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The ultra-dramatic title race that changed dramatically after Christmas 50 years ago

In August 1971, Brian Clough was the sort of manager his later self might have mocked.

The brash 36-year-old upstart was in his second job alongside Peter Taylor - the formidable pair started at Hartlepool - and had led Derby to two respectable if unspectacular seasons among the elite after winning the old Second Division in 1969.

Clough held hopes of County winning the title, he admitted, ahead of the first games of the 1971-72 season, although those had disappeared by the time of the climax to one of the most epic contests the top flight has ever seen.