Blackpool 4 - 0 Coventry City

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Saturday Dec 22 2007 03:00

Blackpool celebrated manager Simon Grayson's decision to sign a new two-year contract by securing their most comprehensive win of the season.

It was the first time the Seasiders have scored four goals in the Championship this season, and it could have been many more.

Coventry were a typical Iain Dowie outfit playing hard physical football which soon got them on the wrong side of referee Anthony Thompson.

On 31 minutes he red carded City striker Kevin Kyle for a crude off-the-ball elbow on Blackpool skipper Shaun Barker.

Four more Coventry players were to follow their way into the referee's book for yellow cards for similar fouls.

A rash challenge on 28 minutes by David McNamee took out Kaspars Gorkss from behind and the referee awarded a penalty which Wes Hoolahan converted for his sixth goal of the season.

Even though Hoolahan and Michael Flynn were pulling the strings in midfield, it took a long time for Blackpool to finally make the game safe.

Time after time they fell foul of the Coventry offside trap before it was finally sprung in the 65th minute. A long ball by Barker was well controlled by Flynn who turned nicely to score from 15 yards.

Blackpool's third swiftly followed with Gorkss heading home well from Hoolahan's corner. Substitute Scott Vernon made it four on 88 minutes after a mistake by McNamee.

Coventry's problems were underlined by the fact that they didn't force Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka into one meaningful save all afternoon.

Afterwards City manager Dowie said: "That was our worst performance I've seen.

"We shall have to see what sort of character the dressing room has after that.

"We gave too many goals away just as we were beginning to get on top. I shall be looking at the video to see whether or not to appeal my players' sending off."

  • 90
    That's it, it's all over, the referee has blown the final whistle.
  • 90
    Jay Tabb goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 88
    Goal!! Blackpool have scored with Scott Vernon putting it in the back of the net.
  • 83
    Andy Morrell is replaced by Scott Vernon.
  • 76
    Leon Best is being taken off, Dele Adebola has come on in his place.
  • 76
    Michael Mifsud is replaced by Isaac Osbourne.
  • 74
    Blackpool are replacing Michael Flynn with Andy Welsh.
  • 74
    Leon Best goes into the referees book for unsporting behaviour.
  • 72
    Goal!! Kaspars Gorkss scores for Blackpool.
  • 69
    Coventry are replacing Michael Hughes with Stephen Hughes.
  • 65
    Goal!! Michael Flynn scores for Blackpool.
  • 46
    Gary Taylor-Fletcher is replaced by David Fox.
  • 46
    The second half is under way with the score currently at 1 v 0.
  • 45
    Half time whistle is blown by A Taylor
  • 41
    The referee has booked David McNamee.
  • 39
    The referee has booked Claus Jorgensen.
  • 34
    Michael Doyle is booked for unsporting behaviour.
  • 31
    It's red. He's off. Kevin Kyle has been sent off.
  • 28
    Wes Hoolahan takes a penalty for Blackpool and scores!.
  • 0
    The ref has blown his whistle and the match has started.

Statistics

Blackpool
Shots on target 6
Shots off target 9
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 13
Offsides 8
Corners 5

Coventry City
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 3
Shots off bar/post 0
Fouls 15
Offsides 5
Corners 4

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