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Saturday 22nd July 2006

KHAN HAPPY WITH GUARIN DEBUT PERFORMANCE

After being approached about Freddy Guarin's debut display, Blackburn Rovers manager Faiz Khan said that he was very happy with Guarin's performance and believes that the Columbian youngster would get much better once he adapted to life in Blackburn.

However, when Guarin heard about Khan's comments to the press, he stated that he was concerned the manager may be expecting too much from the youngster's engine at the moment. He's young, he'll learn!

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Wednesday 26th July 2006

INTERTOTO CUP SEMI-FINAL 1ST LEG

TWO MATTS HIT IT OFF STRAIGHT AWAY
IRAKLIS 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2

Great result, great performance. Faiz Khan saw Blackburn Rovers dispatch Iraklis in their first leg with ease in Salonika tonight. First half goals from youngster Matt Derbyshire and Matt Jansen were enough for Blackburn to take a healthy away goal lead back to Ewood Park. Iraklis were not even in this match to be honest as Rovers dominated possession and created opportunities to deservedly lead the tie at its halfway stage. Khan made five changes from the side that drew with Hearts in the last round with Brad Friedel, Ryan Nelsen, Brett Emerton, Robbie Savage and Derbyshire coming in for Peter Enckleman, Karl Svensson, David Thompson, Freddy Guarin and Shefki Kuqi. Iraklis boss Savvas Kofidis made no changes from the victory over Denizlispor.

In sweltering temperatures in Greece, referee Carlos Megia Davila got this first leg up and running. Iraklis actually made a bright start to the match by almost taking the lead inside just two minutes. Jose Antonio Torrealba went down the left flank and when his cross was deflected by James McEveley into the path of Dickson Etuhu, the Nigerian's attempted lob over Friedel went sailing over the crossbar. Blackburn hit back after seven minutes with a good effort, Savage stepped up from 30 yards and his freekick was superbly tipped away by keeper Fanis Katergiannakis. On 18 minutes, Jansen intercepted a goalkick and laid the ball on for Savage who teed up Derbyshire from 30 yards but his firm effort was easily smothered by Katergiannakis. The young striker made his next opportunity though as Blackburn took the lead midway through the first half. A Friedel goalkick was flicked on by Emerton and Derbyshire raced onto the great header and sweetly struck the ball first time into the bottom corner from 25 yards out - his 1st goal for his hometown club and what a finish! Just after the halfhour, Derbyshire went close to adding his and Rovers' second goal. Derbyshire stole the ball off Tasos Katsabis and ran towards goal but his strong shot was stopped brilliantly by Katergiannakis and the ball was cleared to safety. On the counter-attack, Iraklis came close to equalising against the run of play. McEveley was penalised on the edge of the area and Adil Bekkari stepped up from 20 yards and his freekick went just inches over the crossbar. Blackburn were soon on the attack again and thought they had scored two minutes before halftime. Aaron Mokoena sent a high ball over for Michael Gray to cross for Derbyshire to sweep home but the linesman got the very marginal decision just about right. But there was no ruling a goal on the stroke of halftime. McEveley's clearence found Derbyshire who ran at the Iraklis backline before sending a precise ball for Jansen to take one touch before smashing the ball straight through Katergiannakis. Moments later, the referee called for the interval in Salonika. Blackburn have dominated this first half from pretty much start to finish and they clearly deserve their two away goals given to them by Derbyshire and Jansen. The score at halftime in Salonika was IRAKLIS 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2.

The tiny amount of travelling Blackburn supporters were doing their best to will their team on as the proceedings got going again. Both sides started this second half very quietly as they were cancelling each other and were not creating any opportunities. Just short of the hour mark, Blackburn almost added a third goal. Emerton received a throw from Lucas Neill and his cross to the edge of the area was met sweetly by Mokoena but his goalbound volley was cleared off the line by Grigoris Papazacharias. Halfway through the second half, Blackburn again came very close to adding to their away goals. Substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen swung a corner to the edge of the area where Emerton volleyed it goalwards by deflection but substitute Ilias Vouras produced a wonderful instinct save. Just before the end of the match, Blackburn had another good opportunity to grab a third away goal. Pedersen played a freekick into the area where unmarked substitute Thompson met it on the volley but Vouras pulled a fantastic fingertip save to keep his side in the tie altogether. The final whistle went minutes later in Salonika. Blackburn negotiated an away trip in Europe and came away with two away goals. They totally controlled the first half from start to finish and capped that with two goals. In the second half, although it was a bit quieter, Blackburn were the only team creating chances and ran out comfortable winners of the first leg against a surprisingly weak side. The final score from Salonika was IRAKLIS 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2.

