It would be easy to start with a damning indictment of Tony McMahon who has badly let down his new manager, his team mates and those who paid good money to watch Blackpool on Wednesday night, but better to start with the positives. Two great goals, a fantastic first half and then a second half where the Seasiders used all their strength to keep Fulham from taking all three points. Well done Lee Clark on restoring some pride and hopefully it's the first small step on a long journey.

Clark's team selection raised a few eyebrows with Charles Dunne retaining his place over Joan Oriol, David Perkins coming back in to midfield and a start for Andre Blackman with Fonz and Nile Ranger dropped to the bench. There was a debut for Jacob Murphy and fair play to the new gaffer. He's not afraid to experiment with this side and give players an opportunity and most of them repaid him with this performance.

Ishmael Miller put Blackpool ahead after just 90 seconds. Donervon Daniels played a ball into the box and Miller controlled with his chest before coolly poking his shot past Marcus Bettinelli. Miller celebrated with a samba and showed off his quick feet again in the 26th minute, hurtling into the box then pulling the ball back to leave Jacob Murphy to tap in. Then came the turning point of the game as Tony McMahon was sent off late in the first half for kicking out at Hugo Rodagella. Scott Parker pulled one back in first-half stoppage time from a Moussa Dembele corner and Fulham, always pressing, scored again when Joe Lewis helped Ruiz’s corner in after the keeper appeared to be pushed. Lewis had an excellent game and this was harsh on the keeper.

The stats for this game are astonishing. Possession 73%:23%. Shots 32:7. Corners 18:1 It took a gargantuan effort from the Blackpool players to keep Fulham down to two goals and this is definitely, all things considers, a point in the right direction. Not much time to recovery but with some fresh legs available with the arrival of Jamie O'Hara, Clark will head back to the drawing board ready to head to Elland Road.

Photo: Action Images

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