Charlton Athletic 0-3 Blackpool: Jerry Yates nets two penalties as Seasiders cruise to win against NINE-man Addicks

The Seasiders dominated from start to finish as they continued their superb recent form with a fifth win from their last six games, with all victories being accompanied by clean sheets.

The damage was done in the first-half when a Yates penalty and a long-range stunner from Matty Virtue had Neil Critchley’s side in cruise control at half-time.

They were given further breathing space at the start of the second-half when the home side were reduced to 10 men when Darren Pratley was shown a second yellow following a collision with Jordan Gabriel.

Pool capitalised immediately, adding a third through Yates, who completed his brace with another penalty for his 13th goal of the campaign.

The drama didn’t end there though, as the hosts had another man sent off late on when Chuks Aneke was shown his marching orders for a stray elbow.

The result leaves Blackpool a point off their opponents in the league table with four games in hand still to play.

Blackpool came into the game looking to secure a second away victory on the bounce after beating Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park last weekend.

Neil Critchley opted to make just one change to the side that started that game, bringing in Matty Virtue for Kenny Dougall, who dropped down to the bench.

Marvin Ekpiteta, Keshi Anderson, CJ Hamilton and Gary Madine all remain sidelined, although Madine did travel with the squad.

New signing Stuart Moore, who joined on a short-term deal until the end of the season on Friday, was named on the bench as Pool’s sub goalkeeper.

Charlton, who had lost their last three home games and were without a win at The Valley since December 12 heading into this encounter, made three changes to the side that lost to bottom side Burton Albion in midweek.

The Seasiders were dealt a major blow just minutes before kick-off when James Husband was forced out of the warm-up after suffering an injury to his right leg.

He was replaced by Jordan Thorniley in central defence, while Nathan Shaw was brought onto the bench.

Blackpool have responded well to setbacks all season long and that’s exactly what happened here with just 10 minutes on the clock.

Critchley’s men were awarded a penalty when Ellis Simms was scythed down by Deji Oshilaja as he attempted to latch onto Sullay Kaikai’s clever through-ball.

The referee had no option but to point to the spot and Jerry Yates made no mistake from 12 yards, firing down the middle for his 12th goal of the campaign.

The hosts almost levelled things up just six minutes later when Preston North End loanee Jayden Stockley headed past Chris Maxwell, only to see the linesman’s flag raised for offside.

At the other end, Luke Garbutt pulled rank over Sullay Kaikai to curl a 30-yard free-kick over Ben Amos’ bar.

Pool were denied a second spot kick on the half-hour mark, with Oshilaja and Simms the two men involved once again.

The Charlton defender, who picked up a booking earlier in the game, despite not being shown a card for the early penalty, clearly had hold of Simms inside the box, but referee Brett Huxtable remained unmoved.

Nevertheless, Blackpool continued to dominate proceedings, picking up all second balls and remaining solid and organised at the back.

All their dominance was missing was a deserved second goal, but that all changed in the 38th minute when Matty Virtue doubled their lead.

He did it in some style, too, firing home in off the post from 25 yards, giving goalkeeper Amos absolutely no chance.

Simms, who had run Charlton’s backline ragged all half, was involved once again as he fought off some pressure before laying the ball into Virtue’s path.

Addicks boss Lee Bowyer made his displeasure clear during the interval, making four changes to his side.

But it went from bad to worse for the home side within two minutes of the second period when they were reduced to 10 men.

Darren Pratley, already on a booking from the first-half, was the man to be given his marching orders following an off-the-ball collision with Jordan Gabriel.

The Seasiders capitalised on their one-man advantage immediately after being awarded a second penalty of the game.

This one looked a little softer than the first, as Yates was brought to ground by half-time substitute Ben Watson.

Yates dusted himself down to stick the spot kick away to complete his brace, the ball slipping under the reach of Amos who had dived the right way.

With Charlton rapidly losing their heads, Pool ploughed ahead in search of further goals, Luke Garbutt drilling narrowly wide of the near post.

The Seasiders allowed the 10 men of Charlton to have the lion’s share of possession in the final stages, with Critchley even withdrawing two-goal striker Yates from the action to give his man a well-deserved breather.

Charlton, who had accepted their fate by this point, briefly threatened from a couple of set pieces, one of which was headed weakly over by Stockley.

The home side still found time to capitulate further, the ill-disciplined Addicks being reduced to nine men five minutes from time.

Substitute Chuks Aneke was the man to be shown a straight red card, the striker penalised for an elbow on Dan Ballard.

TEAMS

Charlton: Amos, Gunter, Oshilaja, Famewo, Purrington (Maatsen), Pratley, Shinnie, Millar (Watson), Jaiyesimi (Smith), Washington (Aneke), Stockley (Schwartz)

Subs not used: Harness, Pearce

Blackpool: Maxwell, Gabriel, Ballard, Thorniley, Garbutt, Stewart, Virtue, Ward (Robson), Kaikai (Mitchell), Simms (Shaw), Yates (Embleton)

Subs not used: Moore, Turton, Dougall

Referee: Brett Huxtable

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