Iraklis : Katergiannakis 7 (Vouras 45, 7), Papazacharias 6, Soulidis 6, Katsabis 5, Bekkari 7 (Seghiri 44, 6), Georgiadis 6, Murati 6, Etuhu 7, Lagos 7, P Kapetanos 6, Torrealba 6 (K Kapetanos 45, 6).

Blackburn : Friedel 7, Neill 8, McEveley 7, Nelsen 8, Mokoena 7, Emerton 9, Gray 7 (Pedersen 63, 6), Savage 8, Reid 7 (Thompson 63, 7), Derbyshire 8, Jansen 8 (Rossi 63, 6).

Goals : Derbyshire (24), Jansen (45)

Booked : Nelsen & Gray

Man of the Match : Brett Emerton - the flamboyant winger was a constant threat to the Iraklis backline all night as he produced his best performance in a Blackburn shirt in a long time. His assist for Derbyshire's goal was great to see too.

Attendance : 2046
Referee : Carlos Megia Davila

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Sunday 30th July 2006

KHAN RECEIVES PRE-SEASON BELLAMY BLOW

Blackburn Rovers have announced this afternoon that star striker Craig Bellamy has sustained broken ribs after a thunderous challenge during training earlier this morning. The player has been told by a specialist that the injury will keep him out of action for as long as a month, ruling him out for the first month of the new Premiership season.

Manager Faiz Khan has stated that he is very disappinted but not surprised at the injury. Since taking over from Mark Hughes, Khan has seen Bellamy succumb to injury at least three times in just 12 minths. Khan will be very worried that he cannot play his key striker as much as he wants to. The Welsh international's place in the starting line-up will probably be taken by Shefki Kuqi, who was so prolific infront of goal for Blackburn Rovers.

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Wednesday 2nd August 2006

INTERTOTO CUP SEMI-FINAL 2ND LEG

ROVERS CRUISE THROUGH TO FINAL
BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 IRAKLIS (Blackburn Rovers win 5-0 on aggregate)

Well, was that comfortable or what? Blackburn Rovers comfortably overcame Iraklis in their second leg at Ewood Park tonight. A first half penalty from Shefki Kuqi set the tone for the rest of the half. Goals late on in the second half from Steven Reid and Michael Gray clinched a very big aggregate scoreline for Blackburn tonight. It was a second leg dominated by Rovers very much in the same way that they controlled the first leg. Faiz Khan made four changes from the first leg victory by bringing in Peter Enckleman, Karl Svensson, Freddy Guarin and Kuqi for Brad Friedel, Ryan Nelsen, Robbie Savage and Matt Derbyshire. Iraklis made four alterations from the defeat in Greece last Wednesday.

On a very warm evening at Ewood Park, referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez got this second leg underway. Blackburn didnt waste much time, taking the lead inside 10 minutes. Reid spreaded the ball to James McEveley and his cross went towards the far post where Guarin was pushed in the air by Adil Bekkari and the referee had no option but to point to the spot. Kuqi stepped up and calmly slotted the penalty away to Katergiannakis' left corner. Five minutes later, Guarin himself almost gave Rovers a second goal. He stepped from around 30 yards out and his fierce freekick was superbly caught in mid-air by Katergiannakis. Halfway through the first half, Iraklis fashioned out their first opportunity of the match. A high ball from Tasos Katsabis was flicked on by Jose Antonio Torrealba into the path of Edvin Murati but his effort was high and wide. On the halfhour, Reid played a very nice one-two with McEveley before unleashing a thunderous shot from 30 yards out but his effort flew just inches wide of the goal. A minute later, Aaron Mokoena teed up Gray from around 25 yards out but his fierce effort was superbly tipped around the post by Katergiannakis. On 38 minutes, Guarin had another crack from a freekick, this time around 35 yards out but the ambitious and fierce effort produced another outstanding save from Katergiannakis - Blackburn and particularly Guarin enjoying this very easy match. Three minutes of stoppage time later, the referee blew for the interval. Blackburn lead at the break after totally controlling that first period and deserved the early goal from Kuqi. Guarin is also playing really well and Iraklis have to be careful or they could a real battering in the second half. The score at halftime from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 IRAKLIS 0.

