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Wednesday 1st March 2006

MONTHLY AWARDS FOR FEBRUARY

The Barclays Premiership Player of the Month was Liverpool's explosive striker Djibril Cisse has his excellent return of six goals helped his side to get within sight their title rivals Manchester United. His goals included an important winning double at Old Trafford. His side are now 8 points behind with two games in hand.

The Barclays Premiership Young Player of the Month was West Ham United's tenacious midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker as his excellent displays in central midfield has seen his side climb out of the bottom three in the Premiership table with four straight wins. His goal at Portsmouth made sure of their first win in this incredible run.

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month was West Ham's Alan Pardew as he has suddenly inspired his team to win all their matches this month. This wonderful reviving run has seen them climb out of the bottom three in the Premiership table.

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Saturday 4th March 2006

BAROS WINNER SINKS ROVERS
ASTON VILLA 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0

A brave unbeaten run ends. Aston Villa narrowly defeated Blackburn Rovers at Villa Park this afternoon. A first half goal from Milan Baros was just enough for Villa in a match which could have gone either way. It was a very tight game as both sides created opportunities but it was the home side that came out on top thanks to Baros' goal. Blackburn manager Faiz Khan made just one change from the side that beat West Brom last weekend with Brad Friedel returning to replace injured Richard Lee. Aston Villa boss David O'Leary also made just the one change from the midweek defeat at Liverpool with injured Patrik Berger replaced by Gareth Barry.

On a fine spring afternoon at Villa Park, referee Andy D'Urso got the match underway to the roars of the loud and vocal crowd. After just three minutes, Michael Gray's long freekick was met by a towering leap from Shefki Kuqi but he could not direct his header on target. Moments later, Rovers continued their bright start to the match by almost taking the lead. David Bentley sent Craig Bellamy down the left wing and his near post was headed into the sidenetting by Kuqi. On 13 minutes, Blackburn had a double opportunity to take the lead. Robbie Savage's freekick was parried by Thomas Sorensen out to Brett Emerton but the Villa keeper was there again to stop the Australian at his feet superbly. The home side took a while to get going as they had their first attempt on goal in the 28th minute. Kristoffer Haestad went past Savage and Steven Reid in the midfield before teeing up James Milner from 25 yards out but his effort went high and wide. From the resulting the goal kick, Villa should have taken the lead. The goal kick was headed back by Olof Mellberg to Juan Pablo Angel who put Baros clear on goal but his attempted chip got a little touch from Friedel and the ball went just inches over the crossbar. And a minute later, Baros flicked on a high Mellberg ball into the path of Angel to tap home but his effort was just kept out by the scrambling Friedel. Villa were really starting to turn the heat on Rovers and they did what Blackburn didnt do earlier in the game - cap off their spell with a goal! A Wilfred Bouma clearence found Angel who waited until threading the ball through for Baros who beat the offside trap, took the ball wide of Friedel before sliding the ball underneath the keeper - that was also Baros' 10th goal of the season. Just before halftime, Blackburn should have equalised. A high ball from Ryan Nelsen was headed into the area by Bentley where an unmarked Reid headed well wide of the goal. The referee blew for halftime shortly after and Villa were infront. Blackburn started the game very brightly but couldnt force a goal. Villa then started dominating the half and they did force goal ten minutes before halftime with Milan Baros on target. However, this match is far from over at Villa Park as the score at halftime was ASTON VILLA 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0.

