Blackpool 2 Manchester City 3:Skipper Carlos Tevez maintained his remarkable scoring record for Manchester City as they overcame a stubborn Blackpool to go second in the Barclays Premier League. The Argentine international second-half brace in the victory against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road was just what manager Roberto Mancini wanted.
The former Manchester United striker has now scored 28 goals in his last 31 league games and become a cult figure in the process. Substitute David Silva was also on target while Marlow Harewood, who also stepped off the bench, and Gary Taylor-Fletcher replied for Blackpool.
City only got going as a team in the second half but Tevez made his intentions clear as early as the fourth minute when he dragged his shot across the face of the area.
Blackpool again found themselves on the back foot two minutes later. Adam Johnson thumped in a shot that Matt Gilks did well to turn over the bar.
The home team responded two minutes later but DJ Campbell dragged his effort wide of the post.
Back came City and Vincent Kompany’s powerful header was saved by Gilks in the 19th minute following a cross from James Milner.
Blackpool were not short of confidence after beating Liverpool and Taylor-Fletcher found himself in space 20 yards out only to direct his effort nearer the corner flag than the goal.
Campbell was also wasteful in the 33rd minute sending a free header wide of the post after a cross from Stephen Crainey.
City responded immediately with Nigel de Jong releasing Tevez. He tried to pick out Adebayor but David Vaughan was alert to the danger and made the clearance.
Adebayor then looked to be held back by Crainey and failed to connect with a header. The ball broke to Tevez but it came off his chest and Gilks made an easy block.
Blackpool, however, should have taken the lead in the 54th minute when Luke Varney scampered away down the wing and chipped the ball into the path of Campbell. He got an excellent first touch but with only goalkeeper Joe Hart to beat dragged his effort wide of the post.
There was another scare for City shortly afterwards with Taylor-Fletcher finding the net following a through ball from Charlie Adam but he was ruled to be offside.
The Blackpool supporters were furious at the decision — but this was a decent spell by Holloway’s side.
And Hart came to City’s rescue in the 63rd minute, tipping over a 20-yard thunderbolt from Adam after Campbell had laid the ball into his path.
Two minutes later Blackpool came close again, Neal Eardley forcing a good save from Hart.
They were made to pay in the 67th minute with Tevez opening the scoring. He got in front of Craig Cathcart as substitute Silva played the ball in and forced it home.
Milner twice came close to extending City’s lead. He saw his chip cleared off the line by Eardley before Gilks turned his effort over the bar.
Blackpool however hit back and equalised in the 78th minute with substitute Harewood guiding a header beyond Hart following a free-kick by Adam.
The home side’s celebrations last only a minute with Tevez regaining the lead for City. He nicked the ball of Ian Evatt and rifled in a shot that took a deflection off Cathcart.
Tevez then saw his effort came back off the bar before Silva added a third in the 90th minute. Taylor-Fletcher then got a second for Blackpool in stoppage time.