchester City drawing the mighty Liverpool at home, and Leeds United facing Alain Borls' Manchester United away.

Manchester City took a surprise lead against their top flight opponents, but when Owen equalised in the 82nd minute, it was looking like the higher placed club would take a hold of the game. It wasn't to be however, as substitute Toure scored his first City goal to produce the shock of the round.

Leeds and Manchester United was predictably tight, nothing could seperate the teams in the 90 minutes and extra time, and it came down to penalties. When Bowyer missed for the visitors it looked like Manchester United were on their way to a win, but with misses from Solskjaer and Silvestre, they went tumbling out.

In the quarter finals, Manchester City faced an out of sorts Leicester side. It was certainly the draw Hansen would have wanted, and he watched on as his team won comfortably by three goals to nil, with two goals from Baros, and one from Smicer.

Leeds had a trickier tie than on paper, Charlton had already knocked out Tottenham and Sunderland, and for the third time they faced higher placed opposition. Vlatask Vlaschev masterminded a few scares for Leeds, but in the end a Jermaine Defoe goal was enough to take them through.

And with todays semi finals, which saw Leeds United winning through by one goal to nil, and Manchester City winning three goals to two, it sets us up nicely for the first PMF Cup Final to be played on the 13th April 2002.