Rival bosses George Graham and Brian Horton saved most of their praise for referee Roger Midford after a game that was as flat like a pizza. Arsenal fans bayed for big City goalkeeper Tony Coton to be sent off in the 85th minute when he deliberately handled a Keith Curle back-header a yard outside his box. Referee Milford showed a yellow card instead and then Coton produced the save of the game from Eddie McGoldrick two minutes later that was Arsenal’s best chance for a win in the game.
Brian Horton said “George Graham turned to me on the bench as soon as it happened and said he hoped we wouldn’t lose our goal keeper over the incident. I didn’t think it was a sending off offence.”
George Graham said “I wouldn’t like my goal keeper to have sent off in a similar incident. There was no real goal scoring chance on. It wasn’t a good game, although we did improve in the second half. But it is up front that we are not performing well. We are not making or taking enough scoring opportunities.”
