Blackpool 3-1 Cardiff City: Bluebirds suffer second-half capitulation in shambolic defensive display

Cardiff City's shambolic defensive display saw them fall to a heavy 3-1 defeat away at Blackpool.

The Bluebirds created chances of their own and were competitive for long spells, particularly in the first half, but ultimately could not match the decisiveness shown by the Tangerines in key moments at Bloomfield Road. The second half, in particular, will be incredibly concerning for Brian Barry-Murphy, with Ashley Fletcher netting twice before Tom Bloxham rounded off the win.

The defeat means City have lost four of the last eight league matches in a worrying run of form which this youthful squad needs to snap out of after the international break. Because if promotion is the aim, they won't get there playing like this.

The first half was lively and open, with both sides threatening. Blackpool started the sharper, Ashley Fletcher and CJ Hamilton both getting early sights of goal, with the latter firing into the side-netting after a direct counter-attack. Cardiff struggled in the opening stages, misplacing passes and losing duels in midfield, but they eventually settled and began to assert some control.

Rubin Colwill was at the heart of most of Cardiff’s best moments before the break. He forced Bailey Peacock-Farrell into work on multiple occasions, including a superb reaction save from his diving header after a pinpoint cross from Joel Bagan.

A flurry of attacks followed, with Joel Colwill and Omari Kellyman also denied by the Blackpool goalkeeper. At the other end, Tom Bloxham struck the post with a sweetly hit volley, serving warning of what was to come.

Goalless at the break, the game swung decisively just two minutes into the second half. Josh Bowler slid Fletcher into space and the Blackpool striker worked the ball onto his