The second half was well underway as Blackburn were looking to get back into the match at the same time that Villa were looking to build on their lead. Blackburn fashioned out the first opening of the second period almost immediately. Kuqi strode towards the penalty area before teeing up Reid from 25 yards and his firm, powerful effort flashed just inches of the goal. On 54 minutes, Villa hit back with an opportunity of their own. Haestad swung in a corner towards the near post where Barry's glancing header was superbly tipped away by Friedel and the ball was cleared to safety. Just after the hour mark, Friedel kept his side in the game with a fantastic double save. Firstly, Baros went down the left flank before he found Rasmus Wurtz on the edge of the area and he squared the ball for Milner to bend the ball towards the far corner until Friedel superbly tipped it over the crossbar. Then, Baros again stormed towards the area before teeing up Angel who unleashed a vicious, swerving effort that Friedel again did very well to tip over the corssbar. In stoppage time, Blackburn should have snatched a point. Bellamy sent substitute Vratislav Gresko down the left and his cross was headed well over the crossbar by fellow substitute Matt Jansen with just Sorensen to beat. Moments later, referee Andy D'Urso called for time at the end of the match. Blackburn started very brightly but Villa were the team that took a first half lead into halftime. In the second half, Villa were more dominant than their opponents with Friedel keeping Rovers in the game on more than one occasion. Substitute Jansen sent a last-gasp chance well over the bar and the final score at Villa Park was ASTON VILLA 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0.

Aston Villa : Sorensen 7, Delaney 7, Schmidt 7, Mellberg 7, Bouma 7, Milner 7 (Brown 72, 7), Barry 7, Wurtz 7 (Arrieta 72, 7) Haestad 7, Angel 7, Baros 7 (Andersen 79, 7).

Goals : Baros (36)

Blackburn : Friedel 7, Neill 6, Gray 5, Nelsen 6, Svensson 7, Emerton 5, Bentley 6 (Gresko 73, 6), Savage 7, Reid 6 (Thompson 63, 7), Kuqi 6 (Jansen 63, 7), Bellamy 6.

Booked : Neill & Gray

Man of the Match : Milan Baros - scored the winning goal at a critical time in the match and his movement and pace was a worry for Nelsen in particular at the back.

Attendance : 38432
Referee : Andy D'Urso

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Saturday 11th March 2006

SUPERSUB JANSEN DOUBLE SINKS CITY
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 MANCHESTER CITY 0

Well, there's nothing like winning an even match. Faiz Khan saw his Blackburn Rovers side defeat Manchester City at Ewood Park this afternoon. Goals either side of halftime from substitute Matt Jansen were more than enough for Blackburn in a very even match that Man City contributed to very well. Both sides had similar amounts of shots on goal but in the end, it was the composure of Rovers that made all the difference. Khan made just one alteration from the defeat at Aston Villa last weekend as injured Steven Reid was replaced by David Thompson. City boss Claudio Ranieri named an unchanged team from the victory over Middlesbrough last weekend.

On a fine afternoon for weather at Ewood Park, referee Graham Poll got the match up and running. Blackburn made the brighter start and could have had the lead inside five minutes. A high Lucas Neill ball was flicked on by Shefki Kuqi to send Craig Bellamy through on goal but the Welshman's effort was turned aside for a corner by David James in the City goal. After 14 minutes, Darius Vassell tested Brad Friedel in the Blackburn goal from 30 yards out but the American easily smothered the shot. Moments later, Andy Cole twisted and turned inside Karl Svensson and unleashed a powerful effort from 25 yards out that flew just inches over the corssbar. Halfway through the first half, Blackburn were doubly unlucky not to take the lead. Firstly, Bellamy flicked a high ball into the path of Brett Emerton who drifted inside and unleashed a piledriver from the edge of the area that came crashing off the crossbar. Then, Robbie Savage won the ball back and found David Bentley who struck the ball first time only for James to pull an outstanding save to tip it around the post. Blackburn had a worrying moment when Bellamy was forced to go off due to injury and was replaced by Jansen - the injury is unknown and will be found out after the match. Anyway, Jansen was on and he almost made an immediate impact. Neill played a high freekick into the area where Kuqi flicked on for Jansen but his volley was weak and James had an easy catch to make. Rovers were really starting to put the pressure on City's goal and they had James to thank once again when the England international somehow stopped a goalbound freekick from Savage. But he couldnt do anything about the next move as Blackburn struck minutes before halftime. Svensson's high cross into the area was flicked on by Kuqi and this time Jansen made no mistake with a sweetly struck volley low into the bottom corner past James. Moments after the goal, a pulsating half was brought to an end by the referee. Blackburn had dominated most of this first half and David James seemed ready to stop Rovers from scoring but up stepped substitute Jansen to give the halftime scoreline of BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 MANCHESTER CITY 0.

