In January 1954 Sunderland were struggling towards the lower reaches of the first division table and – as was the perennial solution to any problem at the time – the board splashed the cash to try to resolve
it.
This time, it was Birmingham’s South African born striker Ted Purdon who arrived at Roker – the 23 year old having scored 27 in 64 games since arriving in England four years earlier.
Two goals in a 5-0 win on his debut against Cardiff City at Roker Park announced his arrival in style; a much needed boost after just two wins in the previous ten games, but next up was a trip to Highbury to face reigning champions Arsenal.
It would be a tough test, no doubt, but this inconsistent Sunderland team had already beaten the Gunners earlier in the season – a remarkable 7-1 score line giving Bill Murray’s team the two points – and with new signing Purdon in the ranks, and coming off the back of a convincing win over the Bluebirds, confidence was no doubt high.
And that confidence was not misplaced, as Sunderland took the lead in what is thought to be the club’s fastest ever goal – Purdon netting after just 10 seconds, with Arsenal not even touching the ball!
In front of a packed Highbury crowd of more than 60,000 (according to press reports, ‘the Wearsiders are always a big attraction in the capital’), Sunderland kicked off and were in front immediately; Chisholm slipping the ball through to Purdon, who calmly controlled it and slipped the ball past Gunners keeper Kelsey.
The lads almost made it two moments after, with Chisholm’s shot deflected for a corner, but within six minutes Arsenal were level; Holton scoring from the edge of the box, beating Cowan just under the bar.
Both sides had opportunities to get into the lead; Lishman missing a good chance for Arsenal, and Shackleton shooting straight at Kelsey. Shack’s chance came from a Purdon knock down, and the recent signing was showing up incredibly well, turning in a lively display and causing the Arsenal defence all manner of problems.
Sunderland dictated much of a fast-paced first half, and should have had a penalty when Shackleton was brought down, but while as shaky as Arsenal were at the back, they were dangerous up front, with Lishman causing all manner of problems. Cowan in the Sunderland goal pulled off a couple of big saves to keep the score level, and the teams went in at half time with the score 1-1.
Late in the first half, Tommy Wright had injured himself in a tackle, and with no subs available he went to centre forward, with Shackleton moving to the right wing and Purdon playing inside forward.
Arsenal had a couple of dangerous moves, but Sunderland quickly exerted their strength, creating ‘several brilliant attacks’, and ‘quick, first-time passes had the Arsenal defence rocking’.
A richly deserved second goal for the lads arrived just after the hour, and it was Purdon again on the scoresheet. Billy Elliott got the ball into the box after his own surging run had been stopped, and Purdon slid in to just get there ahead of Kelsey and put the ball into the net.
Arsenal came back strongly – a terrific goalmouth scramble saw Sunderland just keep the ball out – and moments later it was 3-1; the injured Wright finding himself with only Kelsey to beat, after Purdon had gone past two men with a great run.
A lack of response to the third goal saw the Arsenal crowd of over 60,000 leave in their thousands, and there weren’t too many of them left to see Purdon complete his hat trick to make it 4-1 just before the end, the new signing slotting home after Shackleton’s brilliant cross.
Two wins and five goals in your first two games. Not a bad way for a new striker to introduce himself!
