Pool reach promised land

Seasiders secure top-flight spot with sizzling Wembley victory

Last updated: 23rd May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

omerod

Ormerod: Scored match winner for Pool

Blackpool v Cardiff Ian Evatt Michael Chopra

Evatt (L) and Chopra fight for the ball

Blackpool celeb v Cardiff

Pool: Promoted to top flight
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Blackpool completed their fairytale ending by sealing promotion to the Premier League with a scorching 3-2 victory over Cardiff in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

The Seasiders unleashed a blistering first-half display on what was the hottest day of the year so far to edge out the Bluebirds 3-2 and book their spot in the top flight, worth an estimated £90million, for the first time since 1971.

The blazing heat did nothing to stop a downpour of five goals in a nail-biting opening half, with Pool twice coming from behind before surging ahead on the stroke of half-time.

And Ian Holloway's men, thought of as favourites for relegation by many ahead of this campaign, were still dangerous in the tight second half, refusing to relinquish their advantage despite a strong and at times unlucky showing from their opponents.

Charlie Adam got Pool on the scoreboard with a sizzling free-kick in the 13th minute in response to Michael Chopra's opening strike four minutes earlier.

Cardiff then went back ahead towards the end of the first half as Joe Ledley produced a superb run to slot the ball past Matt Gilks, but Pool were swift to reply once again as Gary Taylor-Fletcher headed in the equaliser from close range three minutes later.

A scrappy effort through the legs of Cardiff keeper David Marshall from Brett Ormerod in the first minute of added time wrapped up the scoring for Blackpool, who doggedly defended that lead through a goalless second half to seal their happy ending.

Blackpool - whose average home crowd of 8,611 was the second-lowest in the Championship this season - will be the smallest club in the top flight since the formation of the Premier League.

They will rub shoulders with the likes of north-west neighbours Liverpool and Manchester United next season and will probably be tipped by most pundits to finish bottom.

Energy

Yet there is an energy about Blackpool that has been evident since Holloway, 47, arrived last summer and breathed life into the club.

When the charismatic Bristolian was appointed, Blackpool were tipped to drop into League One after struggling badly during the previous campaign but they deserved their victory after defending like demons in the second half.

Cardiff fashioned the first goalscoring opportunity inside the fourth minute. A fine left-wing cross from Peter Whittingham was fired on to the angle of post and bar by Chopra, though the respite for the Seasiders was to prove short-lived.

In the ninth minute, Whittingham collected possession midway inside the Blackpool half before finding Chopra with an excellent slide-rule pass that allowed the former Newcastle striker to beat the offside trap.

Chopra struck a fierce first-time right-foot shot into the bottom left corner to give Blackpool keeper Gilks no chance whatsoever.

Yet Holloway has fashioned a side with guts and his men drew level within four minutes of falling behind.

Cardiff midfielder Stephen McPhail clumsily handled the ball 25 yards from goal and Adam stepped up to curl a delightful free-kick past Marshall and into the top right corner.

The Bluebirds were dealt another heavy blow two minutes later when striker Jay Bothroyd succumbed to injury and was replaced by Kelvin Etuhu.

However, Cardiff were back in front seven minutes before the break and Whittingham was again the architect of the goal.

Outstanding

He showed outstanding vision to spot Ledley making tracks behind the Blackpool defence and another perfect pass was clipped home left-footed from a tight angle by the Wales international.

Remarkably, Blackpool were level again three minutes later after Taylor-Fletcher volleyed against the outside of a post from 18 yards.

Cardiff cleared the ball for a corner and after defender Ian Evatt saw his shot cleared off the line by a Bluebirds defender, Taylor-Fletcher headed home from just two yards out.

And they forged ahead for the first time in the first minute of added time when DJ Campbell caused havoc inside the Cardiff penalty area and Ormerod rifled home the loose ball from eight yards.

Cardiff defender Darcy Blake had an effort ruled out for offside on the stroke of half-time and the Bluebirds' luck was out again in the 57th minute when Chopra's 20-yard strike hit the crossbar.

Cardiff brought on Ross McCormack for the ineffectual Chris Burke moments later and Ledley then headed a corner from Whittingham wide at the far post.

The Bluebirds continued to probe and Etuhu burst clear in the 64th minute only to fire straight at Gilks.

With 14 minutes remaining, Chopra headed just wide and McCormack fired into the side netting moments later as Blackpool held on for a famous and profitable victory.

BlackpoolTeam StatisticsCardiff City
3Goals2
31st Half Goals2
6Shots on Target6
5Shots off Target7
3Blocked Shots0
5Corners6
13Fouls7
2Offsides3
0Yellow Cards0
0Red Cards0
74.5Passing Success67.9
21Tackles21
81Tackles Success81
56.1Possession43.9
48.5Territorial Advantage51.5
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Comments (54)

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Peter Darke says...

Congratulations on Blackpool gaining promotion to the Premier League. What a fantastic achievement. Good luck. Peter, (Southend Utd fan).

Posted 06:59 24th May 2010

David Partington says...

How brilliant is that, blackpool is where me and my friends hung as we lived in lancashire. Blackpool in the premiership brilliant, Ive followed them over here in oz.

