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Thursday 19th October 2006

KHAN TIES SVENSSON DOWN FOR THE LONG-TERM FUTURE

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed this afternoon that commanding centre-back Karl Svensson has put pen to paper on new extended contract at Ewood Park. The Swede has signed a new 4 year contract worth an estimated £2,500,000 until the summer of 2010. He is believed to be getting improved wages of £12,750 every week for the duration of his new contract.

Svensson has declared himself delighted at signing a new extension on his contract as he has been desperate to get his long-term future sorted soon so he can concentrate on reproducing the consistency of performance that has seen him given the new deal.

Manager Faiz Khan has also stated that he is excited to see Svensson sign a new contract as he thinks he is a talented young player that can have a massive impact in the future. Khan only bought him last December but it is very clear how highly he rates his defender by securing his services for the next four years.

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Saturday 21st October 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

KUQI PROVES THE DIFFERENCE AGAIN
WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2

The excellent form keeps going for Blackburn. Blackburn did a professional job in defeating Wigan Athletic in the Premiership at the JJB Stadium this afternoon. A goal in each half from man of the moment Shefki Kuqi sealed the three points for Faiz Khan’s men. Wigan finished the game with 10 men as Baris Deniz was dismissed early in the second half. In truth, Blackburn just about the better of the chances and possession to warrant the victory. Khan made two changes from the memorable victory at Manchester United with Freddy Guarin and Giuseppe Rossi coming in for the injured Robbie Savage and Matt Jansen. Paul Jewell made three changes from the defeat at Aston Villa with Marko Ciurlizza, Jimmy Bullard and Scott Agnew making way for Daniel Braaten, Damien Francis and Antti Sumiala.

On a very warm but wet afternoon in Lancashire, referee Mark Clattenburg got the Premiership encounter up and running. The game struggled to get going early on as both sides were sliding into their tackles. Blackburn had a good opening on 18 minutes. Guarin sent Kuqi through on goal but he was denied by a brilliant tackle from Baris Deniz and when the ball fell for Rossi to hit first time, Deniz was there again with a fantastic block and the ball was cleared to safety. Wigan took a while to threaten the visitors and they almost took the lead midway through the first half. Ryan Nelsen was penalised for backing into Francis and Leighton Baines stepped up from 25 yards but his direct freekick was caught superbly in mid-air by Peter Enckleman. Just before the halfhour, Blackburn made the all-important breakthrough. Rossi sent Andrea Gasbarroni away down the right wing and into the area until he brought down by Brede Paulsen Hangeland and the referee consulted his linesman before awarding the penalty. Shefki Kuqi stepped up and converted the spot-kick to Rafael Edgar Dudamel’s left. A couple of minutes later, Rovers should have added a quick second. A long throw from Michael Gray sent Kuqi storming towards goal and he squared the ball to Rossi for an easy tap-in but his close range effort was well tipped wide by Dudamel. A minute later, Wigan were very close to levelling the match. A bright passage of play involving Baines, David Fernandez and Francis teed up Ian Black from the edge of the area but Enckleman produced a stunning fingertip save and the ball was cleared to safety. Wigan should have equalised before the interval. Sumiala sent Fernandez away towards goal and he crossed to the far post where Sumiala took one touch before smashing the ball straight at the body of Enckleman and the danger was averted. The halftime went three minutes of injury time later. Blackburn hold a slender lead at the break thanks to Kuqi’s cool penalty. After the goal, Wigan began to pile on the pressure on Rovers’ goal but they were repelled twice brilliantly by Enckleman. The halftime score at the JJB Stadium was WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

