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Kalvenes the hero for Clarets

Image: Kalvenes: First Burnley goal

Christian Kalvenes claimed his first Burnley goal as he struck to increase Blackpool's relegation fears.

Blackpool beaten to slide deeper into mire

Christian Kalvenes claimed his first Burnley goal as he struck five minutes from time to increase Blackpool's relegation fears. The full-back arrived in the box and fired home a left-footed drive beyond the diving Paul Rachubka in a match played in atrocious conditions. A fierce gusting wind and heavy rain disrupted the match all night, meaning that neither team could gain control of the ball and the goalkeepers struggled to take goalkicks. Referee Lee Mason consulted Blackpool caretaker boss Tony Parkes and opposite number Owen Coyle in the 21st minute but a joint decision was taken to continue playing. Blackpool may wish the game had been abandoned as they went on to lose their fourth home match in succession to slide into deeper trouble. Yet it was they who fashioned the better opportunities in a truly dire opening period and they almost led inside the second minute. Danny Coid whipped in a vicious cross from the right flank and Claus Jorgensen's header was deflected out for a corner. In the eighth minute, Burnley midfielder Kevin McDonald, recalled to the side after his side were thumped 4-2 at home by Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, collected possession 20 yards from goal. The Scottish youngster produced a delightful lofted effort which went narrowly over the far angle of bar and post. Moments later Coid again crossed dangerously from the right but both DJ Campbell and Brett Ormerod failed to connect and Burnley breathed again. Burnley came desperately close to leading in the 19th minute when Martin Paterson's close-range shot was headed off the line by Jorgensen.

Consultation

Then came the touchline consultation between Mason and the respective managers, and driving rain which soon made conditions even worse. Blackpool continued to hold the upper hand but they could not find the breakthrough before the interval whistle. Clarets boss Coyle sought to inject more width into his side in the 56th minute by replacing the below-par Robbie Blake with Wade Elliott. Seconds later Blackpool appealed vehemently for a penalty after Burnley skipper Steven Caldwell appeared to block the ball with his arm. Mason was unmoved, however, and the Clarets opened up Blackpool in a fine move which should have produced the game's opening goal. McDonald spotted Paterson making a clever run and his defence-splitting pass put Burnley's leading scorer in on goal with only Rachubka to beat. The Seasiders stopper was quick off his line to smother Paterson's scuffed right-foot shot and the pendulum quickly swung back towards the hosts. In the 79th minute the influential Jorgensen hit a shot which Brian Jensen fumbled but Campbell could not tuck away the rebound and six minutes later Burnley clinched the points. Kalvenes began a move which involved Chris Eagles and Elliott and culminated in him advancing into the box unopposed to sweep a low left-foot shot into the far corner.

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