Palace Pummel ‘Pool

The Seasiders’ previous good record against Neil Warnock’s side was blown away, with the hosts taking the lead after just four minutes.

A quick throw in found Danny Butterfield, who crossed for Alan Lee to head home. However, Lee was only able to score because Pool’s Rob Edwards slipped as he was about to challenge him – an incident that was to sum up the Seasiders afternoon.

Whilst ‘Pool were having all the posession, it was Palace who looked the more dangerous upfront; Sean Scannell hitting the post on 25 minutes.

Five minutes later it was 2-0. Another quickly taken set piece saw Shaun Derry cross the ball and ex Blackpool loanee Neil Danns head home.

If confirmation were needed that it wasn’t going to be Blackpool’s afternoon, it came 10 minutes before the break.

Jason Euell sent Alex Baptiste scampering clear, and the defender fired home past Julian Speroni… only to see the linesman’s flag raised. Tv replays have since showed that Baptiste was onside.

Ben Burgess replaced Jay Emmanuel-Thomas at the break, and the striker was denied when Julian Speroni acrobatically turned away his header.

‘Pool did get themselves back into the game just a few minutes later though: Charlie Adam and David Vaughan combining before Alex Baptiste headed home.

There was then another very contentious offside decision as Palace restored their two goal lead: Darren Ambrose was sent clear and duly finished, but replays show that he was offside. Ian Holloway was not happy to say the least.

Speroni then denied Burgess again as the Seasiders looked to get back into the game, but it was all to no avail as Palace added a fourth before full time; Alassane N’Diaye bundling home.

It would appear that the international break has come at the right time for the ‘Pool, and as much as Holloway is upset at the officials this morning, he needs to look at himself and make sure that he’s doing everything correctly if the Seasiders are to build on a promising start to the season.