Blackpool 3-0 Middlesbrough

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 02 January 2012

Matt Phillips and Lomana Lua Lua are among the goalscorers as Blackpool begin 2012 with an impressive win over high-flying Middlesbrough.

Blackpool convincingly ended Middlesbrough's five-match unbeaten run at Bloomfield Road this afternoon.

All the goals came in the second-half goals with Matt Phillips, Lomana Lua Lua and a Seb Hines own goal giving Ian Holloway's men all three points.

High-flying Boro began the game strongly and looked as if they would record their eighth away win of the season, with Rhys Williams going closest. The Australian thought he had opened the scoring only to see his shot cleared off the line by Ludovic Sylvestre.

Holloway's half-time team talk seemed to have an impact and the Seasiders came out a different side in the second period, going ahead five minutes after the resumption.

Phillips rolled off Matthew Bates easily and fiercely shot low past Luke Steele before Lua Lua made it two after 57 minutes with a simple finish from close range.

The points were secured when Hines stuck out a leg to turn a Phillips cross into his own net.

Blackpool move within one point of the playoffs while Middlesbrough drop from second to fourth as the top of the Championship gets ever tighter.