Pundits left stunned as Blackpool boss delivers 'better team' verdict on Forest victory

Sky Sports pundits Marlon Harewood and Ian Holloway were left bemused by Blackpool boss Neil Critchley's verdict that his side matched Nottingham Forest despite suffering a 4-1 defeat.

Steve Cooper's side boosted their play-off aspirations with the humbling victory on the seaside thanks to goals from Philip Zinckernagel, a Brennan Johnson brace and Sam Surridge - Callum Connolly scored a late consolation goal for the home side.

The visitors dominated proceedings and were fully deserving of the big win, although Critchley felt his Tangerines side were the "better team" against Forest.

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"To be honest with you, I thought we were competitive today," Critchley said on Sky Sports at full-time.

"We got punished in vital moments - they were clinical, really clinical. We've not done well enough in both boxes. In the middle of the pitch, we were arguably the better team at times. We've created a lot of chances, we showed great spirit and kept going right to the end.

"We've been harshly punished today and had no luck. You look at the first and third goals, we make mistakes, and they punish us. We had opportunities throughout the game. Our response to going 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 down was good.

"We had chances at the start of the second. It's just not gone our way, and that can happen when playing good teams with good players. That's the reality of the Championship."

He added: "The third goal in any game is a big goal. Our response to going behind was excellent. We started the game well and had good organisation. They weren't playing through us and getting near the