Blackpool 2 - 2 Fulham
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By Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Bloomfield Road |
Dickson Etuhu's late equaliser rescued a point for Fulham and denied Blackpool a deserved victory as top-flight football made its return to Bloomfield Road after 39 years.
Manager Ian Holloway's newly-promoted Tangerines looked on course for a momentous three points as they came from behind after Bobby Zamora - watched by England coach Fabio Capello - headed Fulham into a first-half lead.
Blackpool's patient passing approach and attacking verve was rewarded when John Pantsil turned Luke Varney's shot into his own net with 19 minutes remaining.
Varney then sent Blackpool's fans into wild celebrations five minutes later as he finished in style from 12 yards after racing on to Brett Ormerod's through ball.
Blackpool have lessons to learn - Holloway
But with three minutes left and Bloomfield Road counting down the seconds to the final whistle, Etuhu raced clear on to Moussa Dembele's pass to beat Matt Gilks.
It was a point Fulham barely deserved after the home side dominated for long periods, but Holloway will take great encouragement from his team's display against a side that reached the Europa League final in May.
After the Premier League made a delayed debut at Blackpool to allow work to be completed on Bloomfield Road's new East Stand, Fulham felt the force of the backing that Holloway hopes will play a crucial part in their attempt to survive in the top flight this season.
And despite the disappointment of seeing victory snatched from them late on, the Seasiders can reflect on a respectable start of four points from their opening three games and a strong recovery from the potentially damaging 6-0 loss at Arsenal.
Their modest Lancashire ground was awash with tangerine to welcome Premier League football - and Holloway's side opened up in a manner fitting for the occasion.
Debutant Varney, signed on a season-long loan from Derby County, almost provided the perfect start with a powerful volley that Fulham keeper David Stockdale was happy to block to safety.
 England boss Capello was watching ahead of Euro 2012 qualifiers
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And Blackpool thought they had taken the lead when Ormerod directed a header beyond Stockdale from Stephen Crainey's cross, but the celebrations were cut short as it was correctly ruled out for offside.
Varney also fired across goal as Blackpool pressed for the breakthrough - but it was Fulham who went ahead against the run of play 10 minutes before the interval.
Dembele appeared to foul Ian Evatt as he chased Damien Duff's pass, but referee Mike Oliver waved play on and he crossed for Zamora to head emphatically beyond Gilks.
Zamora left the action on the hour, to be replaced by Clint Dempsey, after taking a heavy knock - a moment which brought a look of concern to the face of watching England manager Capello.
Blackpool then had the ball in the net again through Elliott Grandin, but the goal was ruled out for Varney's earlier challenge on Stockdale - a borderline decision by referee Oliver.
The home side's deserved reward came with 19 minutes left, although they required a touch of good fortune to draw level. Stockdale parried Varney's shot as it flashed across the face of goal, but the incoming Pantsil could only divert the ball into his own net.
If this brought scenes of elation, they were nothing compared to the wall of sound that greeted Varney's goal to put the Tangerines ahead five minutes later.
Hughes targets more points on the road
Ormerod was the creator with a neat pass, and Varney capped an outstanding personal display by drilling a finish low past Stockdale.
Blackpool looked to be closing in on the win, but Dembele opened up their defence and former Preston man Etuhu applied a composed finish to earn Fulham a third consecutive draw.
Gilks then saved well from Simon Davies in injury time to ensure Holloway's men claimed the point that was the least they deserved.
Live text and stats
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Premier League
| Home Team | Score | Away Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackpool | 2-2 | Fulham | FT |
| (HT 0-1) | |||
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|
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Blackpool
- 21 Gilks
- 03 Crainey
- 06 Evatt (Eardley 64)
- 15 Baptiste
- 20 Cathcart
- 11 Vaughan yellow card
- 14 Grandin
- 26 Adam
- 10 Ormerod
- 12 Taylor-Fletcher
- 16 Varney
Substitutes
Fulham
- 12 Stockdale
- 02 Kelly
- 04 Pantsil
- 05 Hangeland
- 18 Hughes
- 13 Murphy (Gera 80)
- 16 Duff (Greening 85)
- 20 Etuhu
- 29 Davies
- 25 Zamora (Dempsey 59)
- 30 Dembele
Substitutes
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+4:18 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
- 90:00+4:02 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
- 90:00+3:27 Foul by Moussa Dembele on Elliot Grandin, free kick awarded. Matthew Gilks takes the free kick.
- 90:00+3:23 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 90:00+3:09 Shot by Simon Davies (Fulham) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), save (parried) by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
- 90:00+1:36 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 90:00+1:26 Effort on goal by Luke Varney from just inside the penalty area goes over the target.
- 90:00+0:46 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 90:00+0:39 Charlie Adam produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that misses to the right of the net.
- 90:00+0:30 Cross by Elliot Grandin (Blackpool), clearance by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
- 88:33 Defending throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
- 86:20 Assist (pass) by Moussa Dembele (Fulham) from left channel.
- 86:20 GOAL - Dickson Etuhu:Blackpool 2 - 2 Fulham Goal by Dickson Etuhu (Fulham) right-footed (high centre of goal) from centre of penalty area (12 yards).Blackpool 2-2 Fulham.
