Blackpool 1-0 Portsmouth: Keshi Anderson hands Seasiders thoroughly deserved victory against League One promotion contenders

The midfielder’s strike, which finished off a flowing counter-attacking move from the Seasiders, was enough to separate the Seasiders at Bloomfield Road.

But the scoreline really ought to have been more comfortable, as Neil Critchley’s side dominated throughout thanks to a commanding and composed display.

The victory, Blackpool’s seventh from their last eight games, sets them up perfectly for Saturday’s tasty encounter against Fylde coast rivals Fleetwood Town.

Neil Critchley opted to make five changes to the side that beat Harrogate Town so convincingly in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Jordan Gabriel and Luke Garbutt were replaced in the full-back positions by the returning Ollie Turton and James Husband.

Dan Ballard, meanwhile, retained his place in the side following his impressive display in the cup, leaving Daniel Gretarsson to settle for a place on the bench.

Elsewhere, Ethan Robson returned to the fold in place of Grant Ward in midfield, while Sullay Kaikai and Jerry Yates both came back into the side - Ben Woodburn and Gary Madine the two to make way.

MJ Williams (elbow) and Matty Virtue (hamstring tendon) remain the only two absentees through injury.

The likes of Teddy Howe, Jordan Thorniley, Luke Garbutt, Grant Ward, Oliver Sarkic and Bez Lubala were all left out.

Portsmouth, who came into the game unbeaten away from home this season and boasting the league’s best scoring record, made one change from their last league outing.

The two sides cancelled each other out in a slow start to the game, with the first opening coming after 13 minutes had already passed.

Sullay Kaikai was the man involved, seeing his shot blocked from the edge of the box following a good give and go with Keshi Anderson down the left flank.

The midfield area of the pitch remained congested, with both sides looking to play some intricate football through the centre.

After unleashing CJ Hamilton down the flanks, Pool won themselves a corner which Dan Ballard climbed high to flick towards goal. It landed kindly for James Husband but he could only head weakly at Pompey keeper Craig MacGillivray.

The Seasiders began to make better use of their flanks as the game wore on and produced some dangerous crosses into the box, but without Madine in their side they were lacking an aerial threat.

The clearest opening of the game came the way of Blackpool midway through the opening period following some patient build-up from the men in tangerine.

Anderson eventually slipped in Hamilton down the left, the winger deciding to take the shot immediately and his low effort appeared to be creeping in at the near post, but MacGillivray did well to turn it into the side netting.

The visitors began to see more of the ball in attacking scenarios, but the Seasiders did well to repel them - Dan Ballard in particular producing a couple of timely blocks.

Portsmouth, a typical Kenny Jackett side, solid, unspectacular but hard to beat, created their first chance seven minutes before the break.

It was a good one too, as talismanic striker John Marquis, who has scored 11 goals already this season, dragged an effort inches wide of the far post.

Blackpool responded well, creating a couple of good opportunities before the break. Jerry Yates flicked the ball up for himself before volleying straight at MacGillivray, before Hamilton was thwarted by the Pompey keeper who was quick off his line.

The second-half began very much in the same vein as the first, with Blackpool looking the more likely without ever creating anything clear cut.

Hamilton made a smart run from right to left to latch onto Anderson’s through-ball, but the winger was crowded out and his eventual shot was deflected into the grateful arms of MacGillivray.

Blackpool continued to remain patient and composed in their build-up, playing some lovely, intricate stuff in and around the Pompey 18-yard box.

All their good play was lacking was a goal, but all that changed on 64 minutes when Anderson struck to give them a deserved lead.

It was a wonderful team goal, too, the Seasiders countering at speed, unleashing Hamilton down the right. The winger’s pullback was dummied superbly by Yates, allowing Anderson to arrive late in the box before sweeping home in emphatic fashion.

Pool smelt blood and looked to gain a quick second. Hamilton, involved in the thick of the action once again, cut inside from the right before seeing his low shot deflect just wide.

Despite bringing on an extra striker, the away side struggled to break Blackpool down and you never felt like an onslaught of pressure was ever going to come.

Leading by one goal with 10 minutes remaining, Pool could have been forgiven for sitting on their lead and attempting to see the game out.

But that’s not Blackpool’s style at all, the Seasiders instead opting to hunt for a second goal to put the game to bed.

After the referee played advantage, Kaikai surged towards the edge of the Portsmouth goal before unleashing a powerful drive that MacGillivray did well to parry away from the danger area.

A late Pompey equaliser would have been really cruel on the Seasiders, but Jackett’s side came close to getting one in the second minute of stoppage time.

Marquis, who cut a frustrated figure all evening, found himself some rare space before arrowing a low drive towards the near post. But Maxwell stood tall to make an important save to ensure the points.

TEAMS

Blackpool: Maxwell, Turton, Ekpiteta, Ballard, Husband, Dougall, Robson, Anderson (Woodburn), Hamilton, Kaikai, Yates (Madine)

Subs not used: Sims, Gabriel, Mitchell, Gretarsson, Kemp

Portsmouth: MacGillivray, Johnson, Whatmough, Raggett, Brown, Williams (Pring), Naylor, Cannon (Harrison), Curtis (Close), Harness, Marquis

Subs not used: Bass, Nicolaisen, Mnoga, Hiwula

Referee: Joshua Smith

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