BBC Sport football

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Related BBC sites

Page last updated at 15:53 GMT, Saturday, 28 August 2010 16:53 UK

Blackpool   2 - 2   Fulham

Blackpool's Luke Varney is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring their second goal on Saturday
Varney's goal gave Blackpool hope but their dreams were dashed at the death

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 manager Fabio Capello
England boss Capello was watching ahead of Euro 2012 qualifiers

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)
  • Pantsil (og) 71
  • Varney 76
  • Zamora 35
  • Etuhu 87

Blackpool

Substitutes

Fulham

Substitutes

Ref: OliverAtt: 15,529
BLACKPOOL
FULHAM

Possession

  • Blackpool 51%
  • Fulham 49%

Attempts on target

  • Blackpool 5
  • Fulham 7

Attempts off target

  • Blackpool 9
  • Fulham 5

Corners

  • Blackpool 4
  • Fulham 5

Fouls

  • Blackpool 13
  • Fulham 16
  • Final Result
  • 94:42 The game begins.
  • Full Time
  • 90:00+4:02 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
  • 90:00+3:27 Moussa Dembele concedes a free kick for a foul on Elliot Grandin. Matthew Gilks takes the free kick.
  • 90:00+3:23 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 90:00+3:09 Simon Davies takes a shot. Save by Matthew Gilks.
  • 90:00+1:36 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • 90:00+1:26 Shot on goal by Luke Varney from just inside the 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 goes wide right of the target.
  • 90:00+0:30 A cross is delivered by Elliot Grandin, Stephen Kelly makes a clearance.
  • 90:00 The referee blows his whistle to end the game.
  • 88:33 Defending throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
  • 86:20 Moussa Dembele provided the assist for the goal.
  • 86:20 GOAL - Dickson EtuhuBlackpool 2 - 2 Fulham Goal scored by Dickson Etuhu from deep inside the penalty area high into the middle of the goal. Blackpool 2-2 Fulham.
  • 85:32 The assistant referee flags for offside against Clinton Dempsey. Free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.
  • 85:24 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 84:49 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • Correction - 84:04 Shot comes in from Charlie Adam from the free kick.
  • Correction - 84:04 Substitution Jonathan Greening replaces 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. Charlie Adam takes the direct free kick.
  • 80:21 Defending throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
  • 79:58 The ball is swung over by Elliot Grandin.
  • 79:48 Goal kick taken long by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
  • 79:27 Substitution Zoltan Gera joins the action as a substitute, replacing Danny Murphy.
  • 79:17 Shot from inside the area by Moussa Dembele clears the bar.
  • 78:58 Stephen Kelly delivers the ball, Brett Ormerod gets a block in.
  • 78:21 The referee blows for offside against Luke Varney. Indirect free kick taken by John Pantsil.
  • 77:20 The ball is delivered by Moussa Dembele. The official flags Clinton Dempsey offside. Matthew Gilks takes the indirect free kick.
  • 76:29 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Simon Davies from the left by-line, Danny Murphy takes a shot. Blocked by Aaron Hughes.
  • 75:24 Brett Ormerod provided the assist for the goal.
  • 75:24 GOAL - Luke VarneyBlackpool 2 - 1 Fulham Luke Varney fires in a goal from just inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Blackpool 2-1 Fulham.
  • 74:46 Clinton Dempsey takes a shot. Matthew Gilks makes a save.
  • 74:07 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Adam from the right by-line.
  • 73:42 Charlie Adam takes a shot. Save 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 area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
  • 70:42 GOAL - John PantsilBlackpool 1 - 1 Fulham John Pantsil scores an own goal from 6 yards. Blackpool 1-1 Fulham.
  • 70:41 Luke Varney takes a shot. Aaron Hughes gets a block in.
  • 68:53 Close range header by Brett Ormerod misses to the right of the goal.
  • 67:50 Luke Varney is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Aaron Hughes takes the free kick.
  • 67:07 Free kick taken by Damien Duff.
  • 67:07 Booking Booking for David Vaughan for unsporting behaviour.
  • 66:56 Foul by David Vaughan on Damien Duff, free kick awarded.
  • 66:35 Goal kick taken short by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
