Source: Telegraph
Blackpool 2 Fulham 2: match report
England manager Fabio Capello took in Blackpool's first Premier League game at Bloomfield Road and must have felt he was on a rollercoaster ride as Dickson Etuhu ended an exciting encounter with an 87th-minute equaliser for Fulham. [LNB]Bobby Zamora, who could be called up for England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, opened the scoring for Fulham before going off with a knock in the second half. [LNB] Related ArticlesBlackpool v Fulham: liveFulham close in on Carlos SalcidoFulham 6 Port Vale 0Fulham sign defender HallicheBlackpool v Fulham: match previewTransfer TalkEtuhu had the final word but Blackpool have now taken a heartening four points from three games in the top flight. [LNB]Varney almost put Blackpool ahead in the third minute. He tested goalkeeper David Stockdale - another possible England candidate - from the edge of the area in the third minute, the keeper reacting to see the ball to safety. [LNB]Blackpool had the ball in the net after 18 minutes but Brett Ormerod's header following a cross from Charlie Adam was ruled out for offside. [LNB]Varney was looking lively and skipped past Pantsil two minutes later, only to find the wrong side of the post with his effort. [LNB]Fulham responded and Etuhu saw his header from inside blocked after a corner by Damien Duff. [LNB]Fulham carved out a good chance in the 26th minute when Zamora worked his way into the area and tried to release Simon Davies. [LNB]But Alex Baptiste stood firm and made a crucial challenge just as his opponent was about to shoot. [LNB]Fulham made the breakthrough in the 35th minute with a simple move that split the Blackpool defence. [LNB]Duff slipped the ball through to Moussa Dembele, who delivered it into the centre and Zamora sent a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Matt Gilks. [LNB]With the England squad about to be announced, it was good moment for Zamora to stress his aerial ability. [LNB]Fulham were keen to build on their lead and Zamora got goal-side of Stephen Crainey in the 49th minute but failed to put enough power on his shot and Gilks made the save. [LNB]Back came Blackpool and Ian Evatt's effort troubled Stockdale but he recovered with Ormerod handily placed to capitalise on any mistake. [LNB]Now it was Fulham's turn to come under some pressure and Stockdale spilled the ball following a challenge by Varney in the 61st minute. [LNB]It fell to Elliot Grandin and he found the net but again Blackpool were out of luck. [LNB]Referee Mike Oliver ruled that Stockdale had been fouled and disallowed Grandin's effort leaving manager Ian Holloway incensed on the touchline [LNB]Blackpool drew level in the 70th minute when Varney's shot came off Aaron Hughes and back to Pantsil, who lost his bearings and diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper. [LNB]With Zamora going off after taking a knock Fulham appeared to have lost their way a little. [LNB]And Blackpool took the lead in the 76th minute to send the home fans in the 15,529 crowd into dreamland. [LNB]It was new recruit Varney who took the plaudits with a glorious finish across Stockdale after a defence-splitting pass by Ormerod. [LNB]That goal only sparked Fulham into life, however and they drew level in the 87th minute when Etuhu sent a delicate lob over Gilks after being released by Dembele.[LNB]