Posted 02:33 24th May 2010

Gary Jackson says...

the premiership just gained a manager who's a bit of the wall, but olly brought the pride back to blackpool. anyway who knows the town knows that it has been in decline for several years, not just the club but the town as well, what simon grayson started olly finished. i've lived in blackpool 42 yrs, and have watched the pride leave town, but olly you gave blackpool f.c and the town its pride back at wembley. as 1 person said 30,000 came out of the woodwork, and that can't be denied, but every fan at wembley and in the town watched with pride and awe as blackpool finally came good. please karl oyston follow olly's lead finish the ground let more of the woodwork watch their home team week in week out, and let the rest of the country come to blackpool to see a striving football team and let them see blackpool is back on the map. Ultimately the thanks goes to olly and the team and tomorrow the whole population (130,000) will be their to welcome you all back to the town you've helped to rebuild. one reporter recently called olly a numpty lets hope that he's been choking on his words since. For all those who went to wembley its was a fantastic day out my own last memory will be looking back down wembley way and seeing a sea of tangerine.

Posted 01:21 24th May 2010

David Simpson says...

get innn , that will be a wicked away day well ddone blackpool and good luck

Posted 00:09 24th May 2010

Brien Gillin says...

i was at the after party at kensington last nite ian hollways speach was the best speach have ever heard he is a true person and someone that is so down to earth, all the people from blackpool where so nice and made me feel so welcome there unlease ishie on the big boys hes pace and skills will shock them ( ishmael demontagnac )

Posted 22:29 23rd May 2010

Mick Hind says...

Makes league tables pointless.

Posted 22:25 23rd May 2010

Mike Gill says...

Very well done Blackpool. Wish you all the best for next season ................

Posted 20:26 23rd May 2010

Terry Stalley says...

From a QPR supporter well done POOL and Ollie looks like I've missed my weekend away next season, will have to go to Preston now. Enjoy the ride next season.

Posted 20:22 23rd May 2010

Tony (cardiff city - and was there!) says...

Congrats to Blackpool and especially to 'Ollie' - a true great manager - hope all goes well in the Premiership next year. I will stop being in decline one day! It does mean we can thrash Pompey and Swansea twice next season!

Posted 20:19 23rd May 2010

Ignatious Arbuckle says...

Lets get things in perspective..........Blackpool will be down next season. Blackpool fans should enjoy it while they can, it wont last long and it certainly wont be comfortable for them.

Posted 19:47 23rd May 2010

Les Hurn (blackburn fan) says...

Well done to Blackpool, another small North West club joins us. I'm sure you will work hard to stay up, not doing what Burnley did, tumbling straight back down. I was at Blackpool's ground about 5 seasons ago for a pre-season friendly; gave Blackburn a bit of a run around, & I recall the stands being bit scraggy for visitors; I'm sure you've already fixed the ground; congratulations & good luck.

Posted 19:42 23rd May 2010

Stephanie F says...

Congrats Seasiders!!! Youve done are town proud! What a great game :)

Posted 19:38 23rd May 2010

Jim Cunningham says...

Great game wrong result, Boothroyd going off made the difference.Cardiff squad not strong enough.Stick with Dave Jones please.

Posted 17:43 23rd May 2010

Peter Smith says...

Now that pool have made it,can we see the 37,000 fans turning up to games instead of the miserable 8,000 we usually get? Its a pity it took the excitement of the playoffs to generate support

Posted 16:04 23rd May 2010

Angela P says...

Well done Blackpool what an outstanding result. Good replacement for Burnley LOL. Enjoy the premiership.

Posted 14:45 23rd May 2010

Chris Ward (Liverpool fan) says...

I'm absolutely over the moon, Blackpool is like a second home for me and at the beginning of the season I was on holiday there and myself and my son went out and bought Blackpool shirts and we've followed their results eagerly. Well done to Ian Holloway and the squad for what they have achieved, i'm so pleased for them all. And I think I know who'll be receiving the honour of turning this years illuminations on, step forward Mr Holloway.

Posted 14:02 23rd May 2010

Peter Faultless says...

Well done Blackpool.Brilliant performance & result.But where oh where did those 37,000 fans come from?As for the 20,000 odd who came out of the woodwork,they should stay there. Pete

Posted 13:23 23rd May 2010

Bill Doe (Portsmouth fan) says...

Well done Blackpool you are taking our place in the premeirship (Portsmouth) I hope your directors owners learn the lesson from Pompeys demise.I used to watch Stanley Matthews etc down here at Fratton park as a kid good luck and I will be following your progress next season. Play up Pompey

Posted 12:51 23rd May 2010

Chris Mcgowan says...

Congratulations to the POOL nice to see new faces in the Prem. all we need now is for the other pool to get relegated after guaranteing 4th spot last year hope the spanish waiter guaranties they wont get relegated !!!!

Posted 12:39 23rd May 2010

Jason Farley says...

Holloway deserves to be a premeir league manager, he is top class and would do wonders at any football club. i just wish plymouth argyle kept hold of him. im sure if we did argyle would be in a much better place than they are now. congragulations Holly on your well deserved promotion im sure you'll do a fantastic job.

Posted 12:38 23rd May 2010
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