The second half was up and running as the small section of travelling Iraklis supporters were giving their team great support inspite of the scoreline. And that fantastic support almost forced a goal for Iraklis. Torrealba played a slick one-two with Dickson Etuhu before unleashing a fierce shot from 30 yards out that flew just inches over the crossbar. Minutes later, Blackburn should have added a second goal. McEveley gave Gray the ball on the left wing and he ran to the byline before crossing to the near post where Kuqi headed against the crossbar from merely two yards out. Just before the hour, Lucas Neill played a high ball to put Jansen clear on goal but he wasted his effort by shooting too straight and the ball trickled miles wide of the goal. On 77 minutes, Blackburn made their pressure count with a wonderful second goal. Svensson won the ball from the feet of Etuhu and gave the ball to Reid who took one touch before vicious curling the ball from 25 yards that went flying past Katergiannakis into the far corner. Entering stoppage time, Blackburn should have scored a third goal on the night. McEveley played a quick freekick into the area where substitute Giuseppe Rossi's firm header was stopped very well by Katergiannakis. A minute later, Rovers did score a third goal. Mokoena spread the ball to Emerton on the right flank and his instant cross towards the far post was firmly headed into the roof of the net by Gray. Moments later, referee Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez called for the end of the second leg. Blackburn had made it to the final of the Intertoto Cup. Blackburn totally dominated the first half and thoroughly merited the early goal. In the second half, it was more of the same as Rovers controlled possession and gradually wore down Iraklis. Two late goal in the second half put the icing on the cake. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 IRAKLIS 0.

Blackburn : Enckleman 7, Neill 7 (Nelsen 68, 6), McEveley 8, Svensson 8, Mokoena 8, Emerton 8, Gray 10, Guarin 8, Reid 8, Kuqi 7 (Derbyshire 68, 7), Jansen (Rossi 57, 7).

Goals : Kuqi (10), Reid (77), Gray (90)

Booked : Nelsen

Iraklis : Katergiannakis 7, Katsabis 7, Sznaucner 7 (K Kapetanos 70, 6), Bekkari 5, Seghiri 7, Murati 6, Diamantidis 6, Etuhu 6 (Stefanis 77, 6), Georgiadis 7, Torrealba 7 (Fortuzi 70, 6), Lagos 7.

Booked : Bekkari, Etuhu & Lagos

Man of the Match : Michael Gray - the experienced full-back seems to be enjoying his new left-wing position at the moment as his raids down the left is threatening every time Blackburn attack. His goal right at the end rounded his night off.

Attendance : 10035
Referee : Eduardo Iturralde Gonzalez

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Monday 7th August 2006

PREMIERSHIP LOOKS PRETTY TIGHT THIS YEAR

After last season's close title race, there are three teams in with equal opportunity of capturing the Premiership Title. Defending champions Manchester United and last year's joint runners-up Chelsea and Liverpool are all joint favourites to win the league this season. Here are some of the bets:

Man Utd 6-4
Chelsea 6-4
Liverpool 6-4
Arsenal 7-4
Everton 33-1
Tottenham 40-1

Blackburn Rovers have been made 80-1 odds to lift the Premiership crown. They are very long odds but it is a far cry from last season as they were one of the hot favourites to be relegated. This time round, the odds reflect a team that has an outside chance of mounting a serious title challenge but are more likely not to. Faiz Khan will certainly feel that he has lifted the relegation gloom at Ewood Park in the past 12 months.

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Wednesday 9th August 2006

INTERTOTO CUP FINAL 1ST LEG

BRAVE ROVERS SPRING HUGE SHOCK
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 VALENCIA 1

It could have been better but Rovers will take this. Faiz Khan saw his side achieve their most important result since he took over after defeating Valencia at Ewood Park tonight. First half goals from Ruben Baraja (og) and Shefki Kuqi gave Blackburn a dream lead going into halftime. But after the break, the Spanish giants cranked up the pressure and almost went home empty handed until David Villa snatched a very late away goal to give his side hope for the return leg in a fortnight. Valencia maybe deserved to at least draw this match but Blackburn bravely came through this game. Khan named the side that has really got to the final with the likes of Robbie Savage, Lucas Neill and Kuqi starting while Valencia boss Quique Flores named a very strong side including Pablo Aimar, Vicente and Villa.

