Blackpool recorded their first top-flight home win since 1971 after a pulsating 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
Goals from Charlie Adam and Luke Varney were enough to propel the Seasiders up to ninth in the Premier League before Youssouf Mulumbu set up a tense finish.
It had looked a breeze by the sea as the Baggies were reduced to nine men inside half an hour.
But the home side’s inability to put away their chances made life hard work right until the end.
In monsoon conditions at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool striker DJ Campbell won a 12th minute penalty when he was tripped by Pablo Ibanez. Referee Michael Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and sending the central defender off for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
The decision was a highly contentious one. Albion argued that a red card was harsh, with a covering defender close by.
Blackpool captain Adam brought an end to a testing week personally by scoring the resulting penalty. It’s reported that the 24-year-old is taking the club to court over unpaid bonuses. An intense celebration defied murmurs Adam would be moving away.
After that high octane start, Ian Holloway’s team found it tricky to find their rhythm with an extra man advantage before seeing another opposing player see red. Gonzalo Jara’s reckless two-footed challenge on Luke Varney gave the referee no option.
It was Varney who made the game safe on 62 minutes when Elliot Grandin found the winger unmarked to easily stroke home for 2-0.
That should’ve meant a relaxing last half hour but thanks to tactically astute changes by Roberto Di Matteo and poor finishing meant Albion were always in the game.
Mulumbu scored a superb curling effort on the break to set up a nervy final five minutes but Blackpool held on for the points.
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