The home fans were rallying their team on to build on their halftime lead as the second half underway. As City almost got back on level terms, Blackburn extended their lead. Joey Barton swung a corner into the area where Sylvain Distin's firm header was stopped by Friedel. Then, from Svensson scrambled clearence, Kuqi's flick on put Jansen through on goal with nobody around him and the Englishman kept great composure by sliding the ball underneath the body of James. Minutes later, Savage's freekick was headed just inches past the post by the excellent Kuqi. Just before the hour, City should have pulled a goal back. Svensson was caught in possession on the halfway line by Cole and he went speeding towards goal with only Friedel to beat. He took the ball wide of the keeper but Friedel stood tall and made a wonderful fingertip save to divert the ball wide. On the hour, Edgar Barreto came forward and teed up Vassell from 25 yards out but his shot went sailing over the crossbar. On 74 minutes, City started to put more pressure on the Blackburn goal. Barton and Barreto combined superbly to send Vassell through but his firm shot from a tight angle was stopped brilliantly by the outstretched hand of Friedel. With ten minutes remaining, City should have scored. Sun Jihan played a corner towards to the near post to an unmarked Distin where he could only direct the ball well over the crossbar. With five minutes to go, Friedel was there once again to deny Robbie Fowler's direct freekick. Blackburn, under real pressure in the second half, finished really strong and should have scored a third goal. Thompson's cross deflected for substitute Paul Dickov to tap home but he shot straight at James and the ball was cleared to safety. The referee called for fulltime to end a pulsating match. Blackburn dominated the first half from start to finish and thoroughly deserved their lead. And at the start of the second half, they extended their lead. It was a good thing too as City dominated the rest of the half but could not find a way past Friedel. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 MANCHESTER CITY 0.

Blackburn : Friedel 8, Neill 8, Gray 7, Nelsen 7, Svensson 8, Emerton 7 (Gresko 72, 6), Bentley 7, Savage 7, Thompson 7, Kuqi 8 (Dickov 62, 7), Bellamy 7 (Jansen 30, 8).

Goals : Jansen (44, 47)

Booked : Emerton

Injured : Bellamy (30)

Man City : James 7, Sun Jihai 7, Thatcher 7 (Lagnese 82, 6), Dunne 6, Distin 7, Barreto 7, Musampa 6 (Sibierski 75, 6), Boutahar 7, Barton 7, Cole 7, Vassell 6 (Fowler 75, 7).

Booked : Barreto & Sibierski

Man of the Match : Shefki Kuqi - the Finn was back to his best after a couple of average displays this past few weeks. His build-up play wasnt pretty but effective. Prime examples were his flick-ons for his side's two goals.

Attendance : 31338
Referee : Graham Poll

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Saturday 11th March 2006

ROVERS ROCKED BY BELLAMY LAY-OFF

Well, it didnt look good when he came off and so it proved. Blackburn Rovers have just received the news that striker Craig Bellamy suffered a thigh strain after striking the ball awkwardly in the victory against Manchester City this afternoon. The Welsh international was ruled out for up to 4 weeks.

This will not be of good news to Faiz Khan as Bellamy had just started to repay the money that Blackburn had spent on him. Bellamy himself has just admitted to being disappointed but also stated that he was looking forward to returning so he can get back to do what he does best - scoring goals, goals, goals of course!

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Monday 13th March 2006

NEILL CAPS OFF WEEK WITH PLACE IN TEAM

Following their impressive victory over Manchester City at the weekend, Lucas Neill's performance was specially recognised by the Premiership board when selecting their Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton)

Lucas Neill (Blackburn)
John Terry (Chelsea)
William Gallas (Chelsea)
Baris Deniz (Wigan)

Andy van der Meyde (Everton)
Michael Essien (Chelsea)
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Damien Duff (Chelsea)

Agustin Delgado (Wigan)
Hernan Crespo (Chelsea)

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Friday 17th March 2006

FRIEDEL INJURED YET AGAIN

Blackburn Rovers have announced this evening that the injury curse has struck Brad Friedel once again. Friedel sustained a back strain after overexerting himself whilst lifting weights during training.

