The Rowley Brothers

The aphorism that younger siblings make the better sportspeople remains largely unproven. In the back garden, a boy with a ball at his feet is chased by his younger brother as a zealous greyhound takes to the hare. It is often argued however that in these formative games of kick and rush, the junior player develops an understanding of the game's facets at a younger age; the mental, technical, and physical skills required to win and protect the ball. It is largely thanks to the competitive spirit of brotherhood that Jack Rowley and Arthur Rowley left their mark on the English Football League.

Jack and Arthur's devotion to the game first derived from the filial bond with father Mark who played in goal for Walsall. Growing up in Wolverhampton, Jack (born in 1920) played youth football locally at Dudley Old Boys before signing professional forms with Wolverhampton Wanderers as a fifteen year old in November 1935. As a novice, Jack performed for Cradley Heath on loan between September and November 1936 before moving to Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, another short-term move in which he reportedly scored 10 goals in 11 games from February to April 1937. It was in this spell that Jack somewhat serendipitously got his big break.

The owner of Manchester United, James W. Gibson was on vacation in the salubrious south coast when he spotted the five-foot-nine forward, and by October 1937 had paid the substantial sum of £3,000 to take Jack to Old Trafford. In his first campaign at United Rowley's 9 goals led the Red Devils to promotion from the Second Division, seven years after their relegation in 1931. In the following season Jack's 10 goals in 39 appearances guided Walter Crickmer's team to the middle reaches of the First Division. At the outbreak of the Second World War, Jack was 18 years-old,  and the ensuing conflict denied him six years of a fledgling career.  Meanwhile, a certain Arthur Rowley was denied the opportunity of featuring for England Schoolboys.

Jack Rowley. Copyright Manchester United Football Club

As a teenager, the highly talented Arthur Rowley (born in 1926) relocated to Manchester; finding employment with his brother at a nearby metal sheet factory. By 1941 he had signed amateur forms with Manchester United, and at just 15 years and 5 days old partnered brother Jack in an offensive quintet against Liverpool at Anfield in a war-time league encounter. Arthur remains the youngest debutant in United's history. 

Although professional clubs preserved signed contracts during the war they did not expect players to adhere to their terms, giving them agency to make guest appearances for other clubs. Typically, footballers would play for the teams closest to their garrisons. Arthur, too young to serve, gained invaluable experience guesting for Wolves. Conversely, Jack combined a role as an active soldier in the South Staffordshire regiment with guest appearances for Aldershot, and Belfast Distillery. Notably, Jack also won the League War Cup with Wolves in 1942 and had regular outings with Tottenham Hotspur in 1943-44, firing them to the Football League South title .

While the senior Rowley brother established himself as a war hero with contributions to the Normandy landings on D-Day, Arthur was shown the door at Old Trafford and swiftly signed for West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 1944. To his chagrin, first-team opportunities were limited at The Hawthorns.

Surprisingly Jack left the forces with his sporting reputation enhanced. After Wilhelm Keitel signed German surrender terms in May 1945 a British armed forces squad containing Rowley departed for a "celebratory tour" of Italy and Greece. According to Andi Thomas, Jack missed most of the football through "dysentery" and "sandfly fever." Significantly however, he engaged for the first time with player-manager Matt Busby, foreboding a fruitful working relationship with the Scotsman when he took the reins at Manchester United in October.

Arthur Rowley. Pinterest

Entering his twenties, Arthur had struggled to emulate his brother's rapid ascent to the apex of the football pyramid. Registering 4 goals in 24 appearances played intermittently over four seasons with the Baggies. In 1948 he was allowed to depart for Second Division Fulham in an exchange deal whereby winger Ernie Shepherd headed in the opposite direction. This move to West London was the catalyst for a change in fortune in front of goal; a tally of 19 goals was conducive to a league winners medal in his opening season.

In the north of the capital Jack played a career-defining game. Busby moved him from inside left to centre-forward in 1946, and the tactical alteration was instrumental to United reaching the FA Cup Final in 1948. In front of a 99,842 crowd at Wembley Stadium Jack scored a brace as United came back from 2-1 down to defeat Blackpool 4-2; the zenith of his career.

