Before Nottingham Forest face Aston Villa in the Europa League, we look at seven other all-English semi-final clashes in Europe
There can be few more enjoyable feelings for an away player than to silence Anfield. Billy Bremner did so in the first leg of this tie when he headed home unmarked to score what turned out to be the only goal across 180 minutes of action. John Toshack tried to respond but his shot was blocked on the line as Leeds’ fearsome defence defied Liverpool. “If you miss chances like we did, you do not deserve to win,” Bill Shankly said. The clubs were at the top of their game under Shankly and Don Revie and Liverpool had defeated Leeds in the 1965 FA Cup final after extra time, creating a heated rivalry. Bremner had struggled badly with injury in the 1970-71 season and was made to prove his fitness in a friendly against Bradford the day before the match at Anfield, something modern sports scientists would not suggest but which clearly worked. He was recalled to the lineup and ignited Leeds’ charge to winning the trophy. They beat Juventus on away goals in the final.
Injuries caused problems for both sides, prompting Chelsea to select the South African Derek Smethurst in place of Peter Osgood. The move was rewarded when the former Durban City forward settled the first leg with a fine finish. “It went over my right shoulder and as it bounced I hit it with no back swing and it was a sweet connection – it’s the most difficult strike in the book because you’re running forward and the ball is coming from behind you,” Smethurst said. City were forced to play their reserve goalkeeper Ron Healey in the second leg and he gifted Chelsea an away goal, dropping a simple cross from Keith Weller into his own net to leave City needing three for victory. They chased the game but the task was well beyond them and Chelsea went on to face Real Madrid, beating them in a replay.
