Reading 3-1 Blackpool: Tom Ince scores twice against his former club as Royals cruise to win over Tangerines

Tom Ince scored a brace against his former club as Reading cruised to a win against lowly Blackpool.

Andy Carroll scored a penalty in the middle as the hosts moved up to 14th place, now 13 points above the relegation zone.

Despite Sonny Carey’s consolation, it was the fifth successive loss for the Seasiders, who have now recorded just one win from 17 games and remain level on points with bottom side Wigan.

Manager Mick McCarthy made seven changes as he looked to turn around his team’s fortunes and Pool’s Curtis Nelson saw an early shot while Chris Maxwell saved a header from the remembered Yakou Meite at the other end.

The deadlock was broken after 13 minutes when Ince picked up the ball on the edge of the box, flicked it into the box and fired a shot that deflected past a defender and past Maxwell.

Ice didn’t celebrate against his old team, but that didn’t stop him from wreaking havoc and soon after he curled up on a tempting cross that missed Carroll by inches.

Carroll connected after tackling Amadou Mbengue’s cross to his chest, but flicked his shot over the crossbar as Gary Madine, back from suspension, went close with a similar effort past the post at the other end just before half-time.

In the second half, Jordan Thorniley saw a blocked shot and Luke Garbutt hit an angled free kick straight to Joe Lumley as the Seasiders searched for an equalizer.

Lumley saved Carey’s first shot, but the tide turned and Reading put the result beyond doubt from the midpoint of the second period after Meite was cleared and brought down by Nelson in the box. Carroll coolly scored his fourth goal in five career appearances against the Tangerines.

Ince scored his second two minutes later with a great shot from point-blank range after the prowling Meite cross was only half cleared, but the visitors had the last word when Carey finished off the consolation in stoppage time.

Reading manager Paul Ince told BBC Radio Berkshire:

“It wasn’t a perfect evening: we conceded a last-minute goal that was very disappointing.

“Overall it was nice, the second half wasn’t so good: in the first I thought we were very good, we passed well and we created enough chances to end the game at half time.”

“There was a lot of pressure on us today, the expectation to play Blackpool, no disrespect to them, they are fighting for their lives to stay in the league, the expectation was that we would win.”

“I don’t care who you play in this league, Sheffield United or Blackpool, the games are tough. I’m very happy.”

Blackpool manager Mick McCarthy:

“This can’t go on like this. But we don’t want this to happen and we’re doing everything we can to stop it.”

“Yes, as a team it is unacceptable. And what happens if it continues is that you descend.

“So we’re going to have to try to change that, what we’re doing.

“(Poor form) can continue. But there isn’t a single one of those players who isn’t trying to stop it.

“Whether they have enough quality or not, we’ll find out over the next 12 games. Out of adversity comes strength too. So hopefully that’s the case.”

“As long as there is still a spark of life in me, we will try to keep this team in the league.”