Jack Rowley rises to score a second in the 1948 FA Cup Final. Copyright British Pathé 

Jack Rowley managed one more major honour during his time in Manchester, scoring a hat-trick in a final day decider against Arsenal which propelled United to a 6-1 victory and crowned them 1951-52 First Division Champions. In twelve seasons at Old Trafford Rowley netted 211 times in 424 appearances. This bounty of goals, his powerful left foot, and military past earned him the endearing nickname 'Gunner.'

Despite having a penchant for goal-scoring, life in the First Division proved challenging for Arthur once more, managing only 8 goals in one top tier term at Fulham. Struggling to contend with the notion that his wife had taken a disliking to London life and he had failed to excel in the top flight again, Rowley sought pastures new at Leicester City by the beginning of the 1950-51 campaign.

Once Filbert Street manager Norman Bullock converted Arthur from centre forward to inside left he scored 28, 38, and 39 in consecutive seasons; the third of which culminated in a league golden boot award. A 36 goal haul in 1953-54 catapulted The Foxes to the Second Division title. Arthur's first season of success in Division One (22 goals in 41 games) had been eagerly awaited, it was blemished however by Leicester's demotion back whence they came.

In a further three seasons in the East Midlands Arthur inspired the Foxes' return to the First Division, amassing 93 goals in the 103 games preceding the summer of 1958. Manager Dave Halliday's decision to sell Rowley 8 goals short of the club record is an illustration of the vagaries of the game. To those who never stepped onto the field of play and could not fully understand such a clinically objective approach, Halliday's dismissal in November must have felt like poetic justice. Arthur had attained cult hero status though. With a similar style, thunderous left foot, and aptitude in front of goal which belonged to brother Jack, The Filbert Street faithful deferred to Arthur as 'Gunner'.

In the 1950s the transition from player to manager was a much more integrated one , with clubs often employing men who could undertake the two roles simultaneously. Both Rowley Brothers were beneficiaries of this culture. Jack turned down Busby's offer to remain at United as the inactive yet avuncular senior player in favour of becoming player-manager at third division Plymouth Argyle in February 1955. Similarly, Arthur was appointed Shrewsbury Town player-manager after departing Filbert Street.
 
There is undeniable symmetry between the siblings, their left feet, shared nickname, predatory instinct, and mutual desire to lead. However, only Jack Rowley's legacy is embellished by a record of 6 caps and 6 goals for the England national team. On his international debut in December 1948, Rowley scored from 35 yards in a 6-0 victory against Switzerland at Highbury. A 3-1 defeat in Sweden was followed by a 3-1 victory over France in May 1949. It was in his fourth game that Jack reached the pinnacle of his England career, notching 4 goals in a 9-2 British Championship win over Ireland. Following one more goal in a 2-0 defeat of Italy, Jack made his last appearance in 1952, taking part in a 2-1 success against Scotland at Hampden Park.

Jack Rowley scores his second and England's fifth in the 9-2 thrashing of Ireland. Copyright British Pathé

Jack scored on 14 occasions in 56 appearances for the Pilgrims before hanging up his boots in May 1957. He retained his seat in the dugout until March 1960 having orchestrated Argyle's romp to the Division Three title in the preceding season. In an illustrious career 'Gunner' amassed 238 goals in 504 games.

Arthur Rowley took little time to settle in Salopia, winning the fourth division golden boot with a tally of 38 goals in 43 games in his first season; firing the Shropshire club to promotion in the process. Rowley managed 32, 28, 23, and 24 goals during four profitable campaigns in the third tier. As Rowley grew cumbersome he seldom played in the two seasons leading up to his retirement in 1965. When he did take to the field he remained in situ at the centre of the Shrewsbury defence. Arthur remained manager at Gay Meadow until 1968. Rowley scored a total 434 league goals in 619 games; a football league record to this day.

Shrewsbury Town fans display banner in memory of Arthur Rowley in 2012. Source: Youtube

Jack continued to thrive on the touchline. A three year spell at Oldham culminated in promotion from the fourth division in 1963. Rowley relocated to Amsterdam but was replaced as Ajax coach by compatriot Vic Buckingham in light of one mediocre season. Short stints as Wrexham and Bradford Park Avenue followed, leading ultimately to an unsuccessful return to Boundary Park in October 1968. His tenure lasted just three months. It transpired that this role would be Jack Rowley's last in the beautiful game.

