Pool’s Sandboy Shelvey Happier than Larry

Leeds United 0-5 (five) Blackpool


Npower Championship
Elland Road
Att: 22423

Blackpool loanee midfielder Jonjo Shelvey (left) bagged a hat-trick as Ian Holloway’s men ran riot in West Yorkshire to inflict one of Leeds United’s heaviest ever league defeats.

The Bloomfield Road outfit leapfrogged the hosts – who have now lost only twice in 10 league games.

Former Tangerine’s boss Simon Grayson was helpless as he watched a first half horror show from his keeper Paul Rachubka – who was consequently substituted at half time.

Rachubka, who is deputising in the absence of first choice Andy Lonergan, was unable to hold on to Shelvey’s 14th minute drive and spilled in to the path of debutant forward Lomana Lua Lua who tapped home from eight yards.

Scottish veteran Barry Ferguson caught the eye with his passing, however it was England under-21 Shelvey whose performance that will make people sit up and take note. His first came courtesy of a retaken spot kick which was awarded after Rachubka was caught fumbling Alex Baptiste’s cross and Lua Lua’s stab at goal was adjudged to have been handled on the line by Tom Lees – who was red carded.

If the opening 25 minutes had been bad for Rachubka, who used to play for the Seasiders under Grayson, then it got worse five minutes later as Lua Lua’s shot was spilled in to the path of the Liverpool youngster Shelvey to tap home amid boos and cries of ‘damage limitation’ from the home faithful.

Lees’ sending off was unquestionably the turning point in the game however there was no doubting the quality of eighth placed Blackpool who are two points off the play-offs as they turned the screw on the ten men.

Lua Lua added his second of the game just after the hour, cutting inside Paul Connelly to slam home past youngster Alex Cairns after the visitors had withstood a minor Leeds fightback.

Teenager – and man of the match - Shelvey rounded the night off in impressive fashion 12 minutes from time slipping past Cairns to seal a memorable night for Ian Holloway’s men.

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