Goalkeeping Museum

Montgomery saves Sunderland

This save is probably one of the most perfect moments captured on film for any goalkeeper: Scottish stopper, Jim Montgomery pulled off the perfect double save at the perfect moment during the 1973 FA Cup Final for Sunderland against Leeds.

Watch the save on video above.

That this save happened in an FA Cup Final makes it special, but just look at the reaction of the players – two Leeds men are celebrating, and the referee looks like he is about to award the goal too when Montgomery’s excellent second reaction save tips the ball onto the bar and away to safety.

Sunderland won the match 1-0, making this save a crucial intervention.

Little wonder, then, that Sunderland’s then manager Bob Stokoe ran straight to his number one on the final whistle, and pronounce him the difference between the two sides, telling the world what he already knew: that Montgomery really was this good.