Alious
On Christmas Day 1952, a struggling Sunderland team, sitting 19th in Division O
ne, welcomed title-chasing Manchester United to Roker Park.
The fixture was part of a demanding holiday schedule that would see the teams meet again at Old Trafford the very next day.
Sunderland, having just beaten Liverpool, were seeking consecutive victories for the first time that season, despite missing key players Len Shackleton, Tommy Reynolds, and Ivor Broadis through injury.
Matt Busby brought his star-studded United side to Wearside, featuring internationals Tommy Brogan, John Aston Sr, Johnny Carey, and England forwards Jack Rowley and Stan Pearson, along with their record £11,000 signing, goalkeeper Reg Allen.
Over 40,000 festive spectators abandoned their Christmas dinners to witness the encounter.
The match began dramatically, with United taking the lead after just two minutes. A floated free-kick eluded local defender Bill Walsh, allowing John Aston to control and finish past Mapson. However, Sunderland’s response was swift.
Within three minutes, Tommy Wright’s curling free-kick, won by the physical Trevor Ford, was mishandled by Allen into his own net.
The frost-hardened pitch made elegant football impossible, with both teams struggling for control.
Ford played on despite injury in an era before substitutions were permitted.
After the break, Sunderland adapted better to the conditions, employing a direct approach through wide men Willie Watson and Wright.
Their persistence paid off in the 62nd minute through a flowing move: Watson’s cross found Dickie Davis, whose volley was parried by Allen only for Wright to score his second from the rebound.
The home defense, marshaled by Walsh and Tommy McLain, held firm against United’s celebrated attack.
A dramatic finale saw Mapson produce an extraordinary double save, first from Don Gibson’s powerful shot and then from the lurking Aston, preserving Sunderland’s 2-1 victory.
The win elevated Sunderland to their highest position of the season, 16th, while dealing a blow to United’s title ambitions ahead of their immediate rematch at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
Alious