The injury will rule Friedel out of action for up to 1 month. This will be very disappointing news for the American as he is coming to end of his career and first-team football is very hard to come by these days. Khan has stated he is disappointed as well and cant wait for him to return to add that much needed experience to the team.

This injury follows on from Richard Lee's 3 week injury lay-off and leaves Khan with only one first team goalkeeper - Peter Enckleman.

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Sunday 19th March 2006

BOLTON EDGE OUT UNLUCKY ROVERS
BOLTON WANDERERS 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0

How hard a result is that to take? Bolton Wanderers walked away with all three points against Blackburn Rovers in the local Lancashire derby at the Reebok this afternoon. A goal late in the first half from Jay Jay Okocha was the difference between the two Lancashire sides. The result is probably a little harsh on the visitors as they created the more clear cut opportunities but they found Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in inspiring form to be shut out. Rovers manager Faiz Khan made two changes from the victory over Man City with Peter Enckleman and Matt Jansen replacing the injured pair Brad Friedel and Craig Bellamy. Bolton gaffer Sam Allardyce made three alterations from the side that were beaten here by Chelsea last weekend by bringing in Ivan Campo, Fabrice Fernandes and Khalilou Fadiga for Al Bangura, Kevin Nolan and Stelios Giannakopoulos.

On a bright but very cold Sunday afternoon, referee Mike Riley got the match underway. Blackburn started the brighter and should have had the lead inside two minutes. A long throw-in from Michael Gray sent Shefki Kuqi tearing through on goal and his powerful shot was beaten away by Jaaskelainen. Two minutes later, Rovers missed a double opportunity to take the lead. Lucas Neill's high ball sent Kuqi through on goal and as his shot was saved by Jaaskelainen, the ball was crossed by Brett Emerton to the far post for David Bentley to tap into the empty net but he hit the post on the run and the ball was cleared to safety. A really fast at the Reebok Stadium saw Bolton fashion out a great first chance in the 6th minute. Ricardo Gardner's freekick into the area found Fernandes who took one touch before firing the ball past the far post. A minute later, a Robbie Savage direct freekick was routinely caught by Jaaskelainen. After 10 minutes, Neill sent Emerton down the right flank and the Australian sent a low cross to the near post to David Thomspon who could only hook the ball just inches over the crossbar. On 16 minutes, Blackburn stepped up the pressure on the Bolton goal when Neill's high ball into the area was glanced just over the crossbar by Kuqi. Midway through the first half, Fernandes went storming towards the penalty area and then squared the ball to Fadiga but his firm effort went well over the crossbar. Five minutes later, Fernandes went with close two long range efforts, with Enckleman smothering the first and the sidenetting feeling the brunt of the second shot. On 35 minutes, Gray sent Bentley clear on the left and his teasing low cross across the goal was superbly touched away by Jaaskelainen to make sure nobody in yellow got any vital contact on the ball. Bolton made the important breakthrough three minutes later. A long throw into the penalty area from Fadiga was poorly cleared by Savage into the path of Okocha who needed no second invitation and blasted the ball high past Enckleman and into the roof of the net. From the restart, Neill's cross from very deep towards the far post saw both Kuqi and Jaaskelainen going for it and the ball ricocheted off the keeper, rolled along the line until Radhi Jaidi cleared the ball for a corner. Five minutes before halftime, Rovers really should have equalised. Savage slit the ball through for Kuqi and he waited before squaring for Bentley to tap in but his effort was too weak and Jaaskelainen saved easily. Two minutes of stoppage time later, the referee ended an action packed first half with his whistle. Blackburn started the brightest and should have scored a goal in that spell but Bolton hit back with a good spell of which they did score a goal late in the half and that leaves us with halftime scoreline of BOLTON WANDERERS 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0.

