Controversy

By Chris,
February 3 2011

Manchester United staged a stunning, trademark second-half comeback at Bloomfield Road in a 3-2 victory. Blackpool took a two-goal lead into the interval; but Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez were the heroes after the break as the Red Devils took maximum points off their Lancastrian rivals. 

Ian Holloway's men dominated the opening period with two headed goals handing the plucky outfit a surprise two-goal lead at the interval.

Ex-Red Craig Cathcart broke the deadlock after only 13 minutes. He shrugged off marker Berbatov and nodded beyond the reach of a helpless Edwin van der Sar.

Want-away midfielder Charlie Adam was dictating proceedings in the middle off the park as Blackpool ran rings around United.

The Scotsman’s corner provided the second goal, two minutes before the break, as DJ Campbell pounded to nod home the second goal.

A fuming Sir Alex Ferguson sent on evergreen Ryan Giggs for out-of-sorts Darron Gibson at the break as United searched for a way back into the game – but it was Blackpool who looked the most likely in the early exchanges.

Home fans were fuming after Luke Varney appeared to have been bundled down by an aggressive Rafael Da Silva in the penalty box. The referee waved away Tangerine protests and United lifted in confidence.

The comeback didn’t start, however, until the 73^rd minute. Bulgarian marksman Berbatov was on hand to turn home Darren Fletcher’s cross from close-range and the away fans were jubilant and, suddenly, expectant.

United didn’t disappoint and drew level within a long blink of the eye. Goal-hungry substitute Hernandez, who replaced a poor Rooney, latched onto Giggs' through ball and converted to restore parity in stunning fashion.

A resilient Blackpool were now on their knees. They looked like they may cling onto a point before Berbatov picked up Paul Scholes’ pass and unleashed a fine finish beyond Richard Kingson with stoppage time approaching.

You’ve got to feel sorry for Blackpool – but this was a superb comeback, a fine win and, perhaps, the sort of stuff Champions are made of.

Full Time - Blackpool 2-3 Manchester United
Attendance – 15,574