FT: Blackpool 0-2 Birmingham
Laird header puts record-chasing Birmingham ahead, May doubles lead
Victory means League One champions Blues set new EFL points record for single season
Reading won Championship with 106pts in 2005-06 - Birmingham now on 108
Mansfield beat Peterborough 4-2 in Wednesday's other League One game
Blackpool 0-1 Birmingham City
Image source, Rex FeaturesBlackpool are thoroughly out-classed by a Birmingham side cruising to holding the new EFL points record.
Only one goal separates them on the score sheet, the energetic Ethan Laird nodding in the opener at the back post, but in the performance?
Gulfs. Mountains. Galaxies apart.
Blackpool 0-1 Birmingham City
No.
It goes straight out to a white shirt.
Opportunity wasted, wastes they can't afford against this calibre of opposition.
Blackpool 0-1 Birmingham City
One sole minute to go and Blackpool have a free-kick.
Can they muster up some magic?
Blackpool 0-1 Birmingham City
Reminder.
Birmingham City are on 108 points in the League One table right now. 1-0-8.
What a season!
Blackpool 0-1 Birmingham City
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM
Image source, PA MediaIt is way too easy, but it is a great delivery from Marc Leonard.
I don't know who was marking Ethan Laird from a Blackpool perspective.
Laird is one of the best in the air. So, I don't know why no one was marking him?
But Laird points to Leonard and tells the fans to congratulate him for his delivery.
Ethan Laird (39 mins)
Image source, Rex FeaturesKeshi Anderson wins a free-kick just outside the box and in great striking position.
It's taken but the hosts managed to clear it out for a corner.
They aren't so lucky with Marc Leonard's deep delivery though. He finds Ethan Laird lingering just past the far post and Laird is up to sharply head it into the net.
The gates are open, will we now see the flood we saw on Sunday from the side boasting a new EFL points record as it stands?
Will Evans (34 mins)
This is the kind of performance Mansfield were giving when they led the league at the start of the season.
Will Evans rises quickly to head in Louis Reed's cross and make it 3-0.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Marc Leonard takes a low strike from outside the box but sees his effort drag wide.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Steve Thompson
Former Blackpool assistant manager on BBC Radio Lancashire
Image source, Rex FeaturesI know you have to respect Birmingham but you have to challenge them.
If you don't press, this is what happens. Blackpool have had one good chance but overall they haven't been able to get into the final third.
You just hope Blackpool can keep this up for 90 minutes, as Birmingham have had 82% possession. At the moment they are just chasing the ball.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Ashley Fletcher is off and away for the home side, winning out on the tangle with Blues defender Christoph Klarer but instead of going forward for a one-v-one with the keeper, he's penalised.
He shakes his head.
They haven't had many moments like that in the game so far. He's probably getting a bit antsy for some time in the final third.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
There's a couple of boos as Ryan Allsop spends some time on the ball at the back, with Blues trying to work out their next move.
The 32-year-old spent some time at the seaside in 2017 during a loan spell.
They clearly aren't happy to see him back.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM
Image source, Rex FeaturesBlues are getting what they want and the Blackpool formation isn't working.
Willum Willumson has been given the space and has been able to really contribute in this game.
Blackpool don't look like they are going to change their setup any time soon.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Harry Tyrer really has been effective in that Blackpool goal.
He's got another effort to save, this time an arching strike from Ethan Laird in some space in the box.
No sweat for the Tangerines keeper, who parries it away.
He's not wearing tangerine like his team-mates of course but donning a royal purple - and doing a kingly job so far.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Steve Thompson
BBC Radio Lancashire summariser & former Blackpool assistant manager
It is a great save!
Harry Tyrer has commanded his box so far.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Blues' Willum Willumsson has his eye on the top corner as he tries to curl in an opener after linking up with Tomoki Iwata.
Blackpool keeper Harry Tyrer gets a glove on it though and it goes out for a corner.
It's taken with venom, with Ethan Laird racing to try and whack it into goal but the ball spins past him and out of play.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Darren Carter
Ex-Birmingham midfielder on BBC Radio WM
Image source, Rex FeaturesAt the moment Blackpool are having a tough time out on the Blues right-hand side.
It looks like this right-hand side could be a real opportunity for Blues on the attack.
But when Ethan Laird goes high, it does leave gaps for Blackpool to play in.
Keanu Baccus (7 mins)
Winless in six? This side?!
Jordan Bowery makes a tackle in the Posh box and what a great move it turns out to be.
Because, just as he had hoped, the ball moves to the feet of a team-mate, Keanu Baccus, who slices it swift as an arrow into the top corner.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Steve Thompson
BBC Radio Lancashire summariser & former Blackpool assistant manager
Birmingham are up there for a reason and have a squad of quality players.
It is important for Blackpool to show that they can be up there. But the 11 draws in 25 games is what has cost Blackpool the play-offs.
On their day this Blackpool side can take on anyone.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Image source, Rex FeaturesThe chances have made an appearance - and they've fallen to Blackpool!
Blues keeper Ryan Allsop needs to stick out a firm foot to block Albie Morgan's shot but it doesn't travel far and into a good position for Ashley Fletcher to jump on.
Blues defender Christoph Klarer is wise to it though and puts in the block, taking some damage with it.
He's up and alright though. He's got a record to break.
Blackpool 0-0 Birmingham City
Image source, Rex FeaturesDare I say, it's been a bit of a slow start in Lancashire.
Birmingham are seeing plenty of the ball - 86% of it in fact - but haven't managed to manufacture anything as of yet.
Kieran Dowell looks like he might get an opportunity in the Blackpool final third but he slips and the balls rolls out of play.
Just warming up...
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 33 | 9 | 3 | 82 | 30 | 52 | 108 |
| |
| 45 | 26 | 11 | 8 | 65 | 34 | 31 | 89 |
| |
| 45 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 69 | 41 | 28 | 84 |
| |
| 45 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 69 | 42 | 27 | 84 |
| |
| 45 | 24 | 10 | 11 | 64 | 42 | 22 | 82 |
| |
| 45 | 23 | 6 | 16 | 68 | 47 | 21 | 75 |
| |
| 45 | 21 | 12 | 12 | 66 | 53 | 13 | 75 |
| |
| 45 | 20 | 7 | 18 | 66 | 69 | -3 | 67 |
| |
| 45 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 68 | 59 | 9 | 64 |
| |
| 45 | 19 | 7 | 19 | 57 | 51 | 6 | 64 |
| |
| 45 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 64 | 54 | 10 | 61 |
| |
| 45 | 16 | 10 | 19 | 65 | 71 | -6 | 58 |
| |
| 45 | 15 | 11 | 19 | 52 | 58 | -6 | 56 |
| |
| 45 | 15 | 11 | 19 | 41 | 49 | -8 | 56 |
| |
| 45 | 15 | 11 | 19 | 49 | 62 | -13 | 56 |
| |
| 45 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 55 |
| |
| 45 | 13 | 12 | 20 | 67 | 79 | -12 | 51 |
| |
| 45 | 14 | 9 | 22 | 57 | 73 | -16 | 51 |
| |
| 45 | 12 | 14 | 19 | 47 | 65 | -18 | 50 |
| |
| 45 | 11 | 14 | 20 | 48 | 63 | -15 | 47 |
| |
| 45 | 11 | 10 | 24 | 55 | 82 | -27 | 43 |
| |
| 45 | 12 | 7 | 26 | 43 | 72 | -29 | 43 |
| |
| 45 | 9 | 11 | 25 | 44 | 71 | -27 | 38 |
| |
| 45 | 8 | 9 | 28 | 40 | 77 | -37 | 33 |
|