The second half got up and running at a loud JJB Stadium as Wigan looked to build on their dominance before the break. And they almost made their pressure count on 50 minutes. A throw from Baines was flicked on by Sumiala into the path of Francis on the edge of the area but his fierce effort was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Enckleman. But the home side were feeling the pressure as they were reduced to 10 men. Nelsen’s high ball put Rossi clear on goal and he was pulled back by Deniz and the referee had no alternative but to brandish the red card. From the freekick, Gasbarroni sent fierce effort just inches over the crossbar. Halfway through the second half, Blackburn made the extra man count as they extended their lead. A high ball from substitute Aaron Mokoena was flicked on by Kuqi to send Seydou Keita and although the Mali international saw his effort beaten away by Dudamel, Kuqi was on hand to fire home the rebound – his 10th goal of the season and really enjoying himself! On 77 minutes, Black combined really well with Daniel Braaten before teeing Sumiala from inside the area but Enckleman easily smothered the shot. Just before fulltime, Blackburn were so close to adding a third goal. Kuqi was pushed by Baines from 30 yards out and Keita stepped up with the direct freekick and the fierce shot cracked the outside of the post and out for a goal kick for fortunate Wigan. The final whistle went moments later at a despondent JJB Stadium. Blackburn came through with a hard fought two goal victory. The game started very scrappily until Blackburn took the lead before the halfhour but Wigan began to dominant the game until the break. After the break, Wigan were reduced to 10 men and Rovers took advantage of that by securing the three points thanks to Kuqi’s 10th goal of the season. The final score from the JJB was WIGAN ATHLETIC 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2.

Wigan : Dudamel 6, Parkhurst 6, Baines 7, Hangeland 5, Deniz 6, Karwan 7 (Pressley 55, 5), Braaten 6, Francis 7, Black 7, Sumiala 7 (Delgado 78, 7), Fernandez 6 (Bullard 66, 6).

Sent Off : Deniz (55)

Blackburn : Enckleman 8, Neill 7 (Reid 61, 7), Gray 7, Nelsen 8, Svensson 7 (Mokoena 45, 7), Gasbarroni 8, Pedersen 8, Guarin 8, Keita 7, Kuqi 9, Rossi 7 (Bellamy 61, 7).

Goals : Kuqi (28, 66)

Booked : Guarin

Man of the Match : Shefki Kuqi – the powerful striker is on fire at the moment as his two cool finishes helped his side to three points. His muscle in the air gave Wigan all sorts of problems and his second goal marked his 10th of the season. The fairytale continues for the Finnish international.

Attendance : 17982
Referee : Mark Clattenburg

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Monday 23rd October 2006

SUPER KUQI KEEPS GOING

Following his well taken brace in the victory at Wigan this weekend, Shefki Kuqi was selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Sander Westerveld (Portsmouth)

Barry Fuller (Charlton)
Carl Medjani (Liverpool)
Zat Knight (Fulham)
Niclas Jensen (Fulham)

Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal)
Niko Kranjcar (Bolton)
Benedict Vilakazi (Fulham)
Seol Ki-Hyeon (Wolves)

Shefki Kuqi (Blackburn)
Collins John (Fulham)

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Wednesday 25th October 2006

NEILL CROCKED ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY

Blackburn Rovers manager Faiz Khan has just been confirmed from the Australia national coach Guus Hiddink that strong full-back Lucas Neill has been injured on international duty. Neill suffered a damaged foot when jumping for a header in Australia's qualifier against Nepal. The injury is scheduled to keep Neill out of action for the next 4 weeks at the most.

Khan has bemoaned his side's luck with injuries and is very disappointed at what has happened. Neill has declared that he is trying very hard to get back from injury very soon and that attitude will please his club manager very much. His first team place should be tkane by summer signing Juan Manuel Ortiz at right-back.

