2nd February 2011
Blackpool 1-3 West Ham
Adam Obinna (2)
Keane
Blackpool: Kingson, Eardley, Baptiste, Cathcart (Evatt 46), Vaughan, Adam, Carney, Reid (Harewood 60), Taylor-Fletcher, Varney (Beattie 61), Campbell
West Ham: Green, Gabbidon (Reid 33), Tomkins, Bridge, Jacobsen, Parker, Noble, O’Neil, Piquionne, Obinna (Boa Morte 83), Keane (Kovac 84)
Three first half goals ensured West Ham moved from the foot of the table the last time these two sides met. Blackpool had impressed all season with their attacking attitude but was caught out at the back by West Ham’s newly assembled strike force.
The home side dominated early possession but it was the Hammers who had the first real opening after summer signing Victor Obinna connected with Frederic Piquionne to force a smart save from Richard Kingson in the Blackpool goal.
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It was the Nigerian, on loan from Inter Milan, who would put West Ham ahead, after some good work on the left in put in a cross that Kingson managed to palm into his own net to gift West Ham the advantage.
The goal drew Blackpool back into the game and Robert Green had to be alert to tip Andy Reid’s shot over the bar. With the home side gaining momentum West Ham launched a counter attack through Obinna, Kingson did well to save two of his efforts, but the ‘keeper could do nothing about deadline day signing Robbie Keane’s follow up, putting West Ham in firm control.
The defence had been West Ham’s Achilles heel all season however, and Blackpool immediately struck back, captain Charlie Adam fired in a low cross which managed to elude everybody and sneak into the bottom corner.
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The inform Obinna put the game back in West Ham’s favour, talismanic midfielder Scott Parker brought the ball forward from midfield, releasing Obinna who unleashed a beauty of a strike from 30-yards which went straight into the top corner leaving Kingson hopeless.
In the second half, Blackpool tried in vain to break down West Ham’s defence, with Adam striking the cross bar and former Hammer Marlon Harewood forcing Green to make a lovely one handed save. The Hammers managed to cling on for a valuable three points to move them from the foot of the table.
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The three points for West Ham weren’t enough to keep them out of relegation trouble, as for Blackpool their early season form was beginning to become undone and they ended up back in the Championship with West Ham.
Were you at Bloomfield Road to witness this West Ham victory? Tweet me your memories @deanmears.
