Blackpool secured their second home win in the Premier League as Wolves' woes continued with a 2-1 defeat.
Blackpool inflict fourth straight defeat on Wanderers
Blackpool secured their second home win in the Premier League as Wolves' woes continued following their 2-1 defeat at Bloomfield Road.
Prince William was at the ground for Saturday's top-flight encounter and Luke Varney delivered a goal fit for royalty on three minutes as he opened the scoring with a wonder-strike.
Wolves had lost their last three games heading into the weekend fixture despite playing well in recent weeks, and the visitors were unlucky to be two down going into the break.
Blackpool scored right on half-time, thanks to poor goalkeeping from Marcus Hahnemann to allow Varney to head the ball onto Marlon Harewood who bundled home against his former club.
Wanderers continued to show spirit in the second half and they were given a late lifeline when Kevin Doyle grabbed his first league goal of the season but it was too little too late for Mick McCarthy's side, who remain rooted in the relegation zone.
Sprightly
Blackpool had gone into the game with the worst home record in the league but they looked sprightly from the onset against the team with the worst away form.
Wolves were also looking to keep a clean sheet for the first time this season but their plans were in tatters almost as soon as the game had started.
Blackpool were buoyed by the presence of inspirational captain Charlie Adam after an injury scare but their stunning opener had nothing to do with the Scot's creativity.
Varney, wide on the left, chested a long Stephen Crainey ball past Kevin Foley and watched it bounce before unleashing an inch-perfect 25-yard shot which looped over Hahnemann and dipped under the crossbar.
The visitors tried to respond but George Elokobi's shot was blocked. Harewood tested Hahnemann with a 30-yard shot but the American saved comfortably low down.
Wolves began to enjoy some possession but Blackpool got numbers back. Adam headed away a corner from under his crossbar and goalkeeper Richard Kingson, playing in place of injured first choice Matt Gilks, was not worried by a header from Christophe Berra.
Doyle also headed wide of the post for McCarthy's side.
McCarthy was clearly not happy with the performance of Foley, who had been shifted infield soon after Varney's goal with Michael Mancienne moving to right-back and with less than half an hour gone Foley was taken off and replaced by Nenad Milijas.
Uncertainty
Hahnemann had a moment of uncertainty when he spilled a long-range Ian Evatt shot but there was no danger and he recovered.
The incident failed to jolt the keeper into life and another lapse of concentration allowed Blackpool to double their lead.
Hahnemann came out to claim a David Vaughan corner but missed the ball and Varney headed down.
Harewood was on hand to stab towards goal and the ball found its way across the line despite the last-ditch efforts of Matt Jarvis.
The visiting fans turned their frustration on the team and chanted, 'What a load of rubbish' at half-time.
As a result, Wolves started the second period in determined fashion but David Jones sliced a good chance wide.
Blackpool continued to attack themselves and DJ Campbell beat Berra in the box but failed to find anyone with his cross.
Open contest
The approach of both sides made for a really open contest and Doyle twice went close, first dragging a shot across goal and then picking out Kingson.
Milijas went even closer after a powerful run down the middle, striking a left-foot shot which beat Kingson to his left but rebounded to safety off the post.
Milijas tried his luck again moments later but blazed over.
Blackpool pieced together another good move with Adam playing Varney through but the on-loan Derby forward shot narrowly wide.
Jarvis pulled the ball back for substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the six-yard box but it seemed Wolves' luck was out as Vaughan deflected his shot wide.
Wolves continued to press and were finally rewarded five minutes from time as Doyle headed home at the far post from an Elokobi cross.
Jones went down in the area as Wolves pushed for an equaliser in the dying moments but referee Mark Clattenburg was unimpressed.
Campbell spotted Hahnemann out of goal in injury-time but his effort from inside his own half stopped short.
Wolves had time to win one last corner but the whistle blew as soon as it was taken.
| Blackpool |
Team Statistics |
Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| 2 |
Goals |
1 |
| 2 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 4 |
Shots on Target |
9 |
| 5 |
Shots off Target |
9 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 4 |
Corners |
11 |
| 5 |
Fouls |
11 |
| 5 |
Offsides |
2 |
| 0 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 74.7 |
Passing Success |
78 |
| 21 |
Tackles |
23 |
| 66.7 |
Tackles Success |
69.6 |
| 43.5 |
Possession |
56.5 |
| 39.7 |
Territorial Advantage |
60.3 |
|