  • 66:04 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Simon Davies from the left by-line, Simon Davies has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
  • 65:58 The ball is delivered by Danny Murphy, Craig Cathcart makes a clearance.
  • 64:57 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 64:19 John Pantsil concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Varney. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Adam.
  • 63:05 Free kick taken by Brede Hangeland.
  • 63:05 Substitution Neal Eardley replaces Ian Evatt.
  • 63:05 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Brede Hangeland by Gary Taylor-Fletcher.
  • 62:56 Luke Varney sends in a cross.
  • 61:08 Luke Varney gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Stockdale. David Stockdale restarts play with the free kick.
  • 60:15 The assistant referee flags for offside against Stephen Kelly. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.
  • 59:38 Brett Ormerod is ruled offside. Free kick taken by David Stockdale.
  • 58:41 Substitution Clinton Dempsey replaces Bobby Zamora.
  • 58:41 Damien Duff is ruled offside.
  • 55:46 Corner taken by David Vaughan played to the near post.
  • 54:53 Damien Duff is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Matthew Gilks.
  • 54:35 Unfair challenge on Bobby Zamora by Ian Evatt results in a free kick. Danny Murphy takes the free kick.
  • 53:52 Goal kick taken long by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
  • 53:48 Bobby Zamora delivers the ball.
  • 53:07 Foul by Stephen Crainey on Damien Duff, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by John Pantsil.
  • 52:48 Bobby Zamora crosses the ball, Alex Baptiste makes a clearance.
  • 52:35 Centre by Charlie Adam, Aaron Hughes makes a clearance.
  • 52:18 Alex Baptiste fouled by Bobby Zamora, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Alex Baptiste.
  • 50:47 Luke Varney fouled by Dickson Etuhu, the ref awards a free kick. Charlie Adam delivers the ball, Ian Evatt takes a shot. Save by David Stockdale.
  • 50:19 Bobby Zamora takes a shot. Matthew Gilks makes a save.
  • 49:38 Luke Varney concedes a free kick for a foul on Stephen Kelly. Brede Hangeland takes the direct free kick.
  • 47:57 Moussa Dembele concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Adam. Free kick crossed left-footed by Charlie Adam from left channel, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.
  • 47:03 The referee gives a free kick against Luke Varney for handball. David Stockdale takes the indirect free kick.
  • 46:23 Brett Ormerod is flagged offside by the assistant referee. David Stockdale takes the free kick.
  • 45:41 Free kick awarded for a foul by Bobby Zamora on Craig Cathcart. Matthew Gilks takes the free kick.
  • 45:01 The referee gets the second half underway.
  • Half Time
  • 45:00+0:59 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • 45:00 The referee calls an end to the first half.
  • 44:41 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 42:04 Simon Davies takes a short corner, Danny Murphy has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
  • 41:58 Simon Davies crosses the ball, blocked by Alex Baptiste.
  • 40:29 Simon Davies fouled by Luke Varney, the ref awards a free kick. Brede Hangeland restarts play with the free kick.
  • 39:39 Goal kick taken long by Matthew Gilks (Blackpool).
  • 39:00 Gary Taylor-Fletcher is caught offside. Indirect free kick taken by David Stockdale.
  • 38:51 The ball is crossed by Stephen Crainey, clearance made by Aaron Hughes.
  • 38:15 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • 38:06 Charlie Adam has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.
  • 37:46 Attacking throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
  • 36:52 Bobby Zamora fouled by David Vaughan, the ref awards a free kick. Simon Davies crosses the ball from the free kick right-footed from left wing. The assistant referee flags for offside against Bobby Zamora. Matthew Gilks restarts play with the free kick.
  • 36:29 Free kick awarded for a foul by Charlie Adam on Bobby Zamora. Damien Duff restarts play with the free kick.
  • 36:09 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • 35:55 Moussa Dembele challenges David Vaughan unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is delivered left-footed by Charlie Adam from right wing.
  • 34:33 Moussa Dembele provided the assist for the goal.
