DJ Campbell scored the only goal of the game as Blackpool took yet another step to safety against a Stoke side previously unbeaten in their last five outings.
The game had been dubbed the ‘Stanley Matthews derby’ and marked a day of celebration to remember the great that Pele once described as “the man that taught the world to play football.”
Forget kiss-me-quick hats, stag does and the pleasure beach – Blackpool has a new attraction – the endeavour and never-say-die attitude of the team with the smallest budget in the league. Ian Holloway has masterminded a fearless approach which not only entertains but reaps rewards. Just like a bed and breakfast this time of year, the Seasiders have no vacancies in their squad either for passengers.
Despite only a 1-0 scoreline, both sides created a number of chances that could have seen a repeat of last years score in the third round of the Carling Cup which ended 4-3 to the Potters. DJ Campbell’s predatory strike secured the visitors fourth away of the season and despite Stoke having 19 attempts at goal, a dubious disallowed goal and three attempts off the woodwork, Blackpool’s slick passing game and ability to keep the ball so well in the middle of the field helped them secure another famous win.
Skipper Charlie Adam was influential for the visitors and showed why clubs are starting to sniff around for his services as we head into the January transfer window. Before the game, Stoke boss Tony Pulis had highlighted this game as one of his side’s toughest tests as his good friend Holloway brought his organised team to the Potteries attempting to emulate the achievements of Stoke and establish themselves in the Premier League whilst everyone around them has written them off.
Blackpool started the game very sluggishly considering they haven’t played for two weeks following their weather-enforced lay-off and Stoke’s forward line of Kenywne Jones and Ricardo Fuller caused early nervous moments for the visitors.
The two combined to fashion Stoke's first shot on goal as Jones cushioned down Rory Delap's long cross only to see his strike-partner's fierce half-volley blocked by Craig Cathcart.
Jones continued to threaten - with a header and scuffing a shot wide - and was left exasperated as Etherington failed to pick him out on a swift counter-attack.
Blackpool struggled to muster such attacking threat, but came closest to opening the scoring as Andy Wilkinson's last-ditch intervention proved just enough to deny Luke Varney before Campbell hooked a volley wide.
Neil Eardley's long-range shot, which endangered the top tier of the stand rather than Stoke's net, was more representative of their early efforts however as they struggled to secure the possession to feed their passing game.
But a tight offside decision went against the visitors as Campbell bore down on Asmir Begovic's goal from Varney's through-ball leaving the game evenly balanced at the interval.
It took Campbell just three minutes into the second half to give his side the lead. Luke Varney’s cutback was missed by Adam but Campbell, a key figure in Blackpool's promotion from the Championship, flicked out a foot ahead of Robert Huth to divert past Begovic.
Stoke fans know only too well that their side save their best till last with 17 of their 21 league goals coming in the second half. The crowd raised the volume hoping for a response and an equaliser to maintain their good run but their efforts were in vain as the visitors refused to be penned back.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher came close to doubling Blackpool’s advantage with a powerful far-post header which rattled the cross bar after excellent work from Adam to work the ball into the Stoke box.
Pulis began to search for a ‘Plan B’ with the game entering the final stages, bringing on Jon Walters and Tuncay, to try and regain the momentum and the changes seemed justified as Blackpool were immediately forced onto the back foot with an Etherington free-kick and Huth header causing problems in the Blackpool box.
The visitors however managed to hold on and unlike at the Reebok in their last outing, refused to loosen their grip on the three points. The result is a huge three points for newly promoted Blackpool and yet again proves this league is the most open and unpredictable Premier League for some time.
The game had been dubbed the ‘Stanley Matthews derby’ and marked a day of celebration to remember the great that Pele once described as “the man that taught the world to play football.”
Forget kiss-me-quick hats, stag does and the pleasure beach – Blackpool has a new attraction – the endeavour and never-say-die attitude of the team with the smallest budget in the league. Ian Holloway has masterminded a fearless approach which not only entertains but reaps rewards. Just like a bed and breakfast this time of year, the Seasiders have no vacancies in their squad either for passengers.
Despite only a 1-0 scoreline, both sides created a number of chances that could have seen a repeat of last years score in the third round of the Carling Cup which ended 4-3 to the Potters. DJ Campbell’s predatory strike secured the visitors fourth away of the season and despite Stoke having 19 attempts at goal, a dubious disallowed goal and three attempts off the woodwork, Blackpool’s slick passing game and ability to keep the ball so well in the middle of the field helped them secure another famous win.
Skipper Charlie Adam was influential for the visitors and showed why clubs are starting to sniff around for his services as we head into the January transfer window. Before the game, Stoke boss Tony Pulis had highlighted this game as one of his side’s toughest tests as his good friend Holloway brought his organised team to the Potteries attempting to emulate the achievements of Stoke and establish themselves in the Premier League whilst everyone around them has written them off.
Blackpool started the game very sluggishly considering they haven’t played for two weeks following their weather-enforced lay-off and Stoke’s forward line of Kenywne Jones and Ricardo Fuller caused early nervous moments for the visitors.
The two combined to fashion Stoke's first shot on goal as Jones cushioned down Rory Delap's long cross only to see his strike-partner's fierce half-volley blocked by Craig Cathcart.
Jones continued to threaten - with a header and scuffing a shot wide - and was left exasperated as Etherington failed to pick him out on a swift counter-attack.
Blackpool struggled to muster such attacking threat, but came closest to opening the scoring as Andy Wilkinson's last-ditch intervention proved just enough to deny Luke Varney before Campbell hooked a volley wide.
Neil Eardley's long-range shot, which endangered the top tier of the stand rather than Stoke's net, was more representative of their early efforts however as they struggled to secure the possession to feed their passing game.
But a tight offside decision went against the visitors as Campbell bore down on Asmir Begovic's goal from Varney's through-ball leaving the game evenly balanced at the interval.
It took Campbell just three minutes into the second half to give his side the lead. Luke Varney’s cutback was missed by Adam but Campbell, a key figure in Blackpool's promotion from the Championship, flicked out a foot ahead of Robert Huth to divert past Begovic.
Stoke fans know only too well that their side save their best till last with 17 of their 21 league goals coming in the second half. The crowd raised the volume hoping for a response and an equaliser to maintain their good run but their efforts were in vain as the visitors refused to be penned back.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher came close to doubling Blackpool’s advantage with a powerful far-post header which rattled the cross bar after excellent work from Adam to work the ball into the Stoke box.
Pulis began to search for a ‘Plan B’ with the game entering the final stages, bringing on Jon Walters and Tuncay, to try and regain the momentum and the changes seemed justified as Blackpool were immediately forced onto the back foot with an Etherington free-kick and Huth header causing problems in the Blackpool box.
The visitors however managed to hold on and unlike at the Reebok in their last outing, refused to loosen their grip on the three points. The result is a huge three points for newly promoted Blackpool and yet again proves this league is the most open and unpredictable Premier League for some time.
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