Blackpool 2 Blackburn 0: Appleton's unbeaten run goes on but it's more gloom for Berg

PUBLISHED: 12:25 EST, 15 December 2012 | UPDATED: 12:25 EST, 15 December 2012

Blackpool netted a goal in each half to see off Blackburn and maintain boss Michael Appleton's unbeaten start to life at Bloomfield Road.

Rovers had more than their fair share of chances in the first half but Wes Thomas had headed Blackpool in front by the time Simon Vukcevic rattled the post for the visitors.

Henning Berg's side were unable to muster anything like a similar threat in a second half of few chances, and switched off late on to let former Rangers defender Kirk Broadfoot net a first Seasiders goal.

Advantage Blackpool: Wes Thomas hit the first at Bloomfield Road

Match facts

Blackpool: Gilks, Baptiste, Broadfoot, Cathcart, Harris, Osbourne, Gomes, Martinez, Delfouneso, Thomas (Taylor-Fletcher 69), Ince (Dicko 82). Subs not used: Halstead, Eardley, Kevin Phillips, Noguera, Bruna.

Goals: Thomas 22, Broadfoot 81.

Blackburn: Kean, Henley, Dann, Givet, Martin Olsson, Vukcevic (Rochina 74), Lowe, Etuhu, King, Rhodes, Kazim-Richards. Subs not used: Robinson, Dunn, Pedersen, Grant Hanley, Ribeiro, Rosado.

Booked: King.

Att: 15,907.

Ref: Graham Scott.

The latest Championship table, fixtures and results

Appleton has now masterminded two wins from three outings, having begun his tenure as Ian Holloway's replacement with four consecutive draws.

The result moves Blackpool three points and four places above Blackburn, who are floundering in 15th place in the npower Championship having won once during Berg's nine matches at the helm.

Bob Harris enjoyed his second start of the season for Blackpool at left-back in place of the suspended Steven Crainey, while Gary Taylor-Fletcher was named among the substitutes after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Berg sprung a surprise by dropping former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and naming Jake Kean in his starting XI - one of four changes to the Blackburn side thrashed 4-1 by Cardiff eight days ago as Gael Givet, Colin Kazim-Richards and Vukcevic earned recalls.

Blackpool were perhaps surprised by the sight of on-loan Galatasaray forward Kazim-Richards launching a long-throw in the second minute and Vukcevic was allowed space to fire over.

The visitors were quickest out of the blocks and Seasiders defender Craig Cathcart required a last-ditch challenge to deny Jordan Rhodes from Kazim-Richards' cross, before Matt Gilks made saves in quick succession to thwart Rhodes and Vukcevic.

Opening his account: Kirk Broadfoot (back right) nods Blackpool's second - his first for the club since joining from Rangers

It was therefore against the run of play when Nathan Delfouneso crossed from the left for Thomas to glance in with the assistance of a statuesque Blackburn defence in the 24th minute.

Dickson Etuhu had a chance to bring Blackburn level after the half hour but shot wide from Josh King's clipped cross as Blackpool failed to fully clear a corner.

Kean was nearly caught out by a clever Tiago Gomes free-kick from the left before Scott Dann produced a vital block to divert an Ince effort at the end of a solo run into the side netting.

But it was almost all-square at the break as Vukcevic rattled the post with a shot on the turn.

Kazim-Richards and Thomas both hobbled back into the action following injury scares during a scrappy start to the second half.

England Under 21 winger Ince appeared the most likely source of extending Blackpool's lead and, after breaking free of the Rovers defence to test Kean low to his right, he exchanged passes with Harris for the latter to fire over in the 65th minute.

Harris managed to extend Kean when the Rovers keeper pushed a rasping free-kick behind, but the points were made safe from the resulting corner.

Gomes' outswinging delivery from the right found Broadfoot to thump home unmarked with nine minutes to play.

Givet thought he had a consolation but was flagged offside before Dann almost compounded Rovers' misery by heading against his own post in stoppage time.

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Steve Kean must be laughing his head off at Blackburn fans. They were doing so much better under him. He should still be there getting results while being abused by a massive crowd of 12000!!!!!!

- pgapro , Reading, 16/12/2012 10:29

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Keep up the good work Agent Berg!

- Neil , UK, 15/12/2012 20:11

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More losses require more players in the transfer window...more players mean more commission for those involved. I was in the away end today and it was an absolute disgrace. It was clear to all present that Rovers' players didn't even attempt to win the game. This has been the pattern ever since Berg joined the club. In Berg's last 19 games as a "football manager" he has now managed to achieve 8 points out of a possible 57. Unfortunately (judging by the calls for Venky's to go) fans still believe Venky's own the club. This has allowed the real culprits to go unnoticed. One of which was on the pitch today and should be thoroughly ashamed of himself....

- honestopinion , Lancs, 15/12/2012 19:02

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I think we have another YES man in the making. How can we spend so much money and now lay 15th in the championship. Someone seriously needs to come in and buy this club so we can exit these Venky's, all the backroom staff and dare I say a good 50% of the playing staff. What has happened - event under Steve Kean (hate to say it), we probably would have accumulated more points. I appreciate Berg needs time but unfortunately that isn't something we have. The game are coming thick and fast and we're now a good 4 wins off the pace with those above us winning still. Bring in Mark Hughes - he knows this club - one last throw of the dice as come mid January, we will know whether we are a serious promotion contention

- benr , Bristol, 15/12/2012 18:47

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Just heard Hening Berg's interview on radio Lancs. What planet is he on, sounds like he thought Rovers were the better side! If I hadn't seen him with my own eyes I would have guessed he wasn't at the game. The first half was even, I'll admit that, but Pool dominated the second. I think Rovers may struggle this season if they don't start gelling soon, but they need to acknowledge a poor performance when they see one. Pool on the other hand are definatelly finding their feet under Appy. And, thank the Lord, we finally scored from a set piece. Another performance like that against Wolves on Friday and it's game on.

- bfc1887 , Fylde, 15/12/2012 18:18

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If anyone STILL seriously believes Venky's own the football club then I'm afraid they are deluded. Venky's are only the front for a consortium who are financially stripping the club. Those involved appear to involve current/past players as well as a certain football agent.

- honestopinion , Lancs, 15/12/2012 18:03

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