ON THIS DAY: Blackpool defeated by Chelsea
Blues skipper John Terry gave his side a first-half lead after jumping unchallenged inside the box to head home a Frank Lampard corner.
Lampard then converted from the spot following Ian Evatt's foul on Salomon Kalou and scored his second of the match from 16 yards when put through by the striker.
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Hide AdJason Puncheon hit low beyond Petr Cech late on but it was merely consolation as Pool lost for the second successive game.
Substitute Brett Ormerod and Evatt nearly scored in the closing stages in what could have been an astonishing ending.
Ian Holloway conceded in advance that Blackpool were not the same team without Charlie Adam and DJ Campbell, both suspended, but promised to do his best with the options available and send out a team to attack.
At the time, Blackpool were getting sucked into a relegation battle after winning only one of their last nine matches.