In July 1968 Arthur  was offered the promising opportunity to manage Sheffield United. Having failed to lead the newly-relegated Blades back to the top flight, he was shown the door at Bramall Lane in August 1969. From 1970 Rowley presided over Southend United; an era in which the Roots Hall club toured Russia but domestically could only consolidate their place in Division Three. Unfortunately Rowley was sacked after his Shrimpers plummeted back to the fourth tier in 1976. Myriad non-league coaching positions followed and 'Gunner' retired in the following decade. 

A fraternal bond punctuated the lives and careers of Jack and Arthur Rowley. They even reached 200 league goals on the same afternoon 22nd October 1955. Arthur scored for Leicester against Fulham and Jack for Plymouth versus Barnsley. Jack ran a newsagent in Greater Manchester until his passing in June 1998, and Arthur settled in Shrewsbury, frequently visiting Gay Meadow before his passing in December 2002. He has since been named Shrewsbury Town's Player of the Century. Two brothers living in separate communities among those they entertained, epitomising football's fraternizing qualities. The memory of two Gunners lives on.





References:

Andi Thomas - https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/2014/2/28/5456162/manchester-united-jack-rowley-forgotten-goalscorer

https://readtheleague.com/the-big-feature/the-rowley-brothers-two-gunners

Magnificent Seven For Luton In Stevenage Rout

Words | Tom Caldon
Luton Town 7-1 Stevenage 
Berry 3', 21', 62'                                    Kennedy 45+2'
Hylton 7', 52'
Justin 90'
Gambin 90+3'

Sky Bet League Two | Saturday 14th October


Copyright Luton Town Football Club



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luton versus Stevenage is a fixture which floats between footballing binaries. While the close proximity of the clubs is incontrovertible, it lacks the history and animosity intrinsically linked to a 'local derby'. In the stands however, it means incrementally more than the customary League Two game.   

 

Only seventeen miles separate the towns, but the first league encounter between the teams took place as recently as 2009 following the draconian points deduction which condemned the Hatters to the Conference. Subsequently, Boro edged an embittered race to the Blue Square Bet Premier title. Luton won the only previous meetings between the clubs, both of which were played in the Football League Trophy in the early noughties when the top ten non-league teams were granted entry to the tournament. It wouldn't be the last maligned alteration to the competition.

As two teams in the top seven kicked off, the tension and jealousy manifested in a hot temper. Jack Stacey roared down the right and crossed from the byline. At the back post, Luke Berry astutely nudged the unsuspecting Ronnie Henry before nodding beyond Joe Fryer and into the bottom left corner; the former Cambridge midfielder's first in Luton colours.

The visitors immediately rallied and displayed a fighting spirit synonymous with Darren Sarll's team. An XI containing four ex-Hatters had something to prove. Joe Martin dribbled past the stools which seat those in the lower echelons of Kenilworth Road's main stand, and crossed into the penalty area. Danny Newton met the perfect cross with a powerful header six yards from goal which whizzed past Marek Stech, his right-hand post, and into The Oak Road End, much to the relief of the cumbersome Johnny Mullins. Both teams were playing without inhibition, and that is perhaps when sport is at its most resonant. To play with an emotion and fervour which cannot be sustained; as if to see the ball and goal again for the first time.

 

 

A long pass from the Stevenage half was sent back by the diving Scott Cuthbert and inadvertently missed by Martin. Danny Hylton seized on the loose ball as the most observant and tenacious strikers do. With a stutter and a shimmy, Hylton fired a left-footed effort through the legs of Fraser Franks which wrong-footed the unsighted Fryer. The former Oxford striker ruffled his hair and ran aimlessly in celebration, foreshadowing the chaos.

Boro's hubris only made matters worse. They approached offensive corners recklessly. After James Justin cleared, the subsequent counter-attack was both hair-raising and cringeworthy. First Harry Cornick poked past Dale Gorman and glided into the open space. Once Cornick passed to Olly Lee on the edge of the area, Gorman and then Henry attempted to clear with embarrassingly submissive swipes. The ball eventually bobbled to Berry who dragged across Fryer with his left foot and into the bottom right corner, invoking chants of "Easy! Easy!" among those in the Kenilworth Road End.

 

The avalanche continued. First Hylton's rasping effort was parried by Fryer, next the Middlesbrough loanee flung himself across goal to paw Lee's header away from the bottom right corner. On the stroke of halftime Lee slalomed through the visiting defence but missed the chance to make the hosts' lead unassailable, and yet there was more action to come before half-time.