On a very hot August evening at Ewood Park, referee Stefano Farina got this first leg up and running. Valencia were on the front foot first here as they went close after 10 minutes. Rufete and Aimar combined to tee up Vicente from 25 yards out but his fierce effort flew just inches wide of the goal. And a minute later, Rufete sent Vicente clean through on goal and his goalbound shot was superbly kept out by Peter Enckleman. Blackburn escaped that double threat to take a shock lead after 19 minutes. Brett Emerton played a nice one-two with Neill down the right flank and he crossed towards the near post where Baraja deflected the ball past his own keeper Juan Luis Mora. Straight from the restart, a high ball from Rufete was flicked on by Villa into the path of Vicente but his low effort was easily smothered by Enckleman. On 24 minutes, Blackburn continued to show fantastic composure infront of goal as they extended their lead. Kuqi spreaded the ball out to Emerton on the right and he ran at Fabio Aurelio and crossed to Kuqi into the area who took one touch before striking the ball into the top corner from 12 yards. Blackburn were clearly enjoying themselves and they came close to adding a third goal before the halfhour. James McEveley's high ball was nodded back by Kuqi into the path of Emerton who struck the ball first time but it went just inches over the crossbar. Five minutes before halftime, Valencia had a great double opportunity to snatch an away goal. On the counter-attack, Vicente sent a wonderful ball to send Villa clear on goal but he hesitated and Aaron Mokoena came back with a fantastic tackle. From the resulting corner, Aimar swung the ball to the far post but David Albelda could not keep his firm header down. Minutes later, the referee called for the break. Blackburn lead at halftime with two breakaway goals as Valencia have had the better of the possession and opportunities but Peter Enckleman has made a couple of outstanding saves to keep Rovers ahead. Blackburn have had one good opportunity but they have scored twice. The score at halftime from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 VALENCIA 0.

Faiz Khan made a halftime substitution as Giuseppe Rossi came on for Kuqi who had picked up a knock in the first half. Anyway, the second half was underway at Ewood Park. Early in the second period, Rovers had the chance to put massive headway between Valencia. Karl Svennson's clearance found Rossi clean through on goal and he squared the ball for Matt Jansen to tap home but Mora kept the ball out brilliantly and the ball was cleared to safety. On the hour, Rovers began cranking up the pressure and should have extended their advantage. Rossi spreaded the ball to Emerton on the right wing and his cross was swept well over the crossbar by the onrushing Steven Reid. On 65 minutes, Valencia should have scored a priceless away goal. Blackburn fell asleep on a throw-in and Villa went racing to the byline where his great cut back was met by Baraja's diving header but Enckleman produced a fantastic fingertip save to divert the ball over the crossbar. With just fiveteen minutes, Valencia soon realised that it may not be their day. Rufete raced past Michael Gray and played in Villa who turned inside Svensson until his shot was blocked by Enckleman and then he struck the rebound against the crossbar and into Enckleman's grateful arms. On 81 minutes, Enckleman was there again for Blackburn, Villa went bursting down the right side and when his cross went towards the near post, substitute Mista's instinctive shot was superbly kept out low down by Enckleman - the keeper was going the wrong way but it was just that kind of match for Enckleman! Five minutes later, Aurelio's sent a beautiful pass over the top for Mista to run onto and he took the ball wide of Enckleman but the Rovers' keeper was not having anything of it as he stuck out his right hand to tip the effort wide. But in stoppage time, he was powerless after all as Valencia snatched an away goal. Substitute Freddy Guarin was caught in possession by Rufete and went away towards the penalty area before teeing Villa up from 25 yards out and his first time curler flew past Enckleman into the far corner. The final whistle moments after the goal. Blackburn have pulled off a fantastic result tonight at Ewood Park. They scored two goals in the first half where the action was very much even. But after the break, the true quality of Valencia started to show as they controlled the second period for long spells but they were denied time and time again by Enckleman. They did strike in stoppage time to make the second leg in the Mestalla very interesting but for now, Blackburn are on cloud nine here! The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 VALENCIA 1.

