Blackpool made one change to the starting line up from midweek, as Claus Jorgensen was forced to miss out with a tight hamstring, meaning Keith Southern returned to partner Michael Flynn in the centre of midfield, who set out to try and impress Wales assistant boss Brian Flynn, after stating that he would be delighted if he was given the chance to represent his country.

The game started as it meant to go on, with Cardiff making the early running, and it wasn’t long before they had made their pressure pay, when former Pool man Trevor Sinclair crossed to Stephen McPhail with the aid of a touch from Ian Evatt, and the former Leeds midfielder fired home a fantastic opener, giving Rachubka no chance in the Blackpool goal.

Blackpool tried to hit back immediately through Michael Flynn’s shot from long range after ten minutes which went just wide, and then the midfielder came forward again, but this time his shot his Gavin Rae, which swirled just wide with Enckelman struggling. Wes Hoolahan then took on all of South Wales down the right, and after beating the lot, he squared it beautifully to Stephen McPhee, whose first effort was scuffed, and when the ball fell to him again, Purse smothered any lingering hopes of a goal.

Half Time: Cardiff City 1-0 Blackpool

Blackpool looked to change things immediately at the start of the second half, making two changes at the break. David Fox made a rare appearance, replacing Flynn, and Paul Dickov was brought on to add experience and intelligence up front, replacing Burgess.

Blackpool were soon two behind though, as McPhail found Capaldi, and he found Sinclair, and the man who started his career at Blackpool was in no mood to help them out of their relegation difficulties, as he swept home to double the host’s advantage.

Blackpool were in freefall, and soon after the Bluebirds put the game beyond doubt with a third on the hour mark. Young midfielder Aaron Ramsey was given a criminal amount of space and time to pick his pass, and he chose the right one, threading a perfect ball for Peter Whittingham who slotted past Rachubka with ease for his ninth of the season.

Blackpool then brought on the man who loves Wales as it gives him the perfect chance to fill his boots. Four on his last visit, and he started his goal scoring career at Wrexham, Andy Morrell is a man who knows what to do in Wales. He came on for McPhee after 65 minutes, and all of a sudden, with the help of Morrell and Keith Southern, Blackpool had more drive and purpose.

For this new found belief, Blackpool soon got their reward. Good work from Dickov down the left allowed him some room to get a cross in, and he picked out Morrell at the back post, who pounced to score his 4^th of the season, and his first since October. Morrell has come in for some stick recently due to his lack in form in front of goal, but this one may well give him confidence to go on and score more goals in the run in to avoid relegation.

Despite Blackpool’s possession, they failed to open up the home side again, and it wasn’t until the final few seconds when they had another chance, when Keith Southern was free and he slotted home, only for it to be ruled offside. Unlucky for Southern, who for the full game had been the seasider’s top player, and a goal would have been the least he deserved.

It finished soon after, moving the Bluebirds within 4 points of the playoffs, and the Seasiders just 2 points above the drop zone, meaning that next weekend’s crunch game with Sheffield Wednesday gets bigger and bigger.

Full Time: Cardiff City 3-1 Blackpool

My Man of the Match: Keith Southern

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