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Monday 24th April 2006

TERRIFIC MOKOENA EARNS HIS PLACE IN TEAM

After his uncompromising performance against West Ham last Monday afternoon, Blackburn's commanding centre-back Aaron Mokoena was selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Jens Lehmann (Arsenal)

Lauren (Arsenal)
Zat Knight (Fulham)
Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn)
Ashley Cole (Arsenal)

Tomasz Jarzebowski (Portsmouth)
Tim Cahill (Everton)
Edgar Davids (Tottenham)
Ricardo Gardner (Bolton)

Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
Juan Pablo Angel (Aston Villa)

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Saturday 29th April 2006

SAVAGE THE CAPTAIN MARVEL
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0

What a performance from the skipper eh? Blackburn Rovers were absolutely fantastic in defeating Charlton Athletic at Ewood Park this afternoon. Rovers were a man down early on with Ryan Nelsen dismissed for a professional foul but that didnt stop Faiz Khan's men from playing the same match. Robbie Savage converted a penalty minutes after the red card and then finished the match off late on. Charlton also finished the game with ten men as Jerome Thomas was dismissed for two yellow cards shortly after halftime. The home side thoroughly deserved the three points as they dominated the match for long periods. Khan didnt make any changes to the side that lost at Middlesbrough last weekend while Charlton gaffer Alan Curbishley made three alterations from the home defeat by West Brom with Radostin Kishishev, Jonatan Johansson and Bryan Hughes coming in for Jonathan Spector, Talal El Karkouri and Darren Ambrose.

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Lancashire, referee Matt Messias got the proceedings up and running. David Bentley threw the ball down the line for Craig Bellamy who crossed to the near post where Shefki Kuqi took one touch before firing the ball straight at Dean Kiely and the ball was cleared to safety. Blackburn made a very bright start to the match but they were slowed down considerably on 14 minutes. Karl Svensson was caught on the halfway by Cameron Jerome and as the young striker went towards goal he was hacked down from behind by Nelsen. The referee saw the incident clearly and immediately waved the red card in the New Zealand international's face. Khan was disappointed with what happened but he was smiling minutes later as Blackburn defiantly took the lead. Michael Gray played down the line for Bellamy and he stormed into the area before being held back by Spector and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Savage stepped up confidently and converted the penalty to Kiely's right. Halfway through the first half, Bentley gave Bellamy the ball and he crossed towards the near post where Savage's header was tipped over the crossbar by Kiely. Just before the halfhour, Blackburn should have extended the lead. Bellamy took the ball forward and then played Steven Reid through on goal but his first time effort went high over the crossbar, to his own frustration. Just after the halfhour, Bellamy went bursting down the right flank and passed the ball inside for the onrushing Reid to hit first time just inches wide of the goal. Five minutes before halftime, Savage stepped up from 25 yards out and his direct freekick was deflected by Matt Holland and into Kiely's grateful arms. On the stroke of halftime, Ambrose came running with purpose at the Blackburn backline before teeing up Holland from 30 yards but his fierce low effort was easily smothered by Richard Lee. Moments later, the referee signalled the end of the first half as Blackburn were ahead. Rovers were reduced to ten men early on but they took the lead soon after the dismissal and they havent looked like struggling without a man as they dominated the rest of this first half leaving the halftime scoreline at BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0.

The second half got underway as Blackburn looked to push on from a good first half's work. And their task was made much easier shortly after the break as Jerome Thomas, already on a booking from the first half, lashed out at Bentley in the face right infront of the referee and he was already walking down the tunnel - a moment of madness from the youngster! But Charlton had the opportunity to equalise minutes later. Hermann Hreidarsson combined passes with substitute Hughes and the Icelandic's cross was turned just inches wide by Jerome. Halfway through the second half, Rovers wasted the chance to go two up. Bentley came inside twisting and turning leading defenders a merry dance before playing substitute David Thompson clear on goal but he placed his shot inches wide instead inches inside the goal. And moments later, Bentley crossed to the far post where the waiting Thompson fired the ball at Kiely and then stabbed the rebound well over the crossbar. You would have thought those missed opportunities would have come back to haunt Faiz Khan's men but Savage didnt allow that to happen as he clinched the three points with just 9 minutes remaining. Reid spreaded the ball out to Bentley on the left and his cross into the penalty area was headed firmly into the far corner by Savage to send the home fans wild and Khan likewise. And Savage almost hit his hat-trick five minutes later. Savage stepped up from 30 yards out and his freekick was beaten away by Kiely and the rebound from Bentley was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Kiely. That was the last action of the game as the referee blew for fulltime five minutes later. Blackburn fell down to ten men early in the game but still managed to control the first half and thoroughly deserved their one goal lead. In the second half, Charlton were also reduced to ten men and Blackburn controlled the second period and secured the victory late in the day. The final scoreline from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0.

