‘Feet are brilliant’: Stephen Warnock hails Leeds loanee for FA Cup upset

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Stephen Warnock has praised Leeds United loanee Ian Poveda for his efforts as Blackpool upset Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. He scored the Seasiders’ second goal in a 4-1 win.

Blackpool took an early lead at Bloomfield Road on Saturday afternoon as Marvin Ekpiteta (17’) broke the deadlock. Poveda would double the Championship team’s advantage in the 64th minute. CJ Hamilton (71’) then added a third before Jerry Yates (87’) finished the job.

Poveda had not previously scored for Blackpool through 13 appearances since joining the club on loan from Leeds in August. The 22-year-old had, however, laid on one assist after crossing to Gary Madine to head an equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Cardiff City on December 17.

All of Poveda’s previous appearances in tangerine had come in the Championship with just six starts. He had also only played a total of 540 minutes for an average of 41.5 per outing. But head coach Michael Appleton afforded the former England U20 ace the full FA Cup tie.

Leeds also let Poveda join Blackpool on loan at the end of the summer sales after he spent last term with Blackburn Rovers. But he only managed 10 appearances and 373 minutes at Ewood Park. He missed five months after a fracture and ligament damage to his left ankle.

Leeds loanee Poveda impresses Warnock as Blackpool stun Nottingham Forest

Poveda had shown promise with Blackburn before his serious injury after scoring one goal and creating two. The former Manchester City prospect showed that potential again this Saturday to help Blackpool stun Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest in the cup.

The Leeds loanee slotted home Yates’ pass to put pressure on Nottingham Forest, which Blackpool only heightened after Poveda’s goal. Ryan Yates could only give Steve Cooper’s squad a late consolation response in the second minute of stoppage time in a 4-1 defeat.

Poveda impressed former Leeds left-back Warnock with his ability on the ball to score the second Blackpool goal against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. The ex-Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona and Brentford prospect has never scored in his 20 senior games for the Whites.

“Another mistake again,” Warnock said on the BBC’s Final Score. “It is a poor ball from Neco Williams who leaves Steve Cook so short. The feet are brilliant from Ian Poveda to draw the tackle in and it’s a great finish.”