Blackburn : Enckleman 9, Neill 8, McEveley 7 (Pedersen 71, 6), Svensson 8, Mokoena 7, Emerton 7, Gray 7, Savage 7 (Guarin 62, 5), Reid 8, Kuqi 7 (Rossi 45, 7), Jansen 7.

Goals : Baraja og (19), Kuqi (24)

Valencia : Mora 6 (Canizares 80, 6), Miguel 7, Aurelio 7, Ayala 7, Caneira 7, Albelda 7, Baraja 7 (Edu 85, 6), Rufete 9, Vicente 7, Aimar 7 (Mista 73, 7), Villa 8.

Goals : Villa (90)

Booked : Caneira, Rufete & Vicente

Man of the Match : Peter Enckleman - no surprise here as the Finnish goalkeeper was inspirational in keeping Blackburn in a healthy lead and only real quality beat him in the end. Surely played well enough to warrant a first team thought for Faiz Khan.

Attendance : 31353
Referee : Stefano Farina

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Sunday 13th August 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

LATE NOLAN GOAL DENIES ROVERS
BOLTON WANDERERS 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1

It was close, but not close enough! Bolton Wanderers grabbed a last-gasp point against Blackburn Rovers in the opening match of the Premiership here at the Reebok Stadium this afternoon. The last kick of the match came from Kevin Nolan, cancelling out Matt Jansen's breakaway goal late in the first half. In truth, Bolton more than deserved the point they got as they had the edge on Blackburn in terms of both possession and clear opportunities. Faiz Khan handed Freddy Guarin his Premiership debut while Bolton manager Sam Allardyce had Dick van Burik and Bastiaan Gheysen making their Bolton Wanderers bow.

On a reasonably mild early Sunday afternoon in Bolton, referee Jamie Ward got the first Premiership match up and running. Blackburn were out of the blocks very early and almost took the lead. A Brad Friedel goal kick was flicked on by Shefki Kuqi into the path of Steven Reid on the left wing and his crossed towards the back post where Brett Emerton climbed to head just inches wide of the goal. Bolton started slowly and made their first opportunity after 13 minutes. Christoffer Andersson spreaded the ball out to Ricardo Gardner on the left and he crossed into the area but Jay Jay Okocha's first time effort was wayward and wasnt troubling Friedel. Halfway through the first half, Rovers had a great opportunity to take the lead. Morten Gamst Pedersen sent a great ball down the left channel for Kuqi to chase onto and he pulled the ball for Guarin but his shot was well blocked by Jussi Jaaskelainen. Just after the halfhour, Bolton should have made the breakthrough. Andersson played a nice one-two with Nolan on the right flank and he crossed into the box for Jared Borgetti but the Mexican was denied by a fine stop from Friedel. And that missed opportunity proved costly as Rovers did make the breakthrough on the counter-attack. Karl Svensson's high clearence found Kuqi in great space and he waited before playing in Jansen and the Englishman showed great composure by sweeping the ball in at Jaaskelainen's near post. That proved to be the last action of the first half as the referee blew for halftime after four minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn have the lead at the break thanks to Jansen's neat finish. Both sides created very good scoring opportunities but both keepers were in decent form before Jansen's opening goal for Blackburn. The score at halftime from the Reebok Stadium was BOLTON WANDERERS 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

