the Manchester City defence was the best FA Cup Final goal
ever scored; but were they present in 1985 when, aged just
20, Big Norm scored in the second FA Cup Final of his
career? There are arguments on both sides for the technical
merits of the two goals, but for overall importance surely
nothing can match Whiteside’s effort. United were down to
ten men, and for the first time in match were starting to
struggle. The injustice of the red card was difficult to
swallow, especially as Gary Stevens committed an identical
offence later in the match and escaped without even a
booking. After Moran had left the field, United attacked and
Everton were on the back foot; but by the second half of
extra time the extra man advantage was starting to tell. A
spell of Everton pressure led to the ball landing at Jesper
Olsen’s feet just outside his own penalty area. He waved his
hand forward, urging on those ahead of him and then found
Hughes – back to goal just outside the centre circle.
Showing trademark strength Hughes held off Bracewell and
then turned and sent Whiteside off along the right flank.
Tracked by three defenders, on the edge of the area and with
only Gordon Strachan attempting to keep up for support –
Whiteside hardly looked threatening. Neville Southall, one
of the best keepers of his era, and an impossible angle
stood before him. Whiteside stepped over the ball and
released a curling left footed shot that managed to find the
one spot of the goal that Southall couldn’t cover. United
were one – nil up and Norman’s legend was confirmed.