  • 34:33 GOAL - Bobby ZamoraBlackpool 0 - 1 Fulham Bobby Zamora finds the back of the net with a headed goal from close in. Blackpool 0-1 Fulham.
  • 34:30 The ball is swung over 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 Alex Baptiste sends in a cross.
  • 28:56 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Stephen Kelly by Brett Ormerod. Direct free kick taken by David Stockdale.
  • 28:25 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 27:54 Bobby Zamora concedes a free kick for a foul on Luke Varney. Matthew Gilks takes the direct free kick.
  • 26:49 The ball is delivered by Stephen Crainey, clearance by Simon Davies.
  • 23:59 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff from the right by-line, Dickson Etuhu takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Damien Duff, Brede Hangeland gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Craig Cathcart. Matthew Gilks takes the free kick.
  • 23:42 Damien Duff delivers the ball, Charlie Adam manages to make a clearance.
  • 23:21 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 22:51 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • 22:35 Luke Varney has shot on goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
  • 22:11 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
  • 21:52 Shot from just outside the penalty area by Charlie Adam misses to the left of the target.
  • 21:42 Alex Baptiste produces a cross, Brede Hangeland makes a clearance.
  • 21:23 Defending throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
  • 20:08 Luke Varney concedes a free kick for a foul on Brede Hangeland. Brede Hangeland takes the free kick.
  • 19:25 Unfair challenge on Bobby Zamora by Ian Evatt results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Bobby Zamora.
  • 18:50 Foul by Moussa Dembele on David Vaughan, free kick awarded. Charlie Adam takes the direct free kick.
  • 17:48 Moussa Dembele takes a shot. The assistant referee flags for offside against Bobby Zamora. Matthew Gilks takes the indirect free kick.
  • 17:27 The offside flag is raised against Brett Ormerod. David Stockdale takes the indirect free kick.
  • 15:43 Defending throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
  • 15:10 Corner taken short by Gary Taylor-Fletcher, The ball is sent over by Alex Baptiste.
  • 14:18 Craig Cathcart fouled by Bobby Zamora, the ref awards a free kick. Direct 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 sent over by John Pantsil, clearance by Ian Evatt.
  • 12:32 Craig Cathcart challenges Bobby Zamora unfairly and gives away a free kick. Shot comes in from Bobby Zamora from the free kick.
  • 12:02 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
  • 11:35 Bobby Zamora concedes a free kick for a foul on Charlie Adam. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Charlie Adam.
  • 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 Corner from left by-line taken by David Vaughan.
  • 7:07 The ball is crossed by Alex Baptiste, blocked by John Pantsil.
  • 6:22 Defending throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
  • 6:15 Defending throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
  • 5:35 Elliot Grandin has a shot on goal from outside the box which misses left.
  • 5:11 Centre by Stephen Kelly, save made by Matthew Gilks.
  • 4:59 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Kelly (Fulham).
  • 4:06 Charlie Adam produces a cross.
  • 3:52 Attacking throw-in by Alex Baptiste (Blackpool).
  • 3:12 Effort from 12 yards by Luke Varney. Save by David Stockdale.
  • 2:54 Moussa Dembele challenges Charlie Adam unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Charlie Adam.
  • 2:15 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Crainey (Blackpool).
  • 1:57 Foul by Aaron Hughes on Gary Taylor-Fletcher, free kick awarded. Stephen Crainey takes the direct free kick.
  • 0:57 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.



Print Sponsor



Premier League table snapshot

As it stood on 28 Aug 2010 23:59 UK

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Chelsea 3 14 9
2 Arsenal 3 7 7
3 Man Utd 3 6 7
4 Wolves 3 1 5
5 Newcastle 3 3 4
6 Man City 2 3 4
7 Bolton 2 2 4
8 Birmingham 2 1 4
9 Tottenham 3 0 4
10 Blackpool 3 -2 4
11 Fulham 3 0 3
12 Blackburn 3 -1 3
13 Aston Villa 2 -3 3
14 West Brom 2 -5 3
15 Wigan 3 -9 3
16 Sunderland 2 -1 1
17 Everton 2 -1 1
18 Liverpool 2 -3 1
19 Stoke 3 -4 0
20 West Ham 3 -8 0

see also
Holloway proud after historic day
28 Aug 10 |  Blackpool