Blackburn : Lee 7, Neill 8, Gray 7, Nelsen 5, Svensson 8, Emerton 6 (Thompson 62, 7), Bentley 9, Savage 9, Reid 8, Kuqi 7 (Mokoena 15, 7), Bellamy 7 (Jansen 62, 7).

Goals : Savage (19, 81)

Booked : Neill

Sent Off : Nelsen (14)

Charlton : Kiely 8, Spector 6 (Euell 72, 6), Hreidarsson 6, Sorondo 7 (Hughes 48, 7), Fortune 7, Smertin 8, El Karkouri 6, Holland 6, Ambrose 6, Jerome 6 (Perry 75, 7), Thomas 5.

Booked : Spector, El Karkouri, Holland & Thomas

Sent Off : Thomas (47)

Injured : Jerome (75)

Man of the Match : Robbie Savage - the Blackburn skipper was superb when the team lost a man and led the team by example with two vital goals at vital times. A great all-round display from 'Captain Marvel!'

Attendance : 29987
Referee : Matt Messias

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Sunday 30th April 2006 - Premiership Table


1st - Man Utd - 88 pts
2nd - Liverpool - 83
3rd - Chelsea - 81
4th - Arsenal - 71
5th - Tottenham - 62
6th - Middlesbrough - 56
7th - Everton - 55
8th - Blackburn - 52
9th - Fulham - 50
10th - Man City - 43
11th - Aston Villa - 43
12th - Portsmouth - 43
13th - Charlton - 42
14th - Newcastle - 41
15th - Bolton - 39
16th - Birmingham - 35
17th - Wigan - 34
18th - West Brom - 29
19th - Sunderland - 29
20th - West Ham - 29

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Monday 1st May 2006

BENTLEY TAKES HIS PLACE

After a rarely impressive display in the victory over Charlton at the weekend, Blackburn's David Bentley took his place in the Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Jose Manuel Reina (Liverpool)

Tomasz Klos (Birmingham)
Sami Hyypia (Liverpool)
Tomas Votava (Portsmouth)
George McCartney (Sunderland)

David Bentley (Blackburn)
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Mohamed Sissoko (Liverpool)
Boudewijn Zenden (Liverpool)

Djibril Cisse (Liverpool)
Emile Heskey (Birmingham)

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Monday 1st May 2006

MONTHLY AWARDS FOR APRIL

The Barclays Premiership Player of the Month was Fulham's experienced full-back Niclas Jensen as his fantastic displays have helped his side push for a European place late in the season. His performances included one winning goal and two man of the match performances.

The Barclays Premiership Young Player of the Month was Liverpool's enthusiastic midfielder Mohamed Sissoko as his powerhouse performances helped his side keep the pressure on leaders Manchester United. He laid on a goal for a team-mate and put in three man of the match displays.

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month was Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren as he guided his team to five wins in their six Premiership matches this month. This great form has seen Boro make a late surge for a European spot in the Premiership table.

The Barclays Premiership Goal of the Month was Thierry Henry's superb run and thunderous shot into the top corner which sent Arsenal on their way to an emphatic victory over Wigan at the JJB Stadium.

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Sunday 7th May 2006

ROVERS END SEASON ON HIGH
BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 BIRMINGHAM CITY 1

A nice way to finish your first season at the club. Faiz Khan saw his side comfortably Birmingham City on the final day of the season at Ewood Park this afternoon. Robbie Savage converted a penalty halfway through the first half and then Shefki Kuqi scored his first goal since February soon after the break. Substitute David Dunn pulled a goal back halfway through the second half to give Birmingham hope but they were destroyed when Steven Reid secured the three points late in the game. Blackburn winning by 2 goals was maybe a bit flattering for the home side but Khan wont mind too much. He made just one change from the victory over Charlton with the suspended Ryan Nelsen replaced by Aaron Mokoena. Birmingham manager Steve Bruce made two changes from the side that beat Middlesbrough last weekend with Calum Davenport and Damian Johnson coming in for Matthew Upson and Ardian Gashi.

