Blackpool come from behind to stun Blackburn at Ewood Park

Posted Wednesday, August 28, 2024 by PA

Managerless Blackpool produced a stirring comeback to shock Championship Blackburn 2-1 in the Carabao Cup.

Rovers went ahead in the 21st minute when Arnor Sigurdsson was brought down by Oliver Casey. Makhtar Gueye stepped up to expertly slot home the penalty.

It felt as though it would be a routine win at that stage and Sigurdsson fired over from close range shortly afterwards, though Elliot Embleton volleyed wildly over when the ball sat up invitingly for him.

Gueye went close after the break only for Richard O’Donnell to save his low header, but the Seasiders were growing into the game and went agonisingly close to an equaliser when Ollie Norburn’s superb lob cannoned off the crossbar.

They got their rewards in the 72nd minute when the impressive Rob Apter’s cross found Jake Beesley at the near post and he controlled beautifully before slotting home from close range.

The visitors sent their fans into raptures five minutes later when Hayden Coulson robbed Joe Rankin-Costello and surged forward to slam past goalkeeper Aynsley Pears from 15 yards.

O’Donnell saved a curling Sigurdsson strike before a heroic goal-line clearance denied Ryan Hedges as Blackpool secured a first Ewood win since 1977.