 

The endeavour of Ben Kennedy was Stevenage's only beacon of hope in the first forty-five. His quick feet had Mullins in a spin before poking low across Stech from ten yards and into the bottom left corner. Paradoxically, with the home spectators pondering their Hertfordshire neighbours' successive victories in LU1, the players jogged down the tunnel to a subdued response despite their efforts.

 

Luton returned with a fearlessness they have lacked in recent seasons. Once the talismanic Hylton dispossessed Kennedy in midfield and sent James Collins racing into the penalty area, Luke Wilkinson's task was to closely monitor the ex-Crawley marksman. Instead, he opted to shove Collins to the turf; making referee Brett Huxtable's job easy. Fryer went left, Hylton went right; prompting the inevitable taunting skip past the travelling supporters.

Boro continued to fall apart in midfield. This time Berry pinched it from Jonathan Smith and distributed to Collins on the left flank. Immediately apparent was the potential for the hosts to register another, such was the naivety of the trailing team. Collins, who has been promoted from the fourth tier on three occasions, centred for Berry. After two quick touches he unleashed a right footed curling shot into the top right corner; sealing a perfect hat-trick. Berry modestly strolled away with his finger aloft, as if startled by the sonic boom which echoed from the stands. A timid hero announcing himself.

 

A deep free-kick from Martin was Stevenage's only riposte in the second half. After Wilkinson bravely fought off a crowd of home defenders to head towards goal, substitute Kyle Wootton could only hammer off balance into row z. Stevenage were typically physically strong and direct but lacked the cohesion and pragmatism instilled during Graham Westley's tenure. 

 

Elliot Lee came on. exactly what Boro didn't want: a busy striker to further expose the tiring legs of the ailing back four. A one-two between Lee and the marauding full-back James Justin enabled the latter to rifle a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner. Six. In stoppage time the junior Lee brother was at it again, hitting the inside of Fryer's right post from the edge of the box. On the rebound, substitute and Maltese international Luke Gambin passed confidently into the net from an acute angle. The fashion of Fryer's last-ditch attempt to boot the ball off the line encapsulated the destruction.

 

In the aftermath, Sarll declared "We've disgraced our club and our town." And in this instance "we" is the important pronoun, for Sarll must shoulder some of the blame for his team's lack of structural discipline. While the Hertfordshire side's formation suited Luton, The Hatters are an outfit whose artistry in midfield and pace on the counter-attack complements a beguiling forward partnership. With a mature approach away from home, their form at Kenilworth Road could take Nathan Jones' men a long way this season.  

 

Teams (Player Ratings in Bold)

Luton Town 

Stech - 6.5, Stacey - 7.5, Mullins - 6.5, Cuthbert - 7, Justin - 7.5, Cornick - 8, (Gambin 76' - 6.5), Lee - 8, Rea - 7, (Mpanzu 65' - 6.5) Berry - 9, Hylton - 9, (Lee 82' - 7), Collins - 8.5

Stevenage

Fryer - 5.5, Henry - 4.5, Franks - 5, Wilkinson - 5, Martin - 5.5, Kennedy - 6, Smith 5, Gorman 5.5, (McKee 64' - 4), Pett - 4.5, Newton - 5, (Wootton 64' - 4.5), Godden - 5.5, (Samuelat 85')

Referee: Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 9,208 (595 Away Fans)

 

 

Link to article containing quotation from Darren Sarll post-match interview:

http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/stevenage-fc-boss-darren-sarll-rips-into-players-after-7-1-luton-humiliation-1-5236959

                                

Kane Spares England's Blushes In Hampden Draw

Words | Tom Caldon
Scotland 2-2 England
Griffiths 87',90'                          Oxlade-Chamberlain 70'
                                                    Kane 90+3'

Russia 2018 Fifa World Cup Qualifying Group F | Saturday 10th June 2017 



 

As thousands of England fans descended on Glasgow Central in June, the hostilities of this historic rivalry immediately manifested in trivial fashion. The 40p charge to use the train station toilets was a rule diligently enforced. "It's the same for all of us" sniggered one smug attendant as the swathes queued in single file.

