LONDON – Freezing temperatures have put paid to two games in the Premier League’s traditional Boxing Day programme – Blackpool against Liverpool and Everton against Birmingham.
Overnight temperatures of minus nine degrees brought a morning pitch inspection at Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road pitch, which does not have undersoil heating.
And despite covers and hot-air blowers being employed over the last few days an assessment of the playing surface showed there was no possibility of play.
The match has already been rescheduled for January 12, with an 8pm kick-off.
It is the third home match in succession this month Blackpool have had to postpone because of the weather, having already had to move matches against Manchester United and Tottenham.
Everton’s game against Birmingham at Goodison Park has also been postponed because the freezing temperatures have left the stadium in an unfit condition for the match.