On a dry but very cold final day of the season, referee Peter Walton got the match underway to the roars of the Rovers faithful. Blackburn got quickly into their stride and should have taken the lead after only three minutes. Brett Emerton headed on a goal kick to Kuqi who sent Craig Bellamy clear on goal with only Niko Vaesen to beat but the keeper was not allowing the ball to go in with a fantastic block. After 11 minutes, Karl Svensson sent Emerton clear on the right and sent in a great cross but nobody could get the vital connection on it. Five minutes later, some slick one touch passing involving Johnson, Stephen Clemence and Emile Heskey teed up Mikael Forsell from 25 yards out but his effort was high and wide. Halfway through the first half, Blackburn made the breakthrough. Michael Gray sent a high ball into the area and Davenport got too close to Kuqi and barged him to the floor - this was right under the nose of the referee and the penalty decision was inevitable. Savage stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick to Vaesen's left. On the halfhour, Nasredine Kraouche sped past Savage and Reid before unleashing a powerful effort which Richard Lee did well to smother. On 39 minutes, Savage was fouled on the edge of the box by Mario Melchiot and he stepped up with a direct freekick which flew just inches over the crossbar. Four minutes of stoppage time later, the referee brought the first half to a halt. Blackburn started the stronger and took the lead halfway through the half but Birmingham came back into the game as the half wore on to make the second half very interesting viewing. The scoreline at halftime from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY 0.

The second half was up and running at a very noisy Ewood Park as Birmingham were trying to secure survival in this half. But that bid was cut short as Blackburn went two goals clear. Savage was 35 yards out and played a wonderful defence-splitting pass through to Bellamy and although his firm effort was palmed away by Vaesen, Kuqi was on hand to snap up the rebound and tap home. On 56 minutes, Birmingham almost hit back with a goal. Savage tripped Clemence and Tomasz Klos stepped up from 30 yards out but his effort was easily caught by Lee. A minute later, Birmingham should have scored a goal back. Gray was caught dallying on the ball too long and Kraouche stepped in to put Heskey clean through only to drift his chip yards wide of the goal. Halfway through the second half, Clemence pushed substitute David Thompson and Savage's direct freekick was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Vaesen. And that excellent save proved to be crucial as Birmingham pulled a goal back three minutes later. Substitute Dunn sent Heskey wide on the left and Heskey cut inside before finding Dunn in the area and Dunn stabbed the ball between Lee's legs and Birmingham were alive in this match. A wonderful move almost put Blackburn out of sight five minutes later. Substitute Garry Flitcroft sent over a high cross towards the far post where Thompson nodded back for Reid to hit it first time but Vaesen was more than equal to the task and saved very well. But it was definitely over seven minutes from time. A Lee goalkick was flicked on by Reid to send Thompson away on the right flank with yards of space to run towards goal and the Englishman squared for Reid to sweep the ball into the far corner - his 1st goal of the season and on the last day of the season! There was one more chance in this match and it fell to the visitors. Clemence went storming down the left and teed up Kraouche from at least 30 yards out and his blistering effort went crashing into the sidenetting. Referee Peter Walton blew for fulltime soon after and Blackburn finish the season a high. They started the match very brightly and deserved their halftime advantage. Rovers then scored almost immediately after the interval and although Birmingham pulled a goal back on 71 minutes, the home side made sure of the three points late in the match. The final score at Ewood Park on the final day of the Premiership season was BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 BIRMINGHAM CITY 1.

Blackburn : Lee 6, Neill 7, Gray 7, Svensson 8, Mokoena 7, Emerton 7 (Thompson 65, 7), Bentley 7, Savage 8, Reid 8, Kuqi 8 (Flitcroft 76, 6), Bellamy 7 (Jansen 65, 7).

Goals : Savage (23), Kuqi (48), Reid (83)

Booked : Svensson & Emerton

Birmingham : Vaesen 7, Melchiot 6, Clapham 6 (Dunn 64, 7), Klos 7, Davenport 6 (Valenciano 71, 6), Johnson 7, Gray 6, Kraouche 7, Clemence 7, Forsell 6 (Tebily 45, 6), Heskey 7.

Goals : Dunn (71)

Man of the Match : Robbie Savage - the Blackburn skipper followed up last week's display up with another captain marvel performance complete with snapping tackles and bursting runs. Always count on him when taking a penalty, even during crisis situations!