By midday both sets of supporters lined the streets and filled the pubs surrounding Sauchiehall Street. Glasgow Royal Concert Hall was the ticket collection point for England supporters; a hospitable enclave in an uninviting city. Its smart architecture and convivial atmosphere juxtaposed the angst which permeated through the neighbouring pubs.

In Lauder's on Renfield Street the locals and travelling English interspersed. Fifty years on from Scotland's 3-2 victory over the reigning World Champions at Wembley and forty years on from another Scotland win which inspired an iconic pitch invasion, the anniversaries invoked a nervousness among the English. Pessimistic premonitions hung in the air.

England are no longer world-beaters, but Scotland have not reached a major tournament since 1998 and their qualification for the 2018 World Cup hangs in the balance. The Scottish chants and taunts did not represent a belief that their team would beat England for the first time since 1999, rather they were borne out of disdain towards the travelling supporters and their perceived arrogance. Kick-off wasn't far away and the amicable chit-chat had ceased. 

After a short train journey from Glasgow Central to Queen's Park, England fans were contained and filmed. Dog handlers lined the periphery and officers on horseback led the escort from station to stadium. Overhead, a police helicopter hovered, recorded, and observed. While risk groups were present, the mass of people also comprised older supporters, women, and children in replica shirts. It was horrible and Orwellian, but it is seemingly something everyone must endure at some point if they are to watch a game of football in 2017.

Hampden Park has the feel of many a modern stadium. Its seats glisten and uniform stands retreat from the pitch. Its modern guise belies its age, there are few wrinkles. However, climbing the red-brick steps which blend into the building's foundations and gazing at the blue exterior leaves an indelible mark on the memory. 

As the players walked out of the tunnel and trod the red carpet laid across the turf, the home crowd jumped and lifted a mosaic of St Andrew's Cross; hoping that one lion could roar louder than three and knowing that they too must play their part.

A chorus of boos drowned out 'God Save The Queen'; a disrespectful act for which the Scottish FA will inevitably be fined. As the English players postured, pushed out their chests, and tried to avoid eye contact with the cameraman who crept along the touchline, they appeared disgruntled and disturbed by the jeers which absorbed them.

The volume of 'Flower of Scotland' was astounding. So soon after tarnishing the English anthem, the home supporters impeccably observed a minute's silence in remembrance of the victims of the Manchester bombings in May. The boundaries seemed malleable. 


From Scotland's last fixture, the 1-0 home defeat of Slovenia, manager Gordon Strachan replaced Norwich captain Russell Martin with Christophe Berra in defence and James Forrest made way for Ikechi Anya in midfield. Kieran Tierney retained his position at right-back despite breaking his jaw and losing two teeth on this ground during the Scottish Cup Final two weeks ago.

In the opposing dugout, England manager Gareth Southgate made five changes from the XI who beat Lithuania 2-0 at Wembley in March. Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill deputised for Michael Keane and John Stones at the heart of defence, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Raheem Sterling made way for Jake Livermore and Marcus Rashford, Meanwhile, Captain Harry Kane replaced Jermain Defoe in attack.

In the opening minutes, cantankerous captain Scott Brown left Dele Alli in a heap with a robust challenge; showing shades of Vinnie Jones versus Steve McMahon in the 1988 FA Cup Final and setting the tone for a fractious encounter. 

After Leigh Griffiths had an early sighter from the edge of the box easily fielded by Joe Hart, England gained the upper hand. First, a quick one-two between Ryan Bertrand and Adam Lallana enabled the Liverpool midfielder to cross just behind Kane. The striker failed to connect with an attempted back-heel.

On thirty minutes, Craig Gordon erratically ventured out of his area only to head Eric Dier's lofted pass straight to Kane. The forward's astute lob was steered off the line by Tierney. Once Rashford seized upon the rebound, Gordon rectified his error with an outstretched left boot which diverted the Manchester United youngster's shot behind; an effort destined for the bottom right corner.

By half-time it was unclear whether the visitors' possession was symptomatic of their superior ball-retention or the home side's pragmatic approach. Either way, England's domination seemed relatively sterile. 

After the interval, Scotland preserving their clean sheet and Brown staying on the pitch for the remaining forty-five minutes appeared to be two equally unlikely outcomes. A pair of Livermore shots troubled the home rear-guard. Gordon needlessly shovelled the first over the bar and vacantly watched the second ricochet off Andrew Robertson and strike the base of the post.

