 The 2009–10 season ended on a high note though as Blackpool far exceeded their 52 points target to instead qualify for the play-offs with 70 points; they went on to beat Cardiff City 3–2 in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium, though Eardley was not in the matchday squad.Eardley scored his first goal for the Tangerines with a free kick in a 2–2 draw with Everton in the Premier League at Bloomfield Road on 6 November 2010 – the day of his 21st birthday.He was subsequently named in the Premier League Team of the Week, alongside teammate and fellow goalscorer David Vaughan.