Blackpool kicked off 2012 in impressive style as Ian Holloway declared their dominant victory over Championship high-flyers Middlesbrough as their "best performance in a year."
Second half strikes from Matt Phillips and Lomana LuaLua along with a Seb Hines own-goal marked a sensational showing from the tangerines in a highly-charged game that wasn't short in entertainment value.
The Seasiders boss chose to shake things up following their 3-0 defeat away at Birmingham on New Years Eve with Chris Basham, Angel Martinez, Tom Ince and Lomana LuaLua all returning to the starting line-up.
It certainly paid dividends as Blackpool were the more dangerous side in the final third thorughout the encounter, with their lively attacking trio of Phillips, LuaLua and Ince all shining brightly.
Suspended skipper Barry Ferguson, who was watching from the stands following his sending off in that game, may face a struggle to get back into the side following this performance.
“What a game, I can’t remember too many more exciting ones than that,” Holloway said.
“That’s as good as we have played for a year and our front three were just wonderful."
Second placed Boro, who had only lost twice away from home prior to this fixture, found chances hard to come by as the hosts put in a much improved defensive display.
"I've no complaints about the result," admitted boss Tony Mowbray.
"They were very dangerous with their attacking play, and they can hurt you."
Mark Howard, who was making his third consecutive start in goal for Blackpool, was largely a spectator for the game with Jason Steele the much busier keeper.
Blackpool were the better side in the first half but couldn't find a goal that their efforts deserved.
Following a lively end-to-end opening, the first clear-cut chance fell to Ince who seized upon LuaLua's pass and drew Steele into a fine outstretched save.
Three minutes later, the former Liverpool man dribbled through a static defence, but saw his left-footed strike drift wide of goal from the edge of the area.
Boro carved their best opening on the 20-minute mark when Scott McDonald latched onto Tony McMahon's defence splitting through-ball, but the Australian couldn't get the better of Craig Cathcart after rounding the stranded Howard.
From the resulting corner, Rhy Williams' goalbound effort was cleared off the line.
At the other end, LuaLua cut in from the left and fired a deflected effort that sailed a whisker past the post.
On the stroke of half time, Phillips' vicious long-range effort was spilled by Steele but nobody in tangerine could capitalise on the loose ball as it remained goalless at the break.
As the heavens opened at the beginning of the second period, Boro were nearly in dreamland when Barry Robson had sight of goal, but his angled drive cannoned to safety off the base of the post.
Following this let-off, the game soon swung in Blackpool's favour as Phillips opened the scoring with a fantastic piece of individual skill.
The forward cut in from the wing and unleashed an unstoppable 20-yard drive beyond the beleagured Steele for his fourth goal in three games.
The England U20 international threatened to double the lead moments later with a dangerous curling effort that sailed narrowly past the upright.
A second goal did arrive in the 56th minute though, when LuaLua arrived on cue to tap home after Steele found Ince's scorching effort too hot to handle.
With Middlesborough on the brink of collapse, Mowbray introduced top scorer Marvin Emnes in place of Tony McMahon.
The visitors thought they had instantly responded when Belgian Faris Haroun poked home from close-range, but the offside flag was raised.
Ludovic Sylvestre drew Steele into yet another fine save as they looked to heap more misery on their visitors.
And they eventually did when Hines, who had been on the pitch a matter of minutes, inadvertently converted Phillips' cut-back into his own net.
Callum McManaman and Kevin Phillips came on for the final 20 minutes in place of Sylvestre and LuaLua, who received a rousing reception.
Boro fans left the stadium in discontent as Blackpool saw the game out with ease to move within a point of the play-off zone.
If the Seasiders continue this form for the rest of the season, a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking could be more than achievable.
"It would be immense, but we all know how difficult it is to get that consistency," said Holloway.
"There's no reason why we can't do it though."
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