Many of the club’s most dramatic matches happened during this particular seven days over the past century with FA Cups won and lost, relegation suffered and titles won.
Some things defy explanation, but most City fans will simply nod knowing that the unpredictable streak that has been associated with the Blues over the years isn’t a modern trait – it’s always been there!
Take the 1933 FA Cup final for instance. On April 29, City were soundly thrashed by Everton who had the legendary Dixie Dean among their number, but almost a year to the day later (April 28, 1934), City returned to Wembley to win the trophy after beating Portsmouth 2-1.
Within three years, City had won the League title for the first time with a 2-2 draw at Birmingham on May 1, 1937 completing an incredible 22-match unbeaten run that had seen Wilf Wild’s side go from mid-table at Christmas to the summit with 15 wins and seven draws.
Fast forward 12 months and City’s 6-2 win over Leeds United on April 30 seemed to have ensured Division One survival, but on the final day of the season, a remarkable set of results and a late goal for Huddersfield meant the defending champions were relegated – with a goal difference of plus three!
On a happier note, on April 29, 1959, the Blues beat Leicester City 3-1 on the last day of the campaign to move out of the relegation places and send Aston Villa down instead
...this week in City’s history
In 1968, April 28 saw City secure a vital 2-0 win over Everton at Maine Road thanks to goals from Tony Coleman and a rare Tony Book strike. Five days later and the Blues beat Spurs 3-1 at White Hart Lane to move within one victory of the title with Colin Bell, who scored twice, giving a majestic display on the day.
Arguably one of the City fans’ favourite results of all-time also came during this week, when, on April 27, 1974, Denis Law’s back-heel confirmed Manchester United’s relegation to Division Two and guaranteed caretaker boss Tony Book the manager’s position at Maine Road.
Finally, who could forget the Blues’ dramatic trip to the Baseball Ground on April 30, 1977 where title-chasing City took on Derby County?
In an ill-tempered game, the relegation-threatened Rams triumphed 4-0 to effectively hand the championship to Liverpool. The game was memorable for Joe Corrigan’s insistence that the penalty spot was too close and he measured the distance himself to prove a point - resulting a new spot being painted!
