Cardiff City’s promotion hopes suffered another significant blow on Saturday afternoon as they were dismantled 3-1 by Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. Despite an encouraging first-half performance that saw them press for an opening goal, the Bluebirds fell apart in the second half, conceding three unanswered strikes in a display that will leave manager Brian Barry-Murphy with serious concerns about his side’s inconsistency.
A First Half of Promise and Frustration
The opening 45 minutes painted a picture of a Cardiff side capable of competing at the top of League One. After a bright start from the hosts, who nearly caught the visitors off guard through CJ Hamilton in the opening minutes, the Bluebirds gradually took control of proceedings. Rubin Colwill was particularly influential in the early stages, orchestrating much of Cardiff’s attacking play and forcing Bailey Peacock-Farrell into a series of saves.
The Cardiff midfielder spearheaded the majority of chances, combining effectively with teammates to craft several opportunities that repeatedly tested the Blackpool goalkeeper. One moment exemplified the Bluebirds’ dominance: Rubin Colwill set up his brother Joel with a low cross from the left, but Peacock-Farrell remained resolute, denying the powerful effort. Just moments later, the forward himself took aim, only for the Blackpool keeper to dive down to his left, pushing the ball convincingly around the post.
Despite Cardiff’s clear superiority in possession and chances created, the score line remained goalless at the interval. This represented a key points of interest for the Bluebirds - they’d weathered an early Blackpool storm but also missed an opportunity to gain the advantage.
The Turning Point: Fletcher’s Breakthrough
Two minutes into the second half, the match transformed entirely. Cardiff were caught in transition and Blackpool struck on the counter-attack in clinical fashion. Ashley Fletcher ran into the Cardiff penalty area with the ball at his feet, shifted onto his left foot, and fired a powerful shot into the top corner at the near post. It was a devastating blow to Cardiff’s momentum, converting the hosts’ first genuine chance of note into a crucial opening goal.
Cardiff responded with immediate intent, pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Alex Robertson’s curling shot from the edge of the area forced another excellent save from Peacock-Farrell, while skipper Calum Chambers again found himself with a gilt-edged opportunity. Finding himself free at the back post, Chambers headed toward goal, but his effort frustratingly flew past the post.
Ashley Fletcher, more points than any other forward in Gameweek 15 (19) 👏🍊
— Fantasy EFL (@FEFLOfficial) November 8, 2025
- 2 Goals⚽️⚽️
- 1 Assist 🅰️#FantasyEFL | @BlackpoolFC pic.twitter.com/i27hammAyG
The Collapse: Blackpool’s Clinical Finishing
As Cardiff pressed forward in search of the equaliser, they left themselves vulnerable to Blackpool’s counter-attacks. Callum Robinson was introduced in the 67th minute but the Tangerines, having found their rhythm, capitalised ruthlessly on the visitors’ defensive vulnerabilities. Around the 69-minute mark, Fletcher struck for the second time. This time, it was substitute Emil Hansson who set up the Blackpool forward, calmly squaring the ball as Fletcher lifted it over the onrushing Nathan Trott for a devastating second goal.
Frustration mounted for Cardiff as substitutions were made in a desperate bid to salvage the game. Isaak Davies and David Turnbull were brought on to inject some fresh energy, but it was to no avail. Blackpool had seized control entirely, and their dominance was rewarded once more. With Cardiff pushing high up the pitch in pursuit of a way back into the contest, Tom Bloxham broke free and rounded Trott before calmly rolling the ball into the net to seal the points.
The loss of shape was evident, and Bloxham’s performance was particularly troubling for the visitors, constantly troubling Cardiff’s defence and forcing further saves from Trott. A late consolation came when Yousef Salech found the back of the net from close range deep in injury time after Peacock-Farrell mishandled a shot from Cian Ashford, but by then the game had been put to bed.
🍟
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) November 8, 2025
🍊 #UTMP | @sbk pic.twitter.com/sT2S5dJvyg
Implications and Looking Ahead
This defeat continues a deeply concerning run of form for Cardiff City. The Bluebirds have now lost five out of their last eight league encounters, a record that is hugely troubling for the Bluebirds promotion ambitions. With the international break providing a chance for reflection, Barry-Murphy and his young squad must address some clear fundamental issues - transitional weaknesses, a lack of directness from the wingers and also a lack of alternative game plan when in difficult situations.
The match served as a harsh reality check, exposing the gap between promising periods of play and the execution required to compete for promotion in League One. Blackpool’s back-to-back wins, secured through clinical finishing and swift counter-attacking, contrast sharply with Cardiff’s wasteful finishing and defensive fragility. The Bluebirds showed enough in the opening period to suggest they remain capable of competing at this level, but unless they can marry that attacking ambition with greater defensive security, their promotion hopes will continue to slip away.