Attendance : 31336
Referee : Peter Walton

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Monday 8th May 2006

BELLAMY WANTS TO LEAVE EWOOD PARK?

Moments after the victory against Birmingham City at Ewood Park yesterday afternoon, striker Craig Bellamy stunned Blackburn Rovers by saying that he needed to move to a bigger club. He went on to state that his ambition was to win lots of trophies and he felt that he could not achieve this at Ewood Park.

After learning of Bellamy's comments, manager Faiz Khan is understood to have told Bellamy that he would not be allowed to leave Blackburn for a bigger club. Khan also mentioned his desire to keep hold of his better players so that he could fulfil Bellamy's dreams and ambitions.

Later on this afternoon, Bellamy was interviewed about Khan's words and the Welshman responded shockingly well to them. He has backed down on the comments made to the press yesterday about seeking to leave Ewood Park for a bigger club. He ended the press conference by saying that he was more than ready to help his manager Khan try and build this side into one that can achieve good and successful time in the future.

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Tuesday 9th May 2006

ANNUAL PREMIERSHIP AWARDS

The English Players' Player of the Year was Manchester United's powerful striker Ruud van Nistelrooy as his 28 domestic goals were instrumental in bringing the Premiership title back to Old Trafford this season. His league goals also won him the Premiership golden boot.

The English Players' Young Player of the Year was Manchester United's wonderkid Wayne Rooney as his 22 domestic goals and 9 domestic assists were also very important in the Premiership title victory.

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Year was Manchester United's Sir Alex Fergusonas he guided his players to their 9th Premiership title in Premiership history. It was also United's 16th league victory in the club's history.

The English Footballer of the Year was Arsenal's world-class striker Thierry Henry as his 29 domestic goals helped his side reach the FA Cup final against Chelsea this Saturday. He came 2nd to Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Premiership scoring charts this season.

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Keep it up mate this is great!

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Tuesday 9th May 2006

PREMIERSHIP END OF SEASON REPORT

Final Premiership Table

1st - Man Utd - 91 pts
2nd - Chelsea - 84
3rd - Liverpool - 84
4th - Arsenal - 77
5th - Tottenham - 62
6th - Everton - 58
7th - Middlesbrough - 56
8th - Blackburn - 55
9th - Fulham - 50
10th - Man City - 46
11th - Charlton - 45
12th - Aston Villa - 43
13th - Portsmouth - 43
14th - Newcastle - 42
15th - Bolton - 42
16th - Wigan - 37
17th - Birmingham - 35
18th - West Brom - 32
19th - Sunderland - 29
20th - West Ham - 29

TEAM STATS

Highest Average Attendance : Man Utd - 67695
Best 5 Previous Games : Arsenal & Bolton - WWLWW
Best 5 Previous Home Games : Arsenal - WWWWW
Best 5 Previous Away Games : Chelsea - WWWLW
Most Games Won in a Row : Liverpool - 13
Most Games Lost in a Row : Bolton - 6
Most Games Without Losing : Liverpool - 26
Most Games Without Winning : Portsmouth - 13
Most Goals Scored : Arsenal & Man Utd - 78
Least Goals Conceded : Chelsea - 21
Most Penalties : Fulham - 10
Most Goals From Corners : Liverpool - 7
Most Goals From Indirect Freekicks : Arsenal - 10
Most Goals From Direct Freekicks : Everton & Newcastle - 4
Most Yellow Cards : West Ham - 58
Most Red Cards : Aston Villa - 10
Least Yellow Cards : Arsenal - 21
Least Red Cards : Chelsea & Fulham - 1

PLAYER STATS

Top Goalscorer : Ruud van Nistelrooy (Man Utd) - 27
Top Penalty Scorer : Zat Knight (Fulham) - 5
Most Assists : Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) - 14
Most Yellow Cards : Paul Konchesky (West Ham), Ben Thatcher (Man City) & Franck Queudrue (Middlesbrough) - 8
Most Red Cards : Andy Webster (Aston Villa) & Tal Ben-Haim (Bolton) - 3
Most Man of the Match : Tim Cahill (Everton) & Jermain Defoe (Tottenham) - 7
Highest Pass Completion (%) : Claude Makelele (Chelsea) & Roy Keane (Man Utd) - 85%
Highest Tackles Per Game : Steven Taylor (Newcastle) - 4.36
Highest Dribbles Per Game : Arjen Robben (Chelsea) - 7.52
Highest Shots on Target (%) : Hernan Crespo (Chelsea) - 67%