The second half got up and running to a great atmosphere created by both sets of supporters. Blackburn had the opportunity to equalise three minutes into the second half. Neill played a freekick into the area and Kuqi's glancing header was brilliantly stopped by Jaaskelainen. Just before the hour mark, Bolton came alive and went close to adding a second. Fernandes went down the left wing and sent over a ball to the near post where Jared Borgetti could only head just inches over the crossbar. With just a quarter of an hour remaining, Blackburn fashioned out a decent opportunity to equalise. Savage won the ball back from Campo and found Thompson who played in Kuqi on goal but he shot waywardly well over the crossbar. Three minutes remained and then came the moment you realised that it was just not to be Blackburn's day. Emerton headed a long clearence for substitute Paul Dickov who hit a first time effort which normally would be a certain goal but not today as Jaaskelainen stretched out his fingertips to divert the shot onto the post and away from the goal. After four long minutes of stoppage time, referee Mike Riley blew for fulltime. Blackburn dominated much of the first half but fell behind late in the half. In the second half, Rovers carried out banging at the Bolton door but Jaaskelainen just would not open it for Blackburn as he was inspiring in goal. Thanks to his heroics, the scoreline from the Reebok was BOLTON WANDERERS 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0.

Bolton : Jaaskelainen 8, Andersson 7, Gardner 7, Ben-Haim 7, Jaidi 7, Campo 7 (O'Brien 78, 6), Speed 7, Okocha 7 (Pedersen 60, 7), Fernandes 7, Borgetti 7, Fadiga 7 (Kenneth 71, 6).

Goals : Okocha (38)

Blackburn : Enckleman 6, Neill 6, Gray 6, Nelsen 6 (Flitcroft 72, 6), Svensson 7, Emerton 6, Bentley 6 (Gresko 62, 6), Savage 6, Thompson 7, Kuqi 6, Jansen 6 (Dickov 62, 7).

Man of the Match : Jussi Jaaskelainen - there was only going to be one choice here as the Finland international was absolutely brilliant with a string of saves which kept Blackburn time and time again.

Attendance : 28704
Referee : Mike Riley

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Saturday 25th March 2006

SUPER SAVAGE COMES TO ROVERS' RESCUE
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 SUNDERLAND 1

Boy was that close or what? Blackburn Rovers scraped past 10-man Sunderland at Ewood Park this afternoon. A late winner from captain Robbie Savage was just enough to defeat the Black Cats. A Savage penalty had earlier given Rovers the lead from which Christophe Berra was sent off for a professional foul. Kevin Kyle looked to have salvaged a point for Sunderland until Savage's winner. It was a result that Blackburn deserved as they took advantage of the early red card and dominated the match for long spells. Manager Faiz Khan made just one change from last weekend's defeat at Bolton with Aaron Mokoena coming in for Ryan Nelsen who was on international duty with New Zealand. Sunderland boss also made just the one change from the draw at home to Middlesbrough with Tom Soetaers replacing Nathan Doyle.

On a fine spring afternoon from Ewood Park, referee Jamie Ward got the proceedings underway. Blackburn made a bright start to the match and took the lead after 10 minutes. Lucas Neill a great ball over the top for Shefki Kuqi to chase onto into the area but he was brought crashing down by Berra and despite Sunderland protests, the young Scot was off for an early bath. Anyway, Savage stepped up to convert the spot-kick to Kelvin Davis' right. On 19 minutes, Blackburn almost extended their lead. Passing the ball around with such ease ended with Neill crossing to the far post where Kuqi's firm, towering header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Davis. The game was close to the half hour mark and Rovers really should have scored a second goal. Savage found Brett Emerton in the area and his low cross to the near post was smashed into the sidenetting by Kuqi from two yards out. On 36 minutes, some slick one touch passing involving David Bentley, David Thompson and Matt Jansen teed up Savage for a first time effort from 30 yards which sailed well wide of the goal. Five minutes before halftime, Sunderland made their first opportunity of the match and they should have taken it. Allan Jepsen passed the ball to Julio Arca and his cross to the far post found an unmarked Kyle but his header was too close to Peter Enckleman and it was an easy catch. On the stroke of halftime, Blackburn almost scored a second goal. Neill's high ball down the channel found Jansen who strolled past Mikele Leigertwood before unleashing a powerful strike towards the top corner only for Davis to produce a stunning fingertip save. With that, the referee blew for halftime to bring the first half to its close. Blackburn have been in control ever since the 8th minute dismissal of Berra and thoroughly deserve their advantage of BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 SUNDERLAND 0.

