Bac with a banger

FLYING Dutchman Leandro Bacuna gave power-packed Cardiff the breakthrough goal that finally broke brave Blackpool’s rearguard action.

And sub Kieffer Moore showed he is shaking off the effects of Covid when he headed home his first Championship goal of the season, hoping it kick-starts another 20-goal tally.

It was a rare goal for 29-year-old midfielder Bacuna (above), only his fourth in four years with the Welshmen – but it was a vital contribution yesterday for Mick Mccarthy’s men.

The Curacao international nodded into the top-left corner from close range, as new-boys Blackpool were given a lesson in cool finishing.

Moore was finally given a run-out from the bench with 13 minutes left, and duly put a header into the net from a cross flighted in by Wolves loanee Ryan Giles.

Bluebirds boss Mccarthy said: “Leandro told me last week he should have scored in our opener against Barnsley, but I told him he’d played well and that the goals would happen. He showed great positioning and it was a good finish.

“We should have been well ahead at half-time, and that was a worry. But we picked it up and got the breakthrough. Kieffer’s goal was clinical. He picked his spot perfectly.”

Blackpool boss Neil Critchley admitted: “It was a tough day at the office. Cardiff made us play their game. We had a few chances but you have to keep the ball. They are a powerful team full of experience, and a side that score well from set-pieces. It was difficult.”

BLACKPOOL: Maxwell 7; Connolly 7, Keogh 6, Husband 6, Garbutt 6; Hamilton 6 (Bowler, 63, 6), Ward 7, Dougall 6, Anderson 6; John-jules 7 (Lavery 77), Yates 6.

Unused subs: Grimshaw, James, Carey, Casey, Ekpiteta.

CARDIFF CITY: Phillips 6; Nelson 6, Flint 8, Morrison 7; Ng 6, Pack 7, Ralls 6 (Vaulks 77, 6), Bagan 6; Giles 7, Collins 6 (Moore 77, 7), Bacuna 8.

Unused subs: Smithies, Murphy, Watkins, Colwill, Sang.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Aden Flint. Cardiff’s own Blackpool tower was a defensive rock and a set-piece menace.

REFEREE: Andy Woolmer 8.