By Tim Hodges
Blackpool 3 Brighton & Hove Albion 1
Albion lost their first league game of the year as they were beaten 3-1 away at Blackpool.
As a result the Seagulls dropped to 8th place in the Championship.
The Albion were undone by veteran striker Kevin Philips. The 38-year-old has now scored four goals against the Seagulls this season.
However, it was on-loan full back Joe Mattock who put the Albion in front in unorthodox style.
Mattock, who spoke to Brighton and Hove News specifically about his scoring record earlier in the week, deflected Vicente Rodriguez’s cross into the goal via his shoulder to put Albion in front after just seven minutes.
Peter Brezovan came to Albion’s rescue soon after with a great save low down to his right.
Blackpool persisted and Stephen Crainey fired a ball into the box, which Ian Evatt reacted to first. He drove the ball past Brezovan for the equaliser.
Almost from the restart Tom Ince strode through the Albion defence and cut the ball back for Phillips to fire the Seasiders in front at 2-1.
Early in the second half Gonzalo Jara Reyes received a straight red card for a bad foul on Ince and Albion’s job became even harder.
Before he was replaced by Will Buckley, Vicente had a free kick which just shaved the post.
Gordon Greer had a great chance with a header but the ball fell straight to Blackpool goalkeeper Matt Gilks.
Then Buckley had a half chance easily dealt with by the Blackpool keeper.
But the Albion were finally undone by a second close range effort from Phillips again after good work by Ince.
The Seagulls will hope to get back to winning ways at home to Derby County this coming Tuesday.