The second half got underway at Ewood Park as the home fans were urging their team to build on the lead. For the first half of the second period, both sides were cancelling each other out and restricting each other to long pot shots that never looked like adding to the one goal so far in the match. Halfway through the second half, Blackburn missed the opportunity to take a two-goal lead. Thompson's through ball to Jansen ricocheted into the path of substitute Paul Dickov but he could shoot straight at the onrushing David where a chip would have been much easier to make and the ball was cleared to safety. And that missed opportunity proved to be costly as Sunderland amazingly equalised against all the odds. Leigertwood intercepted a stray Karl Svensson pass and sent Kyle through on goal who wide of Enckleman before tucking the ball underneath the body of Enckleman into the near corner. With ten minutes remaining, the away side had the chance to snatch all three points. Kyle sent Tommy Miller bursting into the area and he sqaured the ball for substitute Anthony Le Tallec but his tap-in was brilliantly stopped by Enckleman. And that miss was punished to the full as Blackburn scored a very late goal. Dickov returned Jansen's throw and Jansen's cross deflected into the path of the onrushing Savage who fired first time into the top corner giving David absolutely no chance whatsoever - his 5th goal of the season and what a time to score it! Before the end, Savage almost grabbed a hat-trick when his direct freekick was easily held by Davis and the final whistle went immediately after. Blackburn won a game that they almost lost. They were in control of the first half once their opponents were down to ten men but Sunderland came roaring back after the break and almost snatched a point but it was not to be. The final scoreline from Ewood Park this afternoon was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 SUNDERLAND 1.

Blackburn : Enckleman 7, Neill 7, Gray 7, Svensson 7, Mokoena 6 (Todd 45, 6), Emerton 7, Bentley 6 (Reid 73, 7), Savage 8, Thompson 7, Kuqi 7 (Dickov 61, 7), Jansen 7.

Goals : Savage (10, 83)

Sunderland : Davis 7, Evans 7, Jepsen 7, Breen 7, Berra 4, Soetaers 7 (Le Tallec 72, 7), Arca 7 (McCartney 53, 7), Leigertwood 7, Miller 7, Elliot 6 (Doyle 45, 6), Kyle 8.

Goals : Kyle (72)

Sent Off : Berra (9)

Man of the Match : Kevin Kyle - was a constant threat to the Blackburn backline all afternoon and thoroughly deserved his goal. Should have scored more though.

Attendance : 25629
Referee : Jamie Ward

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Friday 31st March 2006 - Premiership Table


1st - Man Utd - 75 pts
2nd - Liverpool - 72
3rd - Chelsea - 71
4th - Arsenal - 59
5th - Tottenham - 50
6th - Everton - 49
7th - Blackburn - 46
8th - Middlesbrough - 41
9th - Fulham - 40
10th - Charlton - 38
11th - Man City - 38
12th - Newcastle - 35
13th - Aston Villa - 33
14th - Wigan - 33
15th - Portsmouth - 31
16th - Birmingham - 30
17th - Bolton - 29
18th - West Ham - 25
19th - West Brom - 24
20th - Sunderland - 24

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Saturday 1st April 2006

MONTHLY AWARDS FOR MARCH

The Barclays Premiership Player of the Month was Arsenal's world-class striker Thierry Henry as his seven goals helped his side established the 4th Champions League spot in the Premiership table. Also laid on an assist for his side.

The Barclays Premiership Young Player of the Month was Manchester United's wonderkid Wayne Rooney as his breathtaking displays over the month has helped his side just about hang on to top spot in the Premiership table. His super performances included one goal and two assists for his team.

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month was Chelsea's Jose Mourinhoas he guided his players to five wins from their six league matches this month. This form has helped his side mount a genuine title challenge with the team lying just 4 points behind Man Utd with just seven games remaining.

The Barclays Premiership Goal of the Month was Christophe Landrin's absolute screamer for West Ham against West Brom and it helped his side to a vital victory in their fight against relegation this season.