An hour had elapsed when the hosts created their first genuine chance. Armstrong's channel ball sent Griffiths on his way. With Smalling in pursuit, the former Hibs striker rolled enticingly into the path of Robertson. With the full-back's goal-scoring prowess, Hamdpen audibly held its breath. The pressure proved too great. The ball flew wide and the token chance had gone.

Southgate's team finally broke the deadlock after seventy minutes. Substitute Oxlade-Chamberlain serendipitously stepped past Brown and glided towards the penalty spot, proceeding to unleash a left foot shot. A combination of Stuart Armstrong and the beaming sun which peered over the roof of The West End left Gordon unsighted. The Celtic keeper could only react by swiping quite comically into his own net.

Crosses into the box proved Scotland's Achilles heel at Wembley in November and England sought to double their lead via the same route in the eightieth minute. Once again, Oxlade-Chamberlain galloped in front on The South Stand before chipping towards Lallana at the back post. With an abundance of time and space the midfielder headed harmlessly over. The hosts had been given a reprieve.

As desperation deepened, Scotland became more direct. Gordon's long goal kick deceived Cahill who swivelled to inadvertently boot the chest of substitute Ryan Fraser. With Griffiths standing over the free-kick, Hart completely conceded the right side of his goal, tentatively peeking round the eight man wall which comprised six England players and two Scotland decoys.

When Griffiths curled up over the wall and into the bottom right corner of Hart's net, euphoric cries cascaded from the upper echelons of Hampden. Griffiths' equaliser and jubilant forward roll felt like a climactic moment. How unaware we were of the drama to follow.

Robertson's wedge forward was met by an ungainly header from Smalling, and the capricious Livermore slipped at the sight of the loose ball. Chris Martin - vaguely in the vicinity of Livermore's tumble - threw himself to the floor. The theatrics belonged back at the Royal Concert Hall, nonetheless, referee Paolo Tagliavento awarded another free-kick. 

From an almost identical position, Griffiths glared ominously before whipping over the wall and just inside the bottom left corner. Hart was hapless this time; his positioning was satisfactory
but the set-piece was perfect. The rippling net inspired a truly deafening noise which shook Hampden to its foundations. McCalliog, Dalglish, and now Griffiths.

As England poured forward in the dying embers, Martin was ironically penalised for an innocuous tussle with Kane. Once Gordon flapped Dier's free-kick to safety, Armstrong broke away, three on one. In this scenario, at whatever level, the best teams put the game beyond all doubt. Somehow, the Celtic midfielder passed straight to Kyle Walker.

Following a short pass to Sterling, a cross was sent towards Kane. The Spurs striker evaded Charlie Mulgrew, capitalised on Gordon's hesitancy, and calmly volleyed in from a mere five yards. The visiting supporters had their own dose of late joy.

In the lead up to the fixture, Ewan Murray argued in The Guardian that "Scotland v England means much more north of the border" and "evidence that a sense of significance works both ways is increasingly difficult to find; off the field, at least." The celebrations after Kane's goal were not just cathartic. The Auld Enemy would not accept defeat. As England fans leapt ecstatically in the South-West corner of a ground named after an Englishman, a Westminster parliamentarian who died fighting for the Roundheads in the English Civil War, it became clear once more that the paths of these two footballing nations will always be entwined.
 

 

Teams (Player Ratings in Bold)

Scotland 

Gordon - 4, Berra - 6, Mulgrew - 5, Tierney - 6.5, Anya - 6 (Martin 81' - 6), Morrison - 6, (McArthur 45' - 6), Brown - 6.5, Robertson - 7, Snodgrass - 6.5, (Fraser 67' - 6.5), Armstrong - 7, Griffiths - 8

England

Hart - 4, Walker - 6.5, Smalling - 5.5, Cahill - 6, Bertrand  - 6.5, Livermore - 5.5, (Defoe 90+2') Dier - 6, Rashford - 6, (Oxlade-Chamberlain 65' - 6.5) Alli - 6 (Sterling 84' - 6) Lallana - 7 Kane - 7.5 

 

Referee: Paolo Tagliavento

Attendance: 48,520 (4,761 away fans)

 

Photo 2 belongs to The BBC and Photo 5 belongs to The Daily Mirror