- 85:32 Clinton Dempsey (Fulham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 85:24 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 84:49 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- Correction - 84:04 Strike comes in from Charlie Adam from the free kick.
- Correction - 84:04 Substitution Jonathan Greening on for Damien Duff.
- Correction - 84:04 Neal Eardley fouled by Moussa Dembele, the ref awards a free kick.
- 84:04 Direct free kick taken by Charlie Adam.
- 84:04 Substitution Jonathan Greening replaces Damien Duff.
- 84:04 Moussa Dembele challenges Neal Eardley unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 82:28 Luke Varney fouled by John Pantsil, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Charlie Adam.
- 80:21 Defending throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
- 79:58 Centre by Elliot Grandin.
- 79:48 Goal kick taken long by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
- 79:27 Substitution Fulham substitution: Danny Murphy replaced by Zoltan Gera (tactical).
- 79:17 Effort from deep inside the area by Moussa Dembele clears the bar.
- 78:58 Stephen Kelly sends in a cross, Brett Ormerod gets a block in.
- 78:21 The offside flag is raised against Luke Varney. John Pantsil restarts play with the free kick.
- 77:20 Moussa Dembele sends in a cross. Clinton Dempsey is caught offside. Matthew Gilks takes the indirect free kick.
- 76:29 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Simon Davies (Fulham) to centre, shot by Danny Murphy (Fulham) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), blocked by Aaron Hughes (Fulham).
- 75:24 The assist for the goal came from Brett Ormerod.
- 75:24 GOAL - Luke Varney:Blackpool 2 - 1 Fulham Luke Varney grabs a goal from just inside the penalty area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Blackpool 2-1 Fulham.
- 74:46 Clinton Dempsey takes a shot. Save made by Matthew Gilks.
- 74:07 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Charlie Adam (Blackpool) to far post, resulting in open play.
- 73:42 Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save made by David Stockdale.
- 72:50 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 72:37 Luke Varney has shot on goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
- 70:42 GOAL - John Pantsil:Blackpool 1 - 1 Fulham Own goal by John Pantsil. Blackpool 1-1 Fulham.
- 70:41 Luke Varney takes a shot. Blocked by Aaron Hughes.
- 68:53 Close range header by Brett Ormerod misses to the right of the goal.
- 67:50 The official flags Luke Varney offside. Aaron Hughes takes the indirect free kick.
- 67:07 Free kick taken by Damien Duff.
- 67:07 Booking David Vaughan goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
- 66:56 Unfair challenge on Damien Duff by David Vaughan results in a free kick.
- 66:35 Goal kick taken short by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
- 66:04 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Simon Davies (Fulham) to short, shot by Simon Davies (Fulham) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed right.
- 65:58 The ball is swung over by Danny Murphy, Craig Cathcart manages to make a clearance.
- 64:57 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 64:19 Luke Varney fouled by John Pantsil, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Adam takes the direct free kick.
- 63:05 Direct free kick taken by Brede Hangeland.
- 63:05 Substitution Neal Eardley comes on in place of Ian Evatt.
- 63:05 Foul by Gary Taylor-Fletcher on Brede Hangeland, free kick awarded.
- 62:56 Cross by Luke Varney (Blackpool), resulting in open play.
- 61:08 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Stockdale by Luke Varney. Direct free kick taken by David Stockdale.
- 60:15 The assistant referee flags for offside against Stephen Kelly. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.
- 59:38 Brett Ormerod (Blackpool) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by David Stockdale (Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 58:41 Substitution (Fulham) makes a substitution, with Clinton Dempsey coming on for Bobby Zamora.
- 58:41 The assistant referee flags for offside against Damien Duff.
- 55:46 David Vaughan takes a outswinging corner.
- 54:53 Damien Duff is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.
- 54:35 Bobby Zamora fouled by Ian Evatt, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Danny Murphy.
- 53:52 Goal kick taken long by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
- 53:48 Bobby Zamora delivers the ball.
- 53:07 Foul by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool) on Damien Duff (Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by John Pantsil (Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 52:48 Cross by Bobby Zamora (Fulham), clearance by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 52:35 The ball is sent over by Charlie Adam, clearance made by Aaron Hughes.
- 52:18 Alex Baptiste fouled by Bobby Zamora, the ref awards a free kick. Alex Baptiste restarts play with the free kick.
- 50:47 Foul by Dickson Etuhu (Fulham) on Luke Varney (Blackpool). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Charlie Adam (Blackpool) from left wing, shot by Ian Evatt (Blackpool) right-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (caught) by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 50:19 Bobby Zamora takes a shot. Save made by Matthew Gilks.
- 49:38 Free kick awarded for a foul by Luke Varney on Stephen Kelly. Brede Hangeland restarts play with the free kick.
- 47:57 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Charlie Adam by Moussa Dembele. Charlie Adam crosses the ball in from the free kick, Brede Hangeland manages to make a clearance.
- 47:03 Handball by Luke Varney (Blackpool). Indirect free kick taken right-footed by David Stockdale (Fulham) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 46:23 The referee blows for offside. David Stockdale takes the free kick.
