Blackpool’s impressive start to life in the English Premier League saw them rise to ninth in the table after a 2-1 victory at home to nine-man West Bromwich Albion gave them a first top-flight win at Bloomfield Road this season on Monday.
Goals either side of the break from Charlie Adam and Luke Varney secured the Tangerines’ victory on a rainswept night but the course of the match was all but decided when 25-year-old Michael Oliver, the Premier League’s youngest referee, sent-off Baggies duo Pablo Ibanez and Gonzalo Jara inside the opening half hour.
However, a superb solo effort from West Brom’s Youssuf Mulumbu, who scored five minutes from time with a brilliant shot into the top corner after beating several Blackpool defenders, set up a dramatic finish.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Austria international Paul Scharner then came close to an equalizing for Roberto di Matteo’s side, who remained sixth despite the defeat, when he headed narrowly wide from a free-kick before Steven Reid blasted over the top.
Both sides had chances to score further goals and, in the final minute of the four added on at the end of the game, West Brom forced a corner only for Blackpool to catch them on the counter-attack but DJ Campbell shot wide to fray Blackpool manager Ian Holloway’s nerves.
Oliver’s decision to show red card to “last man” Ibanez, who brought down Campbell in the box in the 11th minute, was questionable as there appeared to be a covering Baggies defender in close attendance.
However, Oliver had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Adam scored from the ensuing penalty, despite former England goalkeeper Scott Carson getting a hand to the ball.
West Brom, like Blackpool promoted from the Championship last season, have won plaudits for their passing game this season but there was no denying the brutality of Jara’s two-footed challenge on Varney near the corner flag that saw the Chilean defender sent off in the 29th minute.
Despite their seemingly insurmountable handicap, West Brom continued to press and there was a sense of relief among home fans when Varney turned in a cross from Elliot Grandin just after the hour mark.
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Pierre Webo scored with five minutes remaining to give Mallorca a 2-1 victory over Levante, completing the ninth round of Spanish league games on Monday.
Webo headed in a corner from Jonathan de Guzman to take the Balearic Island club to seventh with 14 points.
Christian Stuani headed Levante in front after 26 minutes from Valdo’s pass from the right, but Michael Pereira responded in the 64th to begin Mallorca’s recovery.
Levante are 17th with eight points. Real Madrid lead with 23 points, one better than defending champions Barcelona. Villarreal are third with 20.
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