The second half began at the Reebok with Blackburn in front but with Bolton not out of it. Bolton showed that they are not out of this match by almost levelling up. Tal Ben-Haim sent Okocha away down the right and his instant cross was met firmly by Borgetti's head but Ryan Nelsen denied him, clearing the ball off the line. A couple of minutes later, Bolton should have equalised. Gardner's long clearence sent El-Hadji Diouf away on goal with acres of space and after turning Nelsen, he blasted the ball yards wide from 12 yards out. On 72 minutes, Bolton began to put more pressure on Rovers and almost levelled the scores. Blackburn cleared a corner out to Gardner and his great cross into the area was headed home by Borgetti and went to celebrate only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Five minutes later, Fabrice Fernandes found Borgetti who went past Nelsen before unleashing a firm effort that went crashing into the sidenetting. With just six minutes remaining, Blackburn should have wrapped up the victory. Reid ran at van Burik and played substitute Andrea Gasbarroni through on goal but his fierce shot was well beaten away by Jaaskelainen and the ball was cleared to safety. And that missed opportunity cost Rovers dearly as Bolton snatched a last-gasp equaliser. Firstly, Borgetti went down the left and crossed for substitute Stelios Giannakopoulos but his header was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Friedel. A minute later, Andersson went storming down the left wing and his cross into a crowded penalty area was met on the volley by Nolan that Friedel had no chance of keeping out. The referee blew for fulltime straight after the goal to bring a pulsating match to an end. Bolton had snatched a point right at the death just when it looked like Blackburn would walk away with the points. In the first half, both sides created good opportunities before Jansen gave the visitors the lead. After the break, Bolton began to play much better, creating great chances to equalise but Friedel was saving them until Nolan's late heroics. The final score from the Reebok Stadium was BOLTON WANDERERS 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

Bolton : Jaaskelainen 7, Andersson 8, Gardner 6, Ben-Haim 7, van Burik 7, Gheysen 7 (Speed 72, 7), Okocha 6 (Giannakopoulos 61, 7), Nolan 8, Diouf 7 (Pedersen 72, 7), Borgetti 6, Fernandes 6.

Goals : Nolan (90)

Injured : Okocha (61)

Blackburn : Friedel 8, Neill 7, Gray 7, Nelsen 8, Svensson 8, Emerton 6, Pedersen 7 (Gasbarroni 45, 6), Guarin 7, Reid 7, Kuqi 7 (Keita 73, 6), Jansen 7 (Rossi 63, 6).

Goals : Jansen (36)

Man of the Match : Brad Friedel - the experienced goalkeeper was fantastic this afternoon, with a couple of vital and outstanding stops to keep Blackburn infront but it was not to be in the end.

Attendance : 28708
Referee : Jamie Ward

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Sunday 13th August 2006

KHAN LOSES PEDERSEN FOR AT LEAST FORTNIGHT

Blackburn Rovers manager Faiz Khan has just confirmed that Morten Gamst Pedersen will be out of action for a crucial fortnight for the club. After a late tackle during the draw at Bolton earlier this afternoon, the Norweigan international has suffered a bruised thigh. Khan has opted to let the club's physio David Fevre treat the injury that could keep Pedersen out of action for at least a fortnight and maybe three weeks. Pedersen has described the injury as a big disappointment and vowed to come back stronger than ever on his return to football.

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Wednesday 16th August 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

ROVERS COMPOSURE MAKES THE DIFFERENCE
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0

Composure does it very nicely indeed! Blackburn Rovers bounced back from their robbery at Bolton with a hard fought victory against Charlton in the Premiership at Ewood Park tonight. Shefki Kuqi gave Rovers the lead just before halftime and then Freddy Guarin scored his first goal for the club late on in the second half. To be honest, both sides shared great opportunities but Blackburn's greater composure infront of goal made all the difference tonight. This defeat leaves Charlton without a point or goal after two league games. Khan made four changes from the draw at Bolton with Peter Enckleman, debutant Juan Manuel Ortiz, Aaron Mokoena and Seydou Keita coming in to replace Brad Friedel, Lucas Neill, Ryan Nelsen and Morten Gamst Pedersen. Charlton boss Alan Curbishley made two alterations to the side that lost to Aston Villa with Danny Murphy and Darren Ambrose out for Talal El Karkouri and Libor Dosek.

