Match Report: Leicester City 4-3 Manchester United (16 April 1963)
On a thrilling Easter Sunday afternoon at Filbert Street, Leicester City edged out Manchester United in a seven-goal classic, featuring the rare spectacle of two players scoring hat-tricks in the same match.
The opening half-hour was a tense affair, with both sides feeling each other out in front of a packed crowd. But once the deadlock was broken, the match exploded into life. Leicester’s Terry Heath, deputising for the injured Mike Stringfellow, fired the Foxes ahead before Denis Law quickly restored parity for United.
What followed was six minutes of footballing mayhem. Leicester’s Ken Keyworth turned the game on its head, scoring a stunning hat-trick in just six minutes, each goal expertly set up by Howard Riley’s precise crossing. The home crowd roared in disbelief as City surged into a commanding lead.
But if Leicester thought they had broken United’s spirit, Denis Law had other ideas. The Scottish forward struck twice more, completing his own hat-trick in breathtaking style, including a sublime bicycle kick that left the Filbert Street faithful applauding in admiration.
Despite United’s relentless fightback, Leicester held on for a famous 4-3 victory, securing two crucial points that propelled them to the top of the First Division, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.
While the Foxes’ dreams of a league and cup double would ultimately slip away, this unforgettable encounter remained a defining moment of their legendary ‘Ice Kings’ season.
