Saturday 23rd April
KO 3pm
Pre Match:
After a rollercoaster ride in Blackpool’s first season back in the big time since 1971, relegation fears had all of a sudden become very real at Bloomfield Road. With only 5 games remaining, the Seasiders found themselves in the bottom 3 for the first time this season, but knowing that 3 points would see them leapfrog a couple of teams up to 16th place. Newcastle, however, find themselves sitting in a rather comfortable looking 9th position in the table, probably safe, yet not mathematically assured yet. With games away to both Liverpool and Chelsea still to come for the Toon Army, Alan Pardew’s men would be looking for 3 points against Blackpool.
The home side made 3 changes to their side after defeat at home to Wigan last time out, David Vaughan, Alex Baptiste and Matt Philips all getting the nod. Meanwhile, there was only one difference to the Newcastle side that drew 0-0 with Man Utd last week, with captain Kevin Nolan returning to skipper the side, replacing Danny Guthrie, having served a 2 match suspension.
Match Action
In a game of big decisions and controversy, the first real chance fell to Blackpool and a strong claim for a penalty. A long ball up the field found the head of Gary Taylor-Fletcher, knocking the ball down to DJ Campbell, beating Williamson to a 50-50 ball, before hitting the deck. Replays show the centre half getting none of the ball, and maybe a clip of the front man, but no penalty awarded by Martin Atkinson, leaving Mike Williamson a relived man.
 |
| Great strike for 1-0 |
Misplaced passes allowed Blackpool a couple of half chances for Taylor-Fletcher to open the scoring, but it was the Toon Army who broke the deadlock. Barton seizing upon a mistake in the Blackpool defence, slipped the ball to Lovenkrands, who fired passed the ‘keeper from 22 yards. A tidy finish from the Dane, 1-0 Newcastle.
An increasingly scrappy half saw Newcastle take their foot of the gas a little and gave Blackpool their second big shout for a penalty. Jose Enrique playing a suicidal pass across his own area, where it was touched passed Krul in the goal by Campbell, before seemingly being taken out by the Dutch stopper. Ian Holloway was going crazy on the sideline, but it was a fantastic save by the impressive Krul, tipping the ball away from the striker before any contact was made. Another good decision from the referee.
Blackpool wouldn’t be denied, and like so much good that’s happened for them this season, it came through a Charlie Adam corner kick. The ball fizzed in toward the near post, being cleverly flicked on by Campbell, whose shot appeared to have been cleared off the line. However, the linesman’s flag was raised and a goal given. Jose Enrique the guilty party, standing a yard behind the line to try and clear the ball.
Before halftime, another big shout for a penalty for the home side, this time for handball. Simpson in possession in the area slipping over and accidentally touching the ball with both hands. A clear hand ball, that would have been harsh on the Mancunian.
The second half started as the first one ended, Blackpool pressuring with Newcastle playing very much on the counter attack. But the second half never really hit the same pace as the first, with the visitors looking increasingly happy to settle for a point, with the hosts coming close on twice through free kicks by Adam and Eardley, as well as Taylor-Fletcher wasting another chance, heading inches over the crossbar.
Stephen Ireland made another substitute appearance, but it was Blackpool who came closest to snatching all 3 points. More sloppy defensive play from the visitors allowed the ball the bobble through to Charlie Adam, who’s low drive clattered off the bottom of Krul’s post and out of play.
Post Match Thoughts:
After a bright start, Newcastle seemed to fade during the game, seemingly happy to take a draw. Had this been earlier in the season, it would have been a bit of a worry to see such a lack of ambition against a struggling side like Blackpool, but with the side now on 41 points and probably playing Premier League football next year, maybe a point isn’t so bad. Blackpool will feel they deserved more and could have had more than one penalty, but on this day they got none of them. Maybe a contentious equaliser makes up for not winning the penalties.
Man of the Match:
Blackpool’s DJ Campbell was a livewire throughout the match, not allowing Coloccini and Williamson a moment to breathe. Got one goal, could have had a few more on a better day for the front man.
 |
| DJ Campbell - threat |
No comments:
Post a Comment