Blackpool 1-6 Bournemouth

Brett Pitman scored from a re-taken penalty as Bournemouth hammered Blackpool

An impressive Bournemouth hit six past lowly Blackpool to move one point clear at the top of the Championship table.

The visitors opened the scoring when Matt Ritchie's effort bobbled over goalkeeper Joe Lewis and Callum Wilson made it two before the break.

Ritchie curled in a third before Nathan Delfouneso tapped in for the hosts, but then Brett Pitman scored from the spot after Darren O'Dea had fouled Wilson.

Late goals from Marc Pugh and Harry Arter ensured an easy Bournemouth win.

Eddie Howe's side have now scored 17 goals in their last five league games.

Meanwhile, Blackpool saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end and they remain four points behind second-from-bottom Wigan.

Bournemouth's opening goal - although well-deserved - was slightly fortunate, as Ritchie's relatively tame shot hit a bobble on a poor pitch to deflect over the helpless Lewis.

Blackpool had only themselves to blame for the Cherries' second, as Chris Eagles tried to usher the ball out of play but was caught out by Charlie Daniels, who crossed for Wilson to convert.

After Ritchie's spectacular third, Delfouneso looked to have given the hosts hope but Bournemouth restored their three-goal lead within a minute.

Almost straight from the re-start, a long ball forward led to O'Dea clearly fouling Wilson and, after being ordered to re-take his initial spot-kick, Pitman converted emphatically into the bottom corner.

The visitors could have scored more and Ritchie could have netted a hat-trick but, after Pugh and Arter's late strikes, they had to settle for a convincing five-goal advantage.

Blackpool manager Lee Clark said:

"It was a horrendous day for everybody. I'd like to apologise to the supporters for the result and performance. Hopefully they will stick with us and keep giving us their terrific support.

"We knew it would be a tough ask but we've been resolute and strong in the last four games.

"This group of players has worked unbelievably hard and it could be quite easy for me to go in there and rant and rave and knock the confidence, which would not be beneficial for anybody.

"I'm angry, disappointed, embarrassed and upset and the players are as well."

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe said:

"We don't want to get too carried away with what we can achieve at the end of the season.

"We just keep ticking along for the minute. This is uncharted territory for us as a club. Let's just enjoy the moment and see where it can take us. We're delighted with where we are but there are big tests to come.

"The win was up there as our best performance. It's even more impressive when you consider the pitch. When we got here we were disappointed with the state of it and thought this was going to be a difficult afternoon."