3 Points won at Carrow Rd

By Paddy
March 3 2008

Pool made the trip to Norwich, by taking a plane on the Friday, cutting any chance of suffering from travel sickness. One man missing from the squad was Paul Dickov, who was not risked on the flight as he was carrying a slight hamstring strain, and was replaced by Andy Morrell who partnered Stephen McPhee up front, who scored his first goal for the club in the emphatic win over Charlton.

The Seasiders made the brighter start in the blustery conditions but it was the home side who forced the first corner which was comfortably cleared by Ian Evatt, and the after just a quarter of an hour, Blackpool had the lead. Wes Hoolahan threaded the perfect ball through to Morrell, and although his shot was well saved, Gary Taylor-Fletcher clipped the ball back across to find McPhee, and the Scot rose at the back post to power the header past Marshall.

Pool then had opportunities to make it two shortly after, but Kaspars Gorkss headed over from close range, and Andy Morrell was denied again by a fantastic piece of goalkeeping by Marshall. Taylor-Fletcher then had an excellent opportunity, but powered his free header straight at the keeper from a Hoolahan corner.

Norwich tried to recover and forced a corner, but Pool continued to press and when the ball was threaded through by Taylor-Fletcher to McPhee, he looked destined to make it two, but pulled it back to Morrell who fired wide. Dion Dublin then had a chance at the other end getting on the end of Darren Huckerby’s cross but powered wide. Then the former Man City winger tried to win a penalty off Shaun Barker, but the referee saw straight through the disguise and waved play on.

With 5 minutes remaining before the break, Blackpool finally extended the lead. Hoolahan robbed Mark Fotheringham and took the ball forward, before threading the perfect ball into the path of McPhee, who didn’t break his stride, and let loose a fantastic drive which fizzed past Marshall and flew into the bottom corner. Blackpool settled on the second goal until half time, which was met with a round of applause from the away fans, signalling a job well done.

Half Time: Norwich City 0-2 Blackpool

Pool made a fantastic start to the second half, when their first corner was half cleared back to Hoolahan; he crossed for Evatt, but the big centre half hooked wide. McPhee came close to his hatrick and Taylor Fletcher could have made it three, but couldn’t do so, and Norwich were soon back in the game.

Jamie Cureton won a penalty for what looked like an innocuous challenge on the striker by Shaun Barker, but referee Stonebridge gave a penalty, which may have been seen as a home decision, as the fans were getting on his back, despite minimal contact and the challenge occurring outside the area. Cureton, however, dusted himself down and sent Rachubka the wrong way to give City a lifeline.

Blackpool wanted their 2 goal cushion back and McPhee thought he had clinched his hatrick on 66 minutes, only to see the flag up, and the Claus Jorgensen thought he had made it 3-1, but the assistant turned the lights out on his celebrations as well.

Norwich pressed and pressed in the last quarter of an hour, with Ched Evans coming closest for the Canaries, but he fired over, and Blackpool held on for an impressive 3 points, moving them ahead of Norwich and into the top half of the table for the first time since September.

Full Time: Norwich City 1-2 Blackpool

Pool Review: Norwich vs Blackpool

Discussion started by Tangerine-Planet.co.uk (IP Logged), 03/03/2008 19:37

Tangerine-Planet.co.uk
03/03/2008 19:37

Pool Review: Norwich vs Blackpool

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