Following on from Mad Mick/Merlin McCarthy’s 71 changes in the week, Roberto Di Matteo opted to stick with same team which had dramatically claimed a last minute draw against Queens Park Rangers in the week. With the influential Adam, Burgess and Clarke all missing for the home side through injury and Vaughan through suspension it was Albion who quickly got a foot-hold on the game.
Chris Brunt, this time playing with Bevis and Butthead on the back of his shirt, had an early chance for the visitors seconds in when he beat three Blackpool players with his pace before hitting a 45-yard effort with his right foot literally yards wide of Gilks’ goal.
It wasn’t long before the Baggies opened the scoring after Simon Cox’s channel bursting run and cross found the head of the unmarked Luke Moore in the six-yard box. The former Vile front-man managing to find the back of the net despite having his eyes closed.
Moore was in the action moments later when he chased down a long ball from Jonas Olsson and managed to win a corner off the long legs of defender Evatt. It was clear it was to be Albion’s afternoon when Jonas Olsson doubled Albion’s lead following a Dorrans’ corner. Two-nil to Albion with only six minutes on the clock.
The Baggies were dealing better with the icy conditions than the hosts and were unlucky not to score a third inside ten minutes when a double one-two, widely known in football circles as a one-two-three-four, between Cox and Moore saw Gilks save with his feet from the in-form Cox.
Goal crazy Albion
However it was only a brief respite for Blackpool with Joe Mattock scoring his first goal for the club in the 11th minute. Following a through ball from Dorrans, the promising England Under-21 international saw his cross/shot somehow squeeze between the legs of Gilks and put Albion three up much to the delight of the travelling 3,000 fans.
Despite enjoying 89.24% of possession, Dean Kiely was called into action for the first time on the quarter-hour mark when Luke Moore dallied on the ball leaving Dorrans and Jara out of position and Bouazza with a free run towards the Albion goal. With Olsson and Meite understandably chasing the runs away from goal of Blackpool’s forwards, Kiely made a smart save down to his left hand side.
The ‘keeper immediately rolled the ball out to Jerome Thomas on the edge of the Albion area who went on a mazy run across his box beating three Blackpool forwards. Reminiscent of Madonna back in 1986, Thomas carried on dropping the shoulder with slick step-overs the slim Ronaldo would’ve been proud of. The former Hull trainee continued past the half-way line as six home players trailed in his wake. The winger, with the goal of his dreams only 18-yards away, continued to dazzle with 10 Blackpool players now beaten and only Gilks between him and the goal of the decade. Ignoring the on-rushing Luke Moore, Thomas nutmegged the Blackpool stopper and rolled the ball over the line with his forehead. Cheeky or what!
The gifts continued for Albion two minutes later when a long punt up field from Dean Kiely was left in a comical ‘Darren Purse way’ with Gonzalo Jara gleefully beating Gilks down low for his second goal of the season.
Albion’s sixth goal of the afternoon was hard to come by with Chris Brunt, Graham Dorrans and Luke Moore all horribly slicing efforts nearer to the corner flag than the Blackpool goal. The Baggies were given a glorious opportunity to hit six when Luke Moore was brought down in the area following another long-bursting run into the area. Dorrans stepped up and coolly slotted home on the half-hour mark. The visitors amazingly 6-0 up at half-time.
After the break
Following an ear bashing from Ian Holloway at half-time the Seasiders came out with renewed vigour after the break. Roberto Di Matteo on the other hand could not have been more happy and decided to partake in a game of keepy-uppy at half-time with fellow trickster Felipe Teixeira.
Goals continued to flow for the Baggies with Abdoulaye Meite next to get his name on the score-sheet. Despite being labelled a headless chicken on numerous occasions last season, Meite proved he does have something above his neck as he rose like a salmon to head home a long Gianni Zuiverloon free-kick.
The visitors were now all at sea following wave-after-wave of attacks crashing down on their defences. Albion’s new ‘jigsaw’, Gianni Zuiverloon – who seems to go to pieces in front of goal – then scored one of the luckiest goals ever to have been scored in English football in the 50th minute. Following on from Roberto Di Matteo’s long ball tactics, Zuiverloon launched another long free-kick towards the home goal. After hitting the edge of a jagged icy puddle the ball changed direction and hit the inside of the right hand post before travelling along the goalline to hit the left post before finally rolling behind Gilks’ line.
The 8-0 scoreline couldn’t stop Chris Brunt’s frustrations as his face became more and more red with anger as the afternoon wore on. The former Sheffield Wednesday man swapped from the right, to the middle, behind the front two, out wide left, behind Dorrans and Jara and in front of Cox and Moore before finally finding his ideal position of the afternoon...next to the corner flag. Di Matteo and Eddie Newton’s new formation worked perfectly on 64 minutes when Brunt, taking an Albion corner, curled one in for his first of the afternoon and Albion’s ninth.
The influx of goals saw the majority of Blackpool fans head for the exits with the remaining 12 home fans still managing to out-sing the visitors holding Birmingham Road season tickets. Even the Brummie Road enders were singing in the 77th minute when Luke Moore was again brought down in the penalty area following a clever run from the hotshot. Despite Moore trying to grab the ball, captain Jonas Olsson decided evergreen Dean Kiely should step up for the penalty to try and score the first goal of his long career. Kiely’s poor kicking again came back to haunt him with Gilks making his 12th save of the afternoon to deny Deano a career first. However poor Kiely’s kicking may be his reactions are still superb with the ‘keeper first to the rebound to tap home into an empty net. The 59-year-old then received a booking for removing his shirt whilst celebrating in front of the travelling hoards.
By now Albion were coasting. A perfect ten by the seaside with Albion fans already planning a night of celebrations along the promenade – however the Baggies weren’t finished yet!
Moore adds to season tally – yes, you read that right!
The energetic Moore finally got more reward for another tireless performance in an Albion shirt when Gonzalo Jara robbed substitute Southern in midfield and fed the striker with his back to goal. The former England Under-21 international turned like a tornado before unleashing an unstoppable 25-yard rocket into the top corner. Bloomfield Road was stunned into silence – even Moore seemed shocked! Albion’s players mobbed Moore with Roberto Di Matteo and Eddie Newton piling on top after a shout of ‘pile on’ from Meite.
As the game ticked down to its climax Albion’s players did everything in their power to try and supply Moore with a chance of his hat-trick – even Chris Brunt moved into midfield from his new corner flag position. The fourth official’s board showed two minutes of added on time with Albion’s players resorting to the good old fashioned ‘hoof’ to try and supply Moore. Time and time again Olsson and Meite pumped the ball forward with Cox and his striker partner simply watching the ball sail over their heads.
However there was a final twist in the tale as Moore’s day of endless running bore fruit when he chased down a long punt up field from Kiely. Evatt controlled the ball on his chest and passed the ball back to his goalkeeper. As the ball found its way to Gilks’ feet Moore chased down the keeper. With the frontman bearing down the stopper blasted the ball forward and onto the forehead of Moore. Time seemed to stand still. The Albion fans all gasped in expectation. The subs on the bench all rose to their feet. Moore managed to open an eye as he lay faced down in the Blackpool mud and saw the ball loop over Gilks’ head towards an open goal. His non- stop selfless play had resulted in his second career hat-trick! However before the ball could cross the line, referee Foster blew his whistle for full-time. Merry Christmas everybody!