Blackpool settle for 2-2 draw with Fulham

Blackpool: Blackpool had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Fulham in its first home game in the English topflight since 1971 after Dickson Etuhu struck a superb late equalizer on Saturday for the London side.

Bobby Zamora had put Fulham ahead in the 35th minute, only for an own goal by John Pantsil to bring the teams level in the 71st.

Luke Varney, making his debut a day after signing a season-long loan deal from Derby, then looked to have capped a rousing fightback in Blackpool's first Premier League game at a revamped Bloomfield Road with a 76th minute strike.

But the hopes of victory celebrations were dashed when Etuhu sent a delicate lob over keeper Matthew Gilks after being released by Belgian striker Moussa Dembele with three minutes left on the clock.

Marked down as prime candidates for relegation at the end of the season, Blackpool could at least take some consolation from having a respectable four points from three games, one point more than Fulham.

The match was watched by England manager Fabio Capello, who could give Zamora a call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland when he names his squad on Sunday.

Blackpool applied the early pressure and Varney nearly scored in the third minute, testing goalkeeper David Stockdale — another possible England candidate — from the edge of the area.

Blackpool had the ball in the net after 18 minutes but Brett Ormerod's header following a cross from Charlie Adam was ruled out for offside. Varney was looking particularly lively and skipped past Pantsil two minutes later, only to find the wrong side of the post with his effort.

Fulham responded by carving out a good chance in the 26th minute when Zamora worked his way into the area and tried to release Simon Davies. But Alex Baptiste stood firm and made a crucial challenge just as his opponent was about to shoot.

The London side made the breakthrough in the 35th minute, though, with a simple move that split the Blackpool defense. Damien Duff slipped the ball through to Dembele, who delivered it into the center and Zamora sent a powerful header beyond Gilks.

Fulham was keen to build on its lead and Zamora got goal-side of Stephen Crainey in the 49th minute, but failed to put enough power on his shot and Gilks made the save.

Back came Blackpool, which had another strike disallowed when Stockdale spilled the ball following a challenge by Varney in the 61st minute and Elliot Grandin found the net.

However, referee Mike Oliver ruled that Stockdale had been fouled and disallowed Grandin's effort, leaving manager Ian Holloway incensed on the touchline.

Blackpool finally drew level when Varney's shot came off Aaron Hughes and back to Pantsil, who lost his bearings and diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper.

Zamora was then replaced after taking a knock and Fulham appeared to lost their way. Blackpool took the lead when Varney supplied a glorious finish across Stockdale after a defense-splitting pass by Ormerod.

But the goal only sparked Fulham players into life and they drew level in the 87th minute when Etuhu sent a lob over Gilks.