Derby County recorded their fifth straight victory in the Championship as Blackpool spectacularly unravelled in the second half at the iPro Stadium earlier today.
Blackpool went in ahead at half time thanks to Isaiah Osbourne's early header but then let in five in the second half as well as having two men sent off to make it five red cards in two matches after Tuesday's eight-man debacle against Yeovil.
Derby's hero was Chris Martin as he scored his first league hat-trick, with Craig Bryson and Richard Keogh scoring the other goals.
Here, Sports Mole picks apart a true 'game of two halves'.
Match statistics:
Derby:
Shots 19
On target 6
Possession 72%
Corners 10
Fouls 12
Blackpool:
Shots 6
On target 2
Possession 28%
Corners 1
Fouls 7
Was the result fair?
Most certainly. Blackpool's goal came in the third minute and for the remaining 87 it was Derby on top. The visitors were extremely fortunate to be in front at the break but it didn't take Derby long to break through in the second half as Martin's soft fall was given as a penalty. From then on Blackpool capitulated in impressive fashion.
Derby's performance
They went behind to an excellent header but responded superbly and somehow failed to score an equaliser before the interval. Martin's dive earned Derby the opportunity to pull level and the momentum just continued to build. None of the goals were particularly special and Blackpool offered hardly any threat at the other end. The Seasiders certainly made it easy for Derby but still a strong display from the Rams.
Blackpool's performance
What must Paul Ince think he has to do to sort this team out? After he recently returned from a five-game stadium ban for ill discipline, he has watched in person as five of his players showed poor judgement in getting sent off over the last two games. Today it was simply catastrophic as Derby tore them apart. On a positive note, things can only better.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Simon Dawkins: That's right, we're not picking the guy who scored a hat-trick. Martin will win this award for most but he scored a scruffy goal and two penalties. Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dawkins was the star as his pace constantly worried the Tangerines. Unlucky not to get a goal.
Biggest gaffe
All of Blackpool's defending in the second half was atrocious but if we had to choose an individual incident, we'll pick on Bryson for digging a shot over the bar from six yards in the first half.
Referee performance
Andy Haines has had better days. He gave Derby the penalty to equalise and Blackpool will look back on that as a turning point. After that, Blackpool gave him no choice but to make two sendings off because of their lack of discipline.
What next?
Derby: The Rams can make it six wins on the bounce when they travel to Charlton Athletic in a week's time.
Blackpool: It doesn't get any easier for Paul Ince and his depleted squad as they host high-flying Queens Park Rangers.
Pascal Lemesre
