Blackpool 0-0 Stoke City: Seasiders’ Premier League fate continues to hang in the balance after stalemate

EPL – Blackpool vs Stoke City, Charlie Adam and Andy Wilkinson

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Blackpool failed to take a big step to securing their Premier League safety after a dull 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City.

Stoke had the game’s best chance when Kenwyne Jones missed an open goal but in truth it will be a game that both sets of fans will happily forget.

Blackpool were fighting for their Premier League future following a run of just one win in their previous 14 games that saw them slip to 17th and level on points with Wigan in the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Stoke were under no pressure ahead of the game – with their Premier League status all but secured for another season, Tony Pulis’ main objective will have been to make sure he kept all his key players fit with the FA Cup Final on the horizon.

Matthew Etherington tore a hamstring during Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Wolves so Dean Whitehead took his place in the Stoke midfield. Blackpool, meanwhile, kept the same team that drew with Newcastle a week ago.

The game started very scrappily at a sun-soaked Bloomfield Road and neither side were able to get the ball down and play.

The first chance of the game came the home side’s way in the sixth minute. David Vaughan, who has been voted player of the season by his fellow players at the club, hit a cross in the direction of DJ Campbell, but the striker couldn’t direct his header on target.

Two minutes later, Blackpool again pressed for the opening goal and Matt Phillips had a chance to open the scoring.

Keith Southern won the ball well in the middle of midfield and passed to Phillips who drove at the Stoke defence but under pressure, he dragged his shot wide of goal on his weaker left foot.

The away side constantly put bodies behind the ball to make it hard for Blackpool to pick passes and they also did their best to stop playmaker Charlie Adam getting on the ball.

Stoke themselves had limited first half chances and due to having a lopsided midfield, most of their play was directed through Jermaine Pennant with a couple of half opportunities coming from Rory Delap long throw-ins.

Getting shirty | Adam and Whitehead battle it out at Bloomfield Road

The first half looked like it was going to peter out, however, the best chance came right at the end of injury time.

Glenn Whelan slipped a through ball to Kenwyne Jones who rounded the Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks but the Trinidad and Tobago striker somehow fired wide of an open goal.

The second half started brightly for Blackpool and they should have taken the lead as Charlie Adam’s corner was met by Phillips but his flick was brilliantly saved by Asmir Begovic in the Stoke goal.

Whelan had a chance for the visitors 10 minutes into the half. He struck a shot from around 25 yards but Gilks handed Stoke a corner when it looked as though he could have caught the ball.

Tony Pulis was forced into a change early in the half as young defender Ryan Shotton replaced Andy Wilkinson while Ian Holloway tried to change things by replacing Phillips with the on-loan Sergei Kornilenko who has had little opportunity to impress since his January move from Zenit St Petersburg.

Chances were sparse to say the least as the game went on and again it was Whelan who had the best chance for Stoke. He picked up the ball around 30 yards from goal and his drive flew just inches wide of the post.

However, neither side managed to break the deadlock and the draw will suit Stoke rather more than Blackpool as they remain in the bottom three with just three games remaining.