On a very warm evening at Ewood Park, referee Matt Messias got this Premiership match underway. Blackburn started at a fast tempo and they came close on 6 minutes. Brett Emerton spreaded the ball to Keita on the left and he crossed towards the near post where Kuqi's first time volley was blocked wide by Jonathan Fortune. On 17 minutes, Fortune was harshly penalised for pushing Kuqi, despite winning the ball in the air. Keita stepped up from 25 yards out and his direct freekick was brilliantly caught in mid-air by Dean Kiely. Halfway through the first half, Rovers were starting to put pressure on Charlton and almost created an opportunity. Hermann Hreidarsson was caught in possession by Ortiz and the Spaniard's low and teasing cross was brilliantly cleared by Chris Perry, with Matt Jansen lurking behind him for any mistake. After weathering the early Blackburn storm, Charlton missed the best opportunity of the match so far just before the halfhour. Darren Bent had the ball on the right and ran at Michael Gray before sending in a great cross to the far post but an unmarked Jerome Thomas headed wide of the goal from merely six yards out. Five minutes before halftime, Blackburn almost took the lead. Kuqi went on a fantastic run from the halfway line into the penalty area and when his cross reached Gray on the edge of the area, the former England international sent a fierce effort into the sidenetting. Just before the break, Kuqi was in the thick of the action again and this time, the move had a happy ending. A loose header from Perry back to the keeper was intercepted by Jansen and when he and on the onrushing Kiely bumped into each other, Kuqi went racing for the loose ball and tapped home from barely two yards out. The halftime whistle went moments later at Ewood Park. Blackburn are in front at the break after Kuqi's messy but effective goal. And that is exactly what Blackburn deserved after controlling the majority of the first half. So Charlton had better buck up and start improving or else they will be going home empty handed. The score at halftime from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0.

The proceedings were underway again as Blackburn looked to push on from their first half display and Charlton looked to give an opposite display seen in the previous half. The second half was very quiet to begin as Blackburn were denying their opponents any room to try and get the equaliser. On the hour, Charlton almost levelled the match. Thomas went bursting down the left wing and pulled the ball back to the edge of the penalty area where Matt Holland ran onto it first time but Enckleman was equal to the shot and beat it away. On the counter-attack, Guarin played a delightful one-two with Steven Reid and the Columbian was through on goal with only Kiely to beat but Kiely produced a magnificent save and the ball was cleared to safety. On 78 minutes, Charlton should have equalised. A delightful passing move involving Thomas, Holland and Radostin Kishishev sent substitute Murphy clear on goal but his first time shot was brilliantly kept out by Enckleman at his near post. And that bad miss proved to be Charlton's last chance of a point as Blackburn finished the match off on 85 minutes. Substitute Andrea Gasbarroni played a slick one-two with Ortiz and he crossed into the penalty area where Guarin struck the ball on the volley past Kiely into the bottom corner - Guarin's 1st goal for Blackburn and Khan hopes there is more to come! That was to be the last piece of action of the match as the final whistle went after two minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn won their first home match of the Premiership season thanks to goals from Kuqi and Guarin. In the first half, Blackburn totally dominated the half for long spells and capped it off by scoring on the stroke on halftime. After the interval, the visitors came back into the match and almost equalised but for both poor finishing and great goalkeeping. And that paved the way for Guarin to clinch the three points late in the day. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0.

Blackburn : Enckleman 8, Ortiz 7, Gray 7, Svensson 8, Mokoena 7, Emerton 7 (Gasbarroni 67, 7), Keita 7, Guarin 8, Reid 8, Kuqi 7 (Rossi 45, 7), Jansen 6 (Thompson 67, 7).

Goals : Kuqi (44), Guarin (85)

Booked : Ortiz & Reid

Charlton : Kiely 6, Kishishev 6, Hreidarsson 8, Perry 7, Fortune 7, Petrov 7 (Murphy 73, 6), El Karkouri 7 (Fuller 74, 7), Holland 7, Bent 6, Dosek 6 (Jerome 73, 6), Thomas 6.

Booked : Thomas

Man of the Match : Hermann Hreidarsson - although on the losing side, the experienced full-back was coolness personified at the back for his team as his precise passing and solid defensive play was the high point in his side's unfortunate defeat.

Attendance : 24985
Referee : Matt Messias

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Saturday 19th August 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

FULHAM DO JUST ENOUGH FOR VICTORY
FULHAM 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0

It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. Fulham narrowly beat Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership at Craven Cottage this afternoon. Luis Boa Morte, a long time Blackburn target, struck the only goal of the match early in the first half. It was a victory that Fulham just about deserved as they edged their opponents in both possession and opportunities. Faiz Khan made five changes to the side that beat Charlton in midweek with Brad Friedel, Lucas Neill, James McEveley, Ryan Nelsen and debutant Denilson replacing Peter Enckleman, Juan Manuel Ortiz, Michael Gray, Aaron Mokoena and Seydou Keita. Fulham manager Chris Coleman made two alterations from the midweek defeat at Aston Villa by bringing in Jaroslav Drobny and Zesh Rehman for Scott Carson and Carlos Bocanegra.