- 45:41 Bobby Zamora challenges Craig Cathcart unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.
- 45:01 The second half has started.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:28 The match has reached half-time.
- 45:00+0:59 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 44:41 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 42:04 Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Simon Davies (Fulham). Shot by Danny Murphy (Fulham) right-footed from left channel (20 yards), missed left.
- 41:58 Cross by Simon Davies (Fulham), blocked by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 40:29 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Simon Davies by Luke Varney. Brede Hangeland takes the free kick.
- 39:39 Goal kick taken long by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
- 39:00 The referee blows for offside. Indirect free kick taken by David Stockdale.
- 38:51 Centre by Stephen Crainey, clearance by Aaron Hughes.
- 38:15 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 38:06 Shot from outside the penalty box by Charlie Adam goes wide right of the goal.
- 37:46 Attacking throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 36:52 David Vaughan challenges Bobby Zamora unfairly and gives away a free kick. Simon Davies crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing. The offside flag is raised against Bobby Zamora. Matthew Gilks takes the free kick.
- 36:29 Foul by Charlie Adam (Blackpool) on Bobby Zamora (Fulham). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Damien Duff (Fulham) from right channel, passed.
- 36:09 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 35:55 Foul by Moussa Dembele (Fulham) on David Vaughan (Blackpool). Free kick crossed left-footed by Charlie Adam (Blackpool) from right wing, resulting in ball out of play.
- 34:33 Moussa Dembele provided the assist for the goal.
- 34:33 GOAL - Bobby Zamora:Blackpool 0 - 1 Fulham Bobby Zamora scores a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Blackpool 0-1 Fulham.
- 34:30 Centre by Moussa Dembele,
- 33:45 Attacking throw-in by Bobby Zamora (Fulham).
- 32:50 Attacking throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 32:21 Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
- 30:56 Cross by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool), resulting in open play.
- 28:56 Free kick awarded for a foul by Brett Ormerod on Stephen Kelly. David Stockdale takes the free kick.
- 28:25 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 27:54 Foul by Bobby Zamora on Luke Varney, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.
- 26:49 Cross by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool), clearance by Simon Davies (Fulham).
- 23:59 Corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff from the right by-line, Dickson Etuhu takes a shot. Corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff from the right by-line, Brede Hangeland concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Cathcart. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.
- 23:42 Cross by Damien Duff (Fulham), clearance by Charlie Adam (Blackpool).
- 23:21 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 22:51 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 22:35 Shot by Luke Varney (Blackpool) left-footed from left side of penalty area (20 yards), missed right.
- 22:11 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 21:52 Shot by Charlie Adam (Blackpool) right-footed from right channel (20 yards), missed left.
- 21:42 Cross by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool), clearance by Brede Hangeland (Fulham).
- 21:23 Defending throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
- 20:08 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Brede Hangeland by Luke Varney. Brede Hangeland takes the direct free kick.
- 19:25 Foul by Ian Evatt (Blackpool) on Bobby Zamora (Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Bobby Zamora (Fulham) from right channel, passed.
- 18:50 Moussa Dembele gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Vaughan. Charlie Adam takes the direct free kick.
- 17:48 Shot by Moussa Dembele (Fulham) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), resulting in open play. Bobby Zamora (Fulham) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 17:27 The official flags Brett Ormerod offside. David Stockdale takes the indirect free kick.
- 15:43 Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
- 15:10 Corner from right by-line taken short right-footed by Gary Taylor-Fletcher (Blackpool). Cross by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool), resulting in open play.
- 14:18 Bobby Zamora concedes a free kick for a foul on Craig Cathcart. Free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.
- 14:07 John Pantsil produces a cross.
- 13:58 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 13:50 The ball is swung over by John Pantsil, clearance by Ian Evatt.
- 12:32 Foul by Craig Cathcart (Blackpool) on Bobby Zamora (Fulham). Free kick taken right-footed by Bobby Zamora (Fulham) from right channel (25 yards), hit wall.
- 12:02 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 11:35 Unfair challenge on Charlie Adam by Bobby Zamora results in a free kick. Charlie Adam crosses the ball in from the free kick.
- 9:34 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
- 8:55 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
- 8:43 Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
- 7:16 Outswinging corner taken by David Vaughan from the left by-line.
- 7:07 The ball is swung over by Alex Baptiste, John Pantsil gets a block in.
- 6:22 Defending throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 6:15 Defending throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 5:35 Effort from outside the penalty box by Elliot Grandin goes wide left of the target.
- 5:11 Cross by Stephen Kelly (Fulham), save (caught) by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
- 4:59 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
- 4:06 The ball is crossed by Charlie Adam.
- 3:52 Attacking throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
- 3:12 Shot by Luke Varney (Blackpool) volleyed right-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 2:54 Foul by Moussa Dembele (Fulham) on Charlie Adam (Blackpool). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Charlie Adam (Blackpool) from own half, resulting in open play.
- 2:15 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
- 1:57 Free kick awarded for a foul by Aaron Hughes on Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Stephen Crainey takes the free kick.
- 0:57 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 0:00 The referee gets the match started.
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