Blackpool 2 v 2 Bolton

Bolton came from two goals down to share the spoils with Blackpool in a thrilling draw at the Reebok. Defender Ian Evatt headed the visitors ahead in the first half from a precise Elliot Grandin corner. Luke Varney headed another Grandin corner into the Bolton net to make it 2-0 just before the hour. But Martin Petrov pulled one back with a delightful volley and Mark Davies rescued the home side with a calm side-foot finish a minute from time. Before the match, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway had spoken of his admiration for Owen Coyle, who has turned Bolton into attack-minded entertainers this season. Indeed, with 26 goals from 14 matches, Wanderers came into the game unbeaten in November and with a goal tally bettered by only four Premier League sides. Yet the home side initially struggled to achieve such penetration against their Lancashire rivals and had it not been for the Seasiders' refusal to sit on a two-goal cushion Holloway could have left the Reebok with the upper hand over his opposite number (BBC Sport)

Blackpool 2, Wolves 1

PRINCE William's presence at Bloomfield Road inspired the Seasiders to a 2-1 victory over Wolves.

The Prince watched the game from a sponsor's box and was no doubt enthralled by what was another momentous afternoon by the seaside.Luke Varney opened the scoring with a superb goal just three minutes in and Marlon Harewood scored his fifth of the season on the stroke of half time.

Varney's goal was stunning, as good as any player in the Premier League could produce. Controlling Ian Evatt's long ball forward on his chest in front of the ponderous Kevin Foley, Varney stepped in from the left byline and smashed a first-time looping half-volley over Marcus Hahnemann from fully 30 yards. It was the kind of goal that very few players can score and one Varney will be telling his grand-children about. Even William looked impressed...

DJ Campbell had a shot blocked and Hahnemann saved from Hareood's low strike but in truth it was Wolves who went onto boss the half. They had 60 per cent of possession and missed good headed chances, Stephen Hunt and Kevin Doyle both missing the target after getting on the end of good crosses from left back George Elokobi. They paid for those missed chances on the stroke of half time when Varney - having a good afternoon - got on the end of David Vaughan's left wing corner and Harewood stabbed the ball home from six yards.

The second half began at a frantic pace and rarely let off...read more...

West Ham 0 - 0 Blackpool

West Ham's struggles at the foot of the table continued as they failed to break down Blackpool, who made 11 changes. The hosts dominated the first half and were unlucky to be denied a penalty when Craig Cathcart appeared to use an arm to block Victor Obinna's volley. Luis Boa Morte and Pablo Barrera wasted good chances and Carlton Cole hit the post as the Hammers continued to press. But Blackpool's Marlon Harewood was guilty of the worst miss of all when he shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Boos rang out around Upton Park at the final whistle but for a side lacking in confidence, West Ham's players produced plenty of endeavour in an entertaining encounter which lacked only a goal. Both teams had a hatful of chances to grab a late winner but the defences held out and both managers had to be satisfied with a hard-earned point. (BBC Sport)

Holloway: Fine us and I'll resign

IAN Holloway has threatened to quit as Blackpool boss if the Premier League fine the Seasiders for making ten changes at Aston Villa.

The manager is furious with suggestions the club might be punished over their starting line-up for last night's 3-2 Premier League defeat.Of the team which started against Everton on Saturday, only Keith Southern retained his place. But Holloway is 100 per cent certain he has done nothing wrong. He says he has assembled a 24-man squad, believes they are all as good as each other and has a right to pick whoever he pleases ... read more ...

Aston Villa 3 - 2 Blackpool

James Collins headed a late winner as Aston Villa recorded their first home win since August with a dramatic victory over a much-changed Blackpool. Stuart Downing put Villa ahead with a volley that deflected beyond Richard Kingson but Marlon Harewood levelled with a side-foot shot before the break. Nathan Delfouneso volleyed Villa ahead again but Blackpool equalised when a DJ Campbell shot deflected in off Collins. The defender made amends minutes later when he headed in from a corner.

The goal came as a cruel blow to a Blackpool side that featured 10 changes from the team that drew 2-2 against Everton on Saturday. Six of those players, including skipper Jason Euell, were making their first Premier League starts this term. Given that the Seasiders arrived at Villa Park in the best away form of any team in the top flight, the wholesale change seemed a curious move from Blackpool boss Ian Holloway. And yet it was the visitors who made the livelier start, Villa old-boy Harewood spurning two early chances to score on his first return to Villa Park....read more...

Pool Share The Spoils With Everton

A DISALLOWED Marlon Harewood goal in the final minute prevented Blackpool taking all three points against Everton.

After a slow start, this game turned into a pulsating contest with Pool - after struggling to keep the Toffees quiet for the first hour - ending the match on top and looking more likely to win it. It finished 2-2, with the Seasiders twice going ahead, but twice being pegged back within minutes of scoring. Neal Eardley gave Blackpool a ninth minute lead when he curled in a free kick from 25 yards. But five minutes later Tim Cahill headed in his 50th Premier League goal to put the Toffees back on level terms. Former Pool loanee Seamus Coleman, causing havoc all afternoon on the right, tested Matt Gilks with a volley and curled a left foot shot inches wide. Yakubu and the outstanding Mikel Arteta also come close. But the Seasiders responded by scoring within two minutes of the restart after half time, David Vaughan battling his way through and slamming the ball past Tim Howard. A mistake by Matt Gilks allowed Everton to equalise just two minutes later though - the Pool stopper letting Seamus Coleman's low drive squirm underneath his body. Despite chances at both ends, especially in a frantic final 10 minutes, it ended honours even. (Blackpool Today)

Blackpool 2 - 1 West Brom

Blackpool capitalised on West Brom suffering two first-half dismissals to record their first top-flight home victory since 1971. West Brom were dealt an early double blow when Pablo Ibanez was dismissed for a foul on DJ Campbell, resulting in a penalty that Charlie Adam scored. Gonzalo Jara's lunge on Luke Varney saw the Baggies reduced to nine men. Varney doubled Blackpool's lead before Youssouf Mulumbu curled in what proved to be a consolation goal for Albion. Having beaten Blackpool twice in the Championship last season and defied expectation with a superb start to this campaign, West Brom brought both belief and momentum into the game. However, two incidents in the first half - both of which saw the Baggies emerge a man lighter - swung the match in the home side's favour. (BBC Sport)