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Wednesday 25th October 2006

CARLING CUP 3RD ROUND

DOMINANT ROVERS CRUISE PAST WREXHAM
BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 WREXHAM 0

No troubles here then. Blackburn Rovers were totally comfortable in getting past Wrexham in the Carling Cup 3rd Round at Ewood Park tonight. The home side controlled the first half and an opportunist goal from Paul Gallagher before the break eased Blackburn nerves. Wrexham were reduced to 10 men late in the second half and Blackburn took full advantage by scoring two late goals from substitutes Shefki Kuqi and Seydou Keita. Blackburn were simply too good for the League One side as they peppered the away goal with countless efforts on goal. Faiz Khan made many changes from the side that beat Wigan with only Karl Svensson and Giuseppe Rossi holding onto their places from the weekend. Wrexham boss Denis Smith named an unchanged side that crushed Bournemouth a fortnight ago.

On a very cold and wet evening at Ewood Park, referee Graham Salisbury got the Carling Cup tie underway. Blackburn made a good start to the match and missed the opportunity to take the lead inside 2 minutes. James McEveley spread the ball out to Juan Manuel Ortiz on the right wing and he crossed towards the near post where Rossi’s header was tipped over the crossbar by Michael Ingham. Five minutes later, Matt Jansen sent Denilson bursting down the left and his cross was met by Gallagher’s glancing only for Ingham to beat it away and the ball was cleared to safety. On 15 minutes, Wrexham almost snatched a shock lead. Michael Duff played the ball out to Lilian Nalis on the left wing and he crossed to an unmarked Kevin Smith but his header went wide off the outside of the far post. Blackburn started to turn the heat on Wrexham’s goal before the halfhour. Svensson spread the ball out to Ortiz and he crossed to the near post where Aaron Mokoena’s fierce header was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Ingham. Blackburn were starting to get frustrated with the inspired goalkeeping of Ingham but on 44 minutes, they found a way past him, albeit fortunately. Jansen was chasing a long ball and when Duff played the ball back to the keeper, Gallagher stole in and lashed the ball into the roof of the net. The halftime whistle went two minutes later. Blackburn have totally controlled this first half but could have fallen behind on the halfhour but they got away with it. They capped of their dominant first half display with a goal just before the interval. The halftime score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 WREXHAM 0.

The second half got underway as the rain had stopped at the interval at a near empty Ewood Park. Blackburn almost added a second goal on 52 minutes. Denilson played a low pass from a freekick into the path of Rossi but his fierce effort went just inches over the crossbar. A minute later, Denilson swung in a freekick towards the near post where Gallagher back header went crashing into the sidenetting. The second half then descended into a scrappy, midfield battle in the middle of the park. Both sides went flying into several 50-50 tackles with Rovers winning the majority. Blackburn were also teasing the Wrexham players by simply keeping the ball and showing off their skills. With just 8 minutes remaining, Blackburn secured their passage into the next round. Gonzalo Sorondo sent substitute Kuqi through on goal only to be brought down by Paul Robinson and the referee brandished a red card as well as pointing to the spot. Kuqi picked himself up and converted the penalty low to Ingham’s right. And five minutes later, Blackburn put the icing on the cake with a third goal. Substitute Andy Holt pushed Kuqi on the edge of the area and substitute Keita stepped up and placed his freekick into the top corner at Ingham’s near post. That proved to be the last action of the game as the referee blew for fulltime. Blackburn were safely through to the 4th Round of the Carling Cup after a victory here tonight. They started very well and capped off their good display by taking a halftime lead. In the second half, it was more of the same and they clinched their passage to the next round with late goals from Kuqi and Keita. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 WREXHAM 0.

Blackburn : Lee, Ortiz 8, McEveley 8, Svensson 8, Sorondo 8, Reid 7 (Guarin 63, 7), Denilson 7 (Keita 63, 7), Mokoena 8, Rossi 6 (Kuqi 72, 7), Gallagher 8, Jansen 7.

Goals : Gallagher (44), Kuqi (83), Keita (88)

Wrexham : Ingham 6, Robinson 5, Carlisle 6, Duff 6 (Walters 70, 6), Roche 7, Nalis 6, Jones 7, Doyle 7, Ferguson 7 (Holt 45, 6), Smith 7 (Crowell 70, 6), McEvilly 6.

