MX23RW : Saturday, May 11 08:15:52| >> :120:20716:20716:

On this day: Norman Whiteside scores FA Cup hat-trick

Twenty-nine years ago today, a hat-trick from Norman Whiteside helped Manchester United advance through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

While Manchester United rarely appeared as though they were going to mount a serious challenge for the league title during the 1970s and the 1980s, they did often make an impact in the FA Cup.

They were winners in 1977 and 1983, as well as beaten finalists in 1976 and 1979.

So, when they played host to West Ham United in the quarter-finals of the competition back on this day in 1985, confidence was high at Old Trafford over the team's chances of reaching another final.

It was a particularly special tournament for United's Norman Whiteside, who had found the net as an 18-year-old two years earlier as the Red Devils lifted the trophy at the expense of Brighton & Hove Albion at Wembley.

The Northern Irishman would go on to star in this tie, but it would be his teammate Mark Hughes who broke the deadlock during the first half.

Paul McGrath crossed from the right for the centre-forward and having taken a couple of touches, he then powered in his 17th goal of the season.

The visiting Hammers rallied, though, and were level soon after when Paul Allen's cross from the right flank was slashed into his own net by retreating United defender Graeme Hogg.

However, it would be United who would take the lead into the break thanks to Whiteside. West Ham failed to clear Gordon Strachan's corner and when the ball was headed towards goal by McGrath, Whiteside was on hand to divert it into the roof of the net from close range.

He then added his second and United's third of the afternoon in the 74th following after a lofted through-ball from Hogg. Having held off his marker, Whiteside was able to fire into the bottom corner of the net with his weaker right foot.

Winger Allen reduced the arrears six minutes from time, but it was Whiteside who had the final say in the 88th minute. Strachan was brought down inside the area and, despite being Ron Atkinson's usual taker of penalties, he passed on the duty to Whiteside, who duly completed his hat-trick from the spot.

Speaking recently to United's official website, Belfast-born Whiteside, who also scored the only goal of that year's final against Everton, recalled: "The FA Cup remains very special to me. I didn't score that many goals in my career but, in 1983, I found the net in both the semi-final and the final.

"This was the 1985 quarter-final and, of course, I hit the winner at Wembley against Everton too. It's nice to be remembered because it's a fantastic competition, recognised worldwide, and I'd dreamed of playing in it and scoring as a kid."

MAN UNITED: Bailey; Gidman, Hogg, McGrath, Albiston; Duxbury, Strachan, Whiteside, Olsen; Hughes, Stapleton

WEST HAM: McAlister; Stewart, Walford, Martin, Orr; Brush, Allen, Pike, Dickens; Goddard, Cottee

ID:143308: cacheID:143308:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4916:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Juan Sebastian Veron attempts to keep possession from  Dietmar Hamann and John Arne Riise during the 2003 League Cup final.
Read Next:
Man United vs. Liverpool: Top five Cup matches
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!