The 1973–74 season was Leeds United's tenth consecutive season in the First Division and the second season in which they won the First Division. Along with the First Division, Leeds United competed in the UEFA Cup and the FA Cup during the 1973–74 season. The season covers the period from 1 July 1973 to 30 June 1974.
Squad
Season summary Having lost in the finals of the Cup Winners Cup and the FA Cup in 1972–73, manager Don Revie considered a move to Everton, but remained with Leeds after the move broke down due to a new law that prevented wage rises to curb inflation. Continuing with what was largely the same squad as during the previous season, he told them his aim was to go unbeaten throughout the season. Leeds started the season well, winning their first 7 league games. This run ended on 22 September when Leeds were held to a 0–0 draw by Manchester United. On 8 October, Leeds were knocked out of the League cup in the Second Round by Ipswich Town. After finding success in the first two rounds of the UEFA Cup, he played weakened teams to allow an early exit from the UEFA Cup, in order to allow his team to focus on the league. Leeds were knocked out in the third round by Vitória FC. At the start of 1974, Leeds were 8 points clear of second placed Liverpool with 19 games remaining and still remaining unbeaten. On 23 February 1974, Leeds lost their first league game, losing 3–2 away to Stoke. Leeds would lose 3 more times in the 1973–74 season, but they won the 1973–74 title going 29 matches unbeaten. This was still a record unbeaten start to a league campaign in the 20th century, and not bettered until Arsenal's 2003–04 campaign. In total Leeds lost just 4 league games and remained in first place for almost the entire campaign. At the end of the season, manager Don Revie left to manage the England national team.
Competitions
First Division
League table
Results by matchday
Results WinDrawLoss + First Division match detailsDateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendance25 August 1973EvertonHome3–1Bremner, Giles, Jones39,32528 August 1973ArsenalAway2–1Lorimer, Madeley47,4291 September 1973Tottenham HotspurAway3–0Bremner (2), Clarke42,8015 September 1973Wolverhampton WanderersHome4–1Lorimer (2, 1 pen.), Jones, Bremner39,9468 September 1973Birmingham CityHome3–0Lorimer (3, 1 pen.)39,73611 September 1973Wolverhampton WanderersAway2–0Jones, Clarke36,98015 September 1973SouthamptonAway2–1Clarke (2)27,77022 September 1973Manchester UnitedHome0–0—47,05829 September 1973Norwich CityAway1–0Giles31,9936 October 1973Stoke CityHome1–1Jones36,56213 October 1973 Leicester CityAway2–2Jones, Bremner36,97820 October 1973LiverpoolHome1–0Jones44,91127 October 1973Manchester CityAway1–0Bates45,3463 November 1973West Ham UnitedHome4–1Bates, Jones (2), Clarke36,86910 November 1973BurnleyAway0–0—37,89417 November 1973Coventry CityHome3–0Clarke, Jordan, Bremner35,55224 November 1973Derby CountyAway0–0—36,0031 December 1973Queens Park RangersHome2–2Bremner, Jones32,1948 December 1973Ipswich TownAway3–0Yorath, Jones, Clarke27,11015 December 1973ChelseaAway2–1Jordan, Jones40,76822 December 1973Norwich CityHome1–0Yorath34,74726 December 1973Newcastle UnitedAway1–0Madeley54,47429 December 1973Birmingham CityAway1–1Jordan50,4511 January 1974Tottenham HotspurHome1–1Jones46,54512 January 1974SouthamptonHome2–1Jones, Jordan35,00019 January 1974EvertonAway0–0—55,8112 February 1974ChelseaHome1–1Cherry41,5105 February 1974ArsenalHome3–1 Simpson (o.g.), Jordan (2)26,7789 February 1974Manchester UnitedAway2–0Jones, Jordan60,02523 February 1974Stoke CityAway2–3Bremner, Clarke39,59826 February 1974Leicester CityHome1–1Lorimer (pen.)30,4892 March 1974Newcastle UnitedHome1–1Clarke46,6119 March 1974Manchester CityHome1–0Lorimer (pen.)36,57816 March 1974LiverpoolAway0–1—56,00323 March 1974BurnleyHome1–4Clarke39,33530 March 1974West Ham UnitedAway1–3Clarke37,4806 April 1974Derby CountyHome2–0Lorimer, Bremner37,83813 April 1974Coventry CityAway0–0—35,18215 April 1974Sheffield UnitedHome0–0—41,14016 April 1974Sheffield UnitedAway2–0Lorimer (2, 1 pen.)39,97220 April 1974Ipswich TownHome3–2Lorimer, Bremner, Clarke44,01527 April 1974Queens Park RangersAway1–0Clarke35,353
FA Cup
WinDrawLoss + FA Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendance5 January 1974Wolverhampton WanderersAway1–1Lorimer (pen.)38,1329 January 1974Wolverhampton WanderersHome1–0Jones42,74726 January 1974Peterborough UnitedAway4–1Lorimer, Jordan (2), Yorath28,00016 February 1974Bristol CityAway1–1Bremner37,00019 February 1974Bristol CityHome0–1—47,128
League Cup
WinDrawLoss + League Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendanceSecond round8 October 1973Ipswich TownAway0–2—26,385
UEFA Cup WinDrawLoss + UEFA Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentVenueResultF–AScorersAttendance19 September 1973StrømsgodsetAway1–1Clarke16,2763 October 1973StrømsgodsetHome6–1Clarke (2), Jones (2), Gray, Bates18,71124 October 1973HibernianHome0–0—27,1456 November 1973HibernianAway0–0 —36,05128 November 1973VitóriaHome1–0Cherry14,19612 December 1973VitóriaAway1–3Liddell14,576
Notes
References