Delighted Neil Critchley gives his verdict on Blackpool's five-star showing against Wigan Athletic

The Seasiders, missing 10 players due to Covid-19 and injuries, saw off the Latics 5-0 to record their first victory of 2021 in emphatic style.

Marvin Ekpiteta, Jerry Yates and Matty Virtue all got amongst the goals before Everton loanee Ellis Simms netted a late double on his first league appearance.

Blackpool, who also found time to hand a debut to new signing Kevin Stewart off the bench and a first league appearance for youngster Rob Apter, hit five in the league away from home for the first time since thrashing Leeds United at Elland Road in 2011.

It left Critchley in a delighted mood, commenting: “It’s a great night.

“Considering the circumstances, I couldn’t be prouder of the players after that performance.

“To come here and score five goals and keep a clean sheet, it couldn’t have been any better for us.

“I think we’ve threatened to produce a win like that this season, but the difference tonight is that we’ve been clinical in front of goal. When we created the chances, we took them.

“To come away and score five goals like we did and keep a clean sheet, the effort from the players throughout the team was magnificent.

“For the first half an hour there’s nothing in the game. I said before they’re better than their league position suggests and they showed that early on, because they played some good football.

“But when we scored our goals we really turned the screw and I thought our second-half display was fantastic.”

Despite leading 2-0 at half-time, Critchley knows his side couldn’t afford to rest on their laurels having previously squandered a two-goal lead earlier in the season.

Having led by that scoreline against Doncaster Rovers, Pool went on to lose the game - but Critchley’s side made sure that didn’t happen again.

“It got a mention, yes, so it was nice for us to get the third goal because that’s crucial in any game,” Pool’s head coach added.

“If it becomes 2-1 and they have the momentum, then we’ve experienced what can happen in that situation already this season.

“For us to get the third goal, and it was a fantastic, well-worked goal and a great finish from Matty, just gave us that breather and settled us down.

“At the end of the game we played some good, controlled football on a difficult pitch.”

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