ON THIS DAY

Who said that opposing fans can't help each other out? Going into their Premier Division match against Arsenal at the Riverside Middlesbrough were on a high. Only one home League defeat in 36 matches, a 7-match unbeaten League run and only one League goal conceded at the Riverside in 1999. By the time Arsenal had taken a 6-0 lead hordes of home fans had shown their displeasure by heading home early. But in the 87th minute Middlesbrough scored a consolation goal with Alun Armstrong heading home from an Andy Townsend free-kick. The trouble was there were hardly any Middlesbrough fans left in the ground to celebrate the goal. Sensing the problem the away fans cheered the Middlesbrough goal as if it was one of their own. Thoughtful or what!

Iceland's Eiður Guðjohnsen was probably best known in the English game for the goalscoring partnership he formed with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Chelsea but he also made League appearances for Bolton, Spurs, Stoke and Fulham. His debut for Iceland came on April 24th 1996 in a friendly against Estonia in Tallinn and it certainly made the footballing headlines - he came on as substitute for his dad! He and dad Arnór Guðjohnsen were both in the squad for the Estonia match - Arnór played in the first half with Eiður replacing him as sub in the second half. It was definitely a newsworthy footballing first! Iceland's next match was a home fixture and the plan was that father and son would play alongside each other on home soil in that game but sadly before that could happen Eiður broke his leg and he didn't regain fitness until after his dad had retired - much to the great disappointment of both players.

Luton Town beat the strong favourites and cup holders Arsenal to win the Littlewoods (League) Cup in front of 95,732 at Wembley. It was decided in the final 10 minutes when Luton saved a penalty and then scored an equaliser and a winner. It was the first major piece of silverware the Hatters had won – and then they broke the trophy during their celebrations!