On a mild Saturday afternoon in West London, referee Andre Marriner got this Premiership match underway. Fulham made a bright start to the game and almost took an early lead. Moritz Volz threw the ball to Steed Malbranque who instantly crossed into the area and Boa Morte’s snapshot was saved brilliantly by Friedel’s reflexes. And from the resulting corner, Boa Morte’s delivery was headed just inches wide of the goal by an unmarked Rehman. Minutes later, Fulham should have taken the lead. Niclas Jensen produced a wonderful ball from the halfway line for Collins John but his close range shot was blocked by the onrushing Friedel and the ball was cleared to safety. Fulham had started in a positive fashion and they capped off this start by taking the lead on 17 minutes. Malbranque went running on the right wing and his pull back found Claus Jensen on the edge of the box and although his first time effort was palmed away by Friedel, Boa Morte was first to react and tuck away the rebound. Blackburn had clearly not going yet and it took them until just before the halfhour before creating an opportunity. McEveley played a neat one-two with Denilson down the left and he sent in an inviting ball into the area where Freddy Guarin could only head inches over the crossbar. On 39 minutes, Blackburn should have levelled the match. Nelsen’s high ball was flicked on by Shefki Kuqi for Matt Jansen but his attempted chip went well over the crossbar, to his and Khan’s frustration. Two minutes of stoppage time later, the first half came to an end. Fulham lead by the odd goal at the break thanks to Boa Morte’s tap-in. The home side had a great, bright start to the first half but after the goal, Blackburn started to show their quality and had some decent opportunities to make sure that the second half will be very interesting to watch indeed. The halftime score from Craven Cottage was FULHAM 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0.

The second half was up and running at Craven Cottage as the travelling Blackburn fans were cheering their team on. And their team started very positively in the second half. Guarin and Steven Reid combined very well to set up Brett Emerton from 25 yards but his effort was badly struck and it went well wide of the goal. Minutes later, Blackburn really missed a sitter. Karl Svensson spread the ball to Denilson and his wonderful cross towards the near post was laid on a plate for Kuqi to tap home but his volley went into the sidenetting. On 65 minutes, Blackburn were really starting to the pressure on Fulham’s goal. Kuqi spread the ball out to Emerton on the right and when his cross came into the area, Jansen’s snapshot was too weak and too straight at Drobny and the chance was gone. Fulham almost landed a sucker punch on Blackburn midway through the second half. Malbranque played a slick one-two with Volz and when his ambitious effort came back off the crossbar, Claus Jensen put the easy tap-in well wide. And five minutes later, Fulham missed another opportunity to seal the three points. Substitutes Heidar Helguson and Emmanuel Ebiede combined and the former was through on goal but he could only sky the effort well over the crossbar. That proved the last opportunity of the match as the game petered out in the last 15 minutes. Blackburn were trying to put the Fulham goal under more pressure but the home side did well to deny Rovers any space. The final whistle went after three minutes of injury time. After a very even game, Fulham were hard fought winners. They started excellently, taking an early lead thanks to Boa Morte but Blackburn played well before the break. In the second half, Rovers had two great opportunities to equalise but could not take them and Fulham sealed the victory by finishing the game the stronger. The final score from Craven Cottage was FULHAM 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0.

Fulham : Drobny 7, Volz 7, N Jensen 7, Rehman 7, Knight 8, Pratley 7 (Timlin 80, 6), Diop 7, C Jensen 7, Malbranque 6 (Ebiede 71, 7), John 7 (Helguson 71, 7), Boa Morte 8.

Goals : Boa Morte (17)

Booked : N Jensen & Malbranque

Blackburn : Friedel 7, Neill 7, McEveley 7, Nelsen 6, Svensson 7, Emerton 6, Denilson 7 (Gasbarroni 71, 6), Guarin 7 (Keita 63, 6), Reid 7, Kuqi 6, Jansen 7 (Rossi 71, 6).

Booked : McEveley & Nelsen

Injured : Denilson (71)

Man of the Match : Luis Boa Morte – the explosive winger was troublesome for Blackburn with his runs and crossing. Also scored the all important only goal.

Attendance : 21422
Referee : Andre Marriner