Booked : Roche

Sent Off : Robinson (82)

Man of the Match : Juan Manuel Ortiz – the Spanish full-back was fantastic for Blackburn tonight as he gave a confident display at the back and he rarely got beaten to the ball. His best game in a Blackburn shirt so far!

Attendance : 10073
Referee : Graham Salisbury

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Sunday 29th October 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

RESILIENT ROVERS BATTLE TO VICTORY
BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 CRYSTAL PALACE 1

A hard fought win or what? Blackburn Rovers extended their Premiership unbeaten run to eight games with a hard fought win against Crystal Palace at Ewood Park this afternoon. Giuseppe Rossi gave Rovers an early lead before Andy Johnson levelled before the break. Early in second half, Rossi grabbed his and Blackburn’s second goal and although Palace came close to levelling the match again, substitute Brett Emerton’s 1st goal of the season secured the three points for Blackburn. Faiz Khan made just one change from the victory at Wigan with the injured Lucas Neill replaced by Juan Manuel Ortiz. Palace gaffer Iain Dowie made three changes to the side that drew with Aston Villa with Emmerson Boyce, Perparim Hetemaj and Tom Soares coming in for Danny Butterfield, Espen Sogard and Clinton Morrison.

On a dry but very cold Sunday lunchtime at Ewood Park, referee Peter Walton got the Premiership match underway. In the first minute, Palace had a great opportunity to take the lead. Hetemaj sent Danny Granville speeding down the left flank and his low cross found Johnson through on goal but his firm shot was pushed away by Peter Enckleman. Five minutes later, Shane Paul gave the ball to Johnson who went on a run at Karl Svensson and unleashed a fierce strike from 25 yards which flew just inches over the crossbar. A minute later, Blackburn made their first opportunity of the game. Seydou Keita played a great freekick into a crowded area where Morten Gamst Pedersen rose highest to head firmly just inches wide of the goal. On 13 minutes, Blackburn followed up that attack with the opening goal. A high ball from Ryan Nelsen was flicked on by Shefki Kuqi into the path of Keita who played Rossi clear on goal and the little Italian stroked the ball home into the far corner. Palace almost hit back a minute after the goal. Ben Watson played a nice one-two with Granville and he lashed a low effort into the sidenetting. A minute later, Palace should have levelled the match. Andrea Gasbarroni caught dallying on the ball by Watson and his instant cross to the near post was headed wide by Johnson. Blackburn were really struggling to resist the away side’s attacks but they almost found an undeserved a second goal on the halfhour. Keita went past Watson and Soares in the middle before releasing Kuqi through on goal but the Finn was stopped by a last ditch tackle from Boyce and the ball was gone. Palace grabbed a deserved equaliser six minutes before the break. Granville and Watson combined superbly to set up Stephen Pearson from 25 yards out and his shot was deflected into the air for Johnson to head downwards past Enckleman. Three minutes of stoppage time came and went as the halftime whistle went at Ewood Park. The game is level at one goal apiece after an entertaining first 45 minutes. Blackburn survived an early storm to take the lead after 13 minutes but Palace came back into the match, dominating for the remainder of the first half and were rewarded by Johnson’s header on 39 minutes. The halftime score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 1.

