Seasiders shock Big Sam in the shoot-out
SAM ALLARDYCE began his managerial career at Blackpool. He has experienced plenty of highs and lows in the 27 years since but rarely all within the same 120 minutes.
Allardyce returned to Bloomfield Road yesterday with his Premier League strugglers badly in need of a pick-me-up after recent thrashings by Aston Villa, Leeds and Arsenal.
Instead, they suffered a further bloodied nose against a club forever synonymous with the FA Cup, yet one who are currently mid-table in League One.
Though Allardyce has only been at The Hawthorns for just over three weeks, he won’t want the search for a first win as West Bromwich Albion manager to continue too long.
They did show character to twice fight back here, but their goals lacked quality compared to those scored by the underdogs.
Even in the shoot-out, their supposed technical superiority was not evident, despite Albion goalkeeper David Button saving the first kick from Jerry Yates.
In response, Kyle Edwards, Darnell Furlong and finally Matheus Pereira all had attempts saved by Blackpool No1 Chris Maxwell.
‘We got the best possible start but I am hugely disappointed in the penalty takers that missed,’ said Allardyce. ‘The level we are at, we should not have lost at all.
‘It was a great third-round battle — I didn’t expect anything else. But we gave the ball away cheaply.’
West Brom had the better of the first half, with Maxwell making saves from Filip Krovinovic and Pereira, but Neil Critchley’s underdogs took the lead after 40 minutes with a great team goal. Gary Madine released Bez Lubala and his low cross from the left reached Yates, who timed his run to convert from close range.
Allardyce threw on Furlong for Kieran Gibbs at the interval and, within seven minutes of the restart, they were level thanks to Semi Ajayi’s aerial power.
Poland winger Kamil Grosicki supplied the cross and Ajayi met it with a firm header.
Conor Gallagher then shot over for the visitors before Blackpool stopped a shift in momentum with their second goal after 66 minutes.
It was another fabulous swift passing move from inside their own half, with Dan Kemp involved before Yates turned provider to slip in Madine, who buried his shot low into the corner.
Albion had to dig deep again and levelled in controversial circumstances after 80 minutes. Grosicki’s shot cannoned into Ollie Turton’s arm from close range and referee John Brooks, who didn’t have VAR, pointed to the spot. Pereira dispatched the penalty convincingly.
Blackpool were bright in extra time despite losing defender Daniel Gretarsson with a muscle injury and they nearly snatched it when Matty Virtue shot over.
At the other end, Maxwell had to get down low to stop Kyle Edwards’ shot creeping in.
The see-saw shoot-out saw Button save from Yates, only for Albion to throw it away. Sullay Kaikai could have won it for Blackpool at 3-1 but struck the post. To his relief, another excellent Maxwell dive denied Pereira.
‘Liverpool sounds nice,’ smiled Critchley when asked about who he fancied in the fourth round. Critchley developed his coaching skills with Liverpool Under-23s.
‘You have to put in a physical shift against Premier League opposition and our players did that. We more than matched them. It was a great feeling to win and I felt it was a deserved victory.’
BLACKPOOL (4-4-2): Maxwell: Turton, Ballard (Ekpiteta 90), Gretarsson (Mitchell 98), Husband; Ward (Robson 115), Dougall, Kemp (Virtue 82), Lubala (Kaikai 75); Yates, Madine. Subs (not used): Sims, Gabriel, Thorniley, Woodburn. Booked: Ballard, Madine. WEST BROM (4-1-4-1): Button: Peltier (O’Shea 96), Ivanovic (Kipre 72), Bartley (Sawyers 61), Gibbs (Furlong 45); Ajayi; Krovinovic, Livermore, Gallagher (Edwards 61), Grosicki; Pereira. Subs (not used): Lonergan, Harper, Richards, Harmon. Booked: Ajayi, Gallagher. Referee: John Brooks.