McPhillips: Armand’s bound for greatness!
MANAGER Terry McPhillips forecast a possible Premier League future for Armand Gnanduillet after the 27-year-old striker scored twice as Blackpool beat bottom club Bradford City.
Matty Virtue and substitute Chris Taylor were also on target, with David Ball replying for Bradford, for whom Eoin Doyle earlier missed a penalty.
A third defeat in a row was a serious blow to Bradford’s survival hopes and they remain six points adrift of safety, but a boost to eighth-placed Blackpool’s play-off ambitions.
McPhillips said: “Armand was outstanding. If he plays like that he is bound for the Premier League. His heading, his hold-up play, the way he sets things up – he is improving all the time.
“It was an outstanding performance, especially after last week’s 3-0 defeat at Burton. We have set a marker down as to what we can do. Now we have got to take this performance into next week – it is as simple as that.”
Blackpool went in front after 24 minutes when Antony Evans crossed from the left and Gnanduillet scored with a closerange header. The lead was doubled four minutes after the break with a superb individual goal by Virtue, who ran 20 yards before unleashing a 25-yard shot into the corner.
Bradford were awarded a penalty after 53 minutes when Lewis O’Brien had a shot blocked and Ben Heneghan brought down Ball, only for Christoffer Mafoumbi to deny Doyle from the spot.
Blackpool added two more goals. Gnanduillet nodded in his second from Michael Nottingham’s cross and Taylor scored the fourth in the 80th minute after a great run by Nathan Delfouneso.
The home side netted a consolation goal in stoppage time – a header from Ball from Paul Caddis’ cross.
Former Tangerines boss and now Bradford manager Bowyer raged: “I am fuming – at the result, parts of the performance, the manner of the goals conceded. I totally understand the fans’ frustration.
“The big moment was the penalty. That miss changed the game and sucked the life out of us.
“We have got a tough challenge and it has become harder after today, but we will not give up.”