Blackpool in the Premier League 10 years on: Brett Ormerod's big night as Tottenham Hotspur are beaten at Bloomfield Road

This midweek a decade ago, STEVE CANAVAN witnessed the Seasiders returning to winning ways with a memorable 3-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur….

Did you make it to work on time this morning?

Judging by the packed pubs on Lytham Road on the way home, I’m guessing not.

Then again I’m sure any self-respecting employer would forgive late arrivals, for this was a victory which will be remembered on the Fylde for a long, long time.

It was absolutely crucial in terms of getting the bandwagon back on track – two more victories might even be enough to stay up now – and Brett Ormerod grabbing the third, history-making goal, put a large blob of icing on the tastiest of cakes.

The fact it was the first win over Spurs since 1966 is irrelevant. That’s just a stat. It is the context of this win which makes it so welcome – Premier League survival is now within the club’s grasp.

Mind you, forget the result for a moment. What about the big news of the week?

Ian Holloway beat Brad Pitt, Jonathan Ross and George Clooney in a beard competition.

The Beard Liberation Front, an organisation which campaigns in support of beards and opposes discrimination against those who wear them (I’m honestly not making this up), awarded Holloway the ‘My Hairy Valentine Sexiest Beard Award’.

I only mention this because there were a fair few close shaves at Bloomfield Road with Tottenham piling on the pressure at times.

Spurs’ finishing in general was woeful. The Seasiders, meanwhile, were superb all over the park and richly deserved their first win since seeing off Liverpool seven games ago.

Holloway was bold with his selection, making four changes, including bringing in Sergei Kornilenko.

This was a major surprise as, 24 hours before kick-off, the manager was debating whether the Belarus man should even be on the bench.

A last-minute decision by Holloway to pitch the big striker straight in proved an inspired decision, Kornilenko making vital contributions to the first two goals.

The manager also went for Ludovic Sylvestre in midfield, Neal Eardley at right-back and James Beattie. It worked a treat, the new-look frontline linking well all evening, and causing Spurs problems they probably didn’t anticipate.

Tottenham were without the likes of Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, but their starting 11 still looked immensely good. It’s easy to see why they are once again challenging for a top four place.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto immediately caught the eye, with a haircut so impressively unkempt it made one wonder if there was a small creature living in it.

After a cagey opening period, Bloomfield Road was brought to life on 18 minutes when the Seasiders went ahead.

Eardley deserves big credit, heavily involved in a move which led to his cross being chested by Kornilenko into the path of DJ Campbell, who was felled by Sebastien Bassong’s challenge.

Charlie Adam made Spurs wish they’d been successful with their deadline day attempt to sign him by planting a left-footed penalty past Heurelho Gomes.

Adam, playing beautifully, almost had a major slice of misfortune 10 minutes later when, after Craig Cathcart had brilliantly blocked Steven Pienaar’s shot, Adam’s attempted clearance hit the same player and whistled over his own crossbar.

Cathcart, looking even more imperious than usual, performed heroics to head Jermain Defoe’s chip against the bar and into his keeper’s grateful arms.

In general it was good stuff from Pool. They were more than matching Spurs, and almost every individual in tangerine was having a terrific game.

The inclusion of Sylvestre in particular was proving inspired – the Frenchman possesses a lovely touch and could become a big player in the final 11 games.

Spurs almost broke through before the break, but Ian Evatt’s right boot came to the rescue in illegal but necessary fashion – halting the run of Pienaar.

Alex Baptiste became the second Pool man to clear off the line, hammering away Defoe’s close-range effort. Then, a swift break down the pitch and a second goal. Campbell started and finished it,

Kornilenko’s backheel in the build up was sublime and so was Beattie’s chip back into the box. Like every good striker, Campbell was perfectly placed to volley in his 10th of the campaign.

Tottenham claimed offside. It was tight but things were going the Seasiders’ way and the assistant ref kept his flag down. Great decision...

Richard Kingson made a vital stop at the start of the second half, keeping out Roman Pavlyuchenko’s header.

The best bit though was Adam, instead of clearing, deciding to dribble the ball around in his own six-yard box for a few moments, nutmegging Pienaar.

Dunce’s cap if it backfires, genius when it works – and with Adam it normally does. For his next trick, the skipper breezed past Luka Modric and into the box but his angled drive flew past the post.

Spurs, meanwhile, seemed to be having a private competition to see who could shoot over most often and by how much. Pavlyuchenko won it – almost taking off a spectator’s head at the back of the South Stand.

Holloway showed his hand early, making all three subs by the 63rd minute. Keith Southern replaced Sylvestre, then Ormerod and Matt Phillips came on for the tiring Beattie and Kornilenko.

Kingson made another brilliant save from another Pavlyuchenko header to preserve Pool’s two-goal advantage. The Ghanaian might not have dealt with some first-half crosses too well but did he make up for it with his shot-stopping.

When he was beaten – Modric’s chip when clean through in the 72nd minute for instance – someone else was there to mop it up, on this occasion Baptiste.

Pool’s goal was leading a charmed life. But, hey, this is the Premier League and Spurs are one of the best teams in it – what did everyone expect?

A marvellous moment came 10 minutes from the end when Ormerod rewrote the record books – the first Blackpool player to score in all four divisions.

Phillips burst into the box and the danger looked over, but Ormerod pounced on a mistake by Assou-Ekotto to smash the ball in.

Bloomfield Road erupted. Harry Redknapp had a face like a smacked behind.

Tottenham looked so down and out it was a bit of a shock when Pavlyuchenko scored with a terrific dipping volley deep into stoppage time.

But it didn’t matter. Pool had pulled off a victory which will long be remembered in these parts, not least by a Mr B Ormerod.

A much-needed three points and what a way to get them.

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