AZ Alkmaar defeated Greek side Larissa 1-0 at home in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night to overtake Town's European ongoing home unbeaten streak. AZ, who coincidentally were the Blues' opponents in the 1981 UEFA Cup final, took their run to 32 matches.

The Dutch side, managed by Louis Van Gaal, one of the coaches linked with the England job, equalled Town's total with a draw against Portuguese side Paços de Ferreira in early October.

The Blues' 31-match unbeaten record stretches back to the European Cup preliminary round tie with Maltese club Floriana in September 1962, which was won 10-0, to the 1-0 home UEFA Cup second round victory over Czech side Slovan Liberec in October 2002.

In the middle of that run, Town defeated AZ 3-0 in the first leg of the 1981 UEFA Cup final, completing the job by restricting the Dutch side to a 4-2 win in Holland.

AZ began their home unbeaten run in 1977, when they thrashed the fantastically named Red Boys Differdange of Luxembourg 11-1.

Town will re-enter the record books if AZ's streak is broken further on in their UEFA Cup campaign, possibly at the hands of Everton. The Toffeemen travel to the DSB Stadion on Thursday, 20th December for their group game.

Photo: Action Images

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