Northampton boss Kevin Nolan made no excuses after admitting his side were deservedly beaten 2-0 by Blackpool.
The Cobblers went into the game unbeaten in four but struggled to get going at Sixfields as Ashley Fletcher’s header gave Blackpool a 20th-minute lead before Niall Ennis made the points safe with an excellent finish in the second half.
Nolan’s men remain 19th in League One, six points above the bottom four with eight games to go.
“It was a tough afternoon,” said Nolan. “I’ve just said to the lads that we looked a bit flat and we didn’t seem ourselves today. But you have to give credit to the opposition as well and I thought Blackpool were really good.
“They matched us, they won more second balls and they did the right things at the right times and their decision-making was good and ours wasn’t.
“I just didn’t feel we competed as well as we have done in the last few weeks and I’m a bit disappointed about the manner of the goals we conceded.
“There are no excuses. It is what it is. They’re a good side and they’ve proven that – to lose two games in 17 in this league is a great effort. You’re going to have these days, but that’s when you need to roll your sleeves up and stay in the game.
“When you stay in the game and keep it at 1-0, you always have a chance, so it’s a learning curve for us, but they were the better side on the day and rightfully won the game.”
The win took Blackpool into the top 10 and cut the gap to the play-offs to seven points.
Seasiders boss Steve Bruce said: “Northampton are always going to ask you questions because they’re fighting for their lives and they’ve had some really good results of late.
“But, without playing that well, I thought we did enough to win the game. We never really looked in any real danger and I have to say I thought the back four and goalkeeper were immaculate.
“Not many teams play two up front these days, but Niall and Ashley are a handful at the moment because they’re both confident and they both look like they can score.
“We were disappointed after last week (a 2-1 loss to Leyton Orient) because we deserved to win that game, but you dust yourself down and go again and we’ve done enough today to pick up three points.
“I enjoy some of the stuff we play and we’re a handful for any team when we play well so long may it continue.”
Oliver Glasner lauded Crystal Palace’s “perfect” ending for Joel Ward after they beat Wolves 4-2 in their final home fixture of the season just days after their FA Cup triumph at Wembley.Departing skipper Ward was replaced and waved farewell to the south London club following 13 years of service, on a day when cup final match-winner Eberechi Eze continued his scoring form.He came...
Eberechi Eze repeated his FA Cup final heroics as Crystal Palace celebrated a 4-2 Premier League victory against Wolves in their first match since lifting the trophy.Substitute Eze, who scored Palace’s only goal in Saturday’s 1-0 Wembley triumph over Manchester City, struck again at Selhurst Park to seal the points on Tuesday night.The south Londoners had to come from behind, though, w...
Two goals in three second-half minutes helped Oldham to a 3-0 win at York and booked them a place in the National League promotion final.City finished second in the table with 96 points and that gave them home advantage, but Latics proved too strong at the LNER Community Stadium.They opened the scoring after 23 minutes when York goalkeeper Harrison Male’s ill-judged throw was miscontrolled b...
🔊 Who will claim the English Europa League final? Teams that have stumbled domestically now have a unique chance to salvage their season. On May 21, at “San Mamés” in Bilbao, Tottenham and Manchester United will clash in the marquee match of Europe's second-tier club competition. A victory not only secures the trophy but also guarantees a spot in next season's Champions League. Fo...
THIS is the shocking moment a brawl erupts between Manchester United and Tottenham fans as punches get thrown ahead of the Europa League final.Up to 70,000 Man Utd and Tottenham fans have flooded the streets of sunny Bilbao in good spirits and with drinks flowing.But in nearby San Sebastian, the mood took a dark turn with footage surfacing on X of a fight between the two sets of supporters.In the ...
Man United and Spurs have both had historically bad seasons but, somehow, one of them will win a European trophy and qualify for the Champions League.This season's UEFA Europa League -- which features two of the Premier League's biggest clubs, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur -- is a curious fixture.Normally it would be billed as yet another example of the English league's superior strength...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Manchester United fans before the Europa League final One of the best The end of an era at Leicester City There will be NO EUROPEAN FOOTBALL for AC Milan next season... The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place on September 22nd in Paris, France. Cristiano Jr Recreated Lionel Messi's Iconic "Sleeping with the World Cup" Photo After Winning His Firs...
MANCHESTER, England -- Pep Guardiola said he would rather leave Manchester City than have to work with a bloated squad next season.The City manager has begun to rebuild his team after the club's first trophyless campaign since 2017.But he said Tuesday he had told the club that he will walk away rather than oversee an oversized squad."I said to the club I don't want that. I don't want to leave five...
Liam Delap has been advised against joining Manchester United this summer, with Jamie Carragher suggesting a better alternative for the striker.The Red are seen as top contenders to sign him, who scored 12 goals for relegated Ipswich in the Premier League this season.The former Liverpool defender believes Delap would be an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund but says a move to Manchester United is too soon,...
Jose Mourinho has addressed speculation about taking the Portugal job but did not commit to staying with his current club, Fenerbahce.Despite numerous reports linking him to the Portuguese national team job, the former Chelsea boss has denied any contact with the Portuguese Football Federation."Yes, I can deny that I had any meeting with the Portuguese Football Federation. I am a loyal person,R...
- 1 Richie Wellens hails Leyton Orient’s ‘outstanding’ victory over Stockport
- 2 We will see – no Unai Emery assurances over future of tearful Emiliano Martinez
- 3 Mikel Arteta ready to give his life to deliver silverware for Arsenal
- 4 Leyton Orient book Wembley date by beating Stockport on penalties
- 5 Chelsea beat Manchester United in FA Cup final to seal domestic treble
- 6 Mikel Arteta apologises for failing to deliver Arsenal a Premier League title
- 7 Liverpool cleared to complete signing
- 8 Brendan Rodgers hits out at ‘needless challenge’ on Reo Hatate
- 9 Marc Guehi to land transfer to Real or Barca
- 10 Real Madrid agree deal for Dean Huijsen