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Ian Holloway brands Ian Evatt’s sending off against Arsenal 'unbelievably harsh'
Tangerines relieved to ship only six goals...
21 Aug 2010 18:09:00
By Michael Landon
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway believes Ian Evatt's sending off was "pivotal" in the Seasiders' 6-0 drubbing at the hands of a rampant Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners had too much class for the newly-promoted visitors and strikes from Abou Diaby, Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and a Theo Walcott hat-trick put Holloway's side to the sword.
Blackpool conceded a penalty with just half-an-hour on the clock after Evatt brought down Chamakh but in further punishment, referee Michael Jones also produced a red card for what he deemed a professional foul.
Arshavin stepped up and converted from the spot and Holloway believes that was the turning point in the game, whilst also conceding Arsenal were too good for his side.
"There's pivotal points [in games]. It was going to be a tough day for us anyway I think to be honest, coming to this wonderful ground, the way they play. The bench was pretty scary nevermind who was on there," he told Sky Sports after the game.
"I think we started quite well, but the pace of this team we played, and the pace of the game caught us really and I think the referee has made a decision that I think is harsh to say the least. My player not only gives a penalty away but gets sent off as well, which I think is unbelievably harsh because I thought he played the ball."
However, Holloway is already thinking past the match and looking ahead to Blackpool's survival this season in the Premier League, to which goal difference could play a factor.
"After that [penalty and the sending off] it was a mountain to climb and I am just relieved it was only six," he added.
"That might sound crazy, but you never know, goal difference might come into it and now we are only minus two after last week."
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The Gunners had too much class for the newly-promoted visitors and strikes from Abou Diaby, Andrey Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and a Theo Walcott hat-trick put Holloway's side to the sword.
Blackpool conceded a penalty with just half-an-hour on the clock after Evatt brought down Chamakh but in further punishment, referee Michael Jones also produced a red card for what he deemed a professional foul.
Arshavin stepped up and converted from the spot and Holloway believes that was the turning point in the game, whilst also conceding Arsenal were too good for his side.
"There's pivotal points [in games]. It was going to be a tough day for us anyway I think to be honest, coming to this wonderful ground, the way they play. The bench was pretty scary nevermind who was on there," he told Sky Sports after the game.
"I think we started quite well, but the pace of this team we played, and the pace of the game caught us really and I think the referee has made a decision that I think is harsh to say the least. My player not only gives a penalty away but gets sent off as well, which I think is unbelievably harsh because I thought he played the ball."
However, Holloway is already thinking past the match and looking ahead to Blackpool's survival this season in the Premier League, to which goal difference could play a factor.
"After that [penalty and the sending off] it was a mountain to climb and I am just relieved it was only six," he added.
"That might sound crazy, but you never know, goal difference might come into it and now we are only minus two after last week."
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