The second half got underway at a very wet Ewood Park as both sides were looking to win the match. And it was the home side Blackburn that made the first vital move by retaking the lead. Svensson’s high ball was flicked on by Kuqi and when the ball dropped, Rossi showed real class by sweeping the ball on the volley into the far corner. Just after the hour, Blackburn almost added a third goal. Freddy Guarin bent a great ball to the far post where substitute Emerton met it firmly but his header went wide off the outside of the far post. A minute later, Palace missed a fantastic opportunity to equalise for the second time. Johnson stole the ball from Svensson and he played the ball to Watson who sent substitute Morrison in on goal but he stabbed his effort well wide from 6 yards. With just six minutes remaining, Rossi almost grabbed a memorable hat-trick. Guarin sent a wonderful freekick into the near post but Rossi’s glancing header was tipped away by Robert Green and the ball was cleared to safety. Emerton made no mistake three minutes from time. Pedersen went past Zander Diamond and stormed towards the penalty area and he fizzed the ball invitingly across the box where Emerton slid the ball past Green to score his 1st goal of the season. The fulltime whistle went minutes later at Ewood Park. Blackburn have won a very close match thanks to composed finishing. They started well scoring an early goal but Palace dominated the first half and pegged the home side back just before the interval. After the break, Blackburn started very well and were rewarded with Rossi’s second goal. Palace tried manfully to get the second equaliser but they were finished off late in the game from Emerton’s close range strike. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 CRYSTAL PALACE 1.

Blackburn : Enckleman 7, Ortiz 8, Gray 7, Nelsen 7, Svensson 6 (Mokoena 74, 7), Gasbarroni 6 (Emerton 62, 7), Pedersen 8, Guarin 7, Keita 7, Kuqi 7 (Reid 74, 6), Rossi 8.

Goals : Rossi (13, 53), Emerton (87)

Booked : Svensson

Crystal Palace : Green 6, Leacock 7, Granville 8 (Morrison 61, 6), Boyce 7, Diamond 7, Hetemaj 7 (McAnuff 72, 6), Watson 7, Soares 7, Paul 7, Johnson 7, Pearson 7 (Butterfield 72, 7).

Goals : Johnson (39)

Booked : Soares

Man of the Match : Giuseppe Rossi – the little Italian finally started playing like a great young talent as his two coolly taken finishes went a long way to earning Blackburn’s victory. Faiz Khan will be hoping that there is more to come!

Attendance : 23068
Referee : Peter Walton

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Tuesday 31st October 2006 - Premiership Table


1st - Arsenal - 23
2nd - Liverpool - 23
3rd - Everton - 22
4th - Man Utd - 22
5th - Middlesbrough - 22
6th - Blackburn - 22
7th - Chelsea - 21
8th - Bolton - 20
9th - Wolves - 17
10th - Man City - 16
11th - Charlton - 16
12th - Fulham - 14
13th - Aston Villa - 14
14th - Tottenham - 13
15th - Ipswich - 13
16th - Birmingham - 11
17th - Portsmouth - 11
18th - Newcastle - 9
19th - Crystal Palace - 8
20th - Wigan - 4

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Wednesday 1st November 2006

MONTHLY AWARDS FOR OCTOBER

The Barclays Premiership Player of the Month was Blackburn's winger Morten Gamst Pedersen as his fantastic dribbling displays has helped Blackburn into the top six this month. His performances also saw him lay on the winning goal at Old Trafford and another assist against Crystal Palace.

The Barclays Premiership Young Player of the Month was Manchester United's winger Cristiano Ronaldo as his breathtaking performances has helped the defending champions get going in their Premiership defence. His displays have seen him score once and create a goal for a team-mate.

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month was Arsenal's Arsene Wenger as he has guided his players to three wins in four league games. This good form has seen Arsenal rocket to the top of the Premiership table on goal difference. Incidently, Blackburn boss Faiz Khan came second in this month.

The Barclays Premiership Goal of the Month was Collins Mbesuma's rocket shot against Birmingham. Bjorn Dahl played the ball to the Zambia international and he struck the ball into the top corner from all of 35 yards out. Unfortunately, the goal was not enough to get anything from the game as Portsmouth were beaten.

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Saturday 4th November 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

DOMINANT CHELSEA END ROVERS RUN
CHELSEA 2 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1

Well it had to end somewhere. Chelsea were always in control when defeating Blackburn Rovers in the Premiership at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. Quick fire early in the second half from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard helped the West Londoners bring the visitors’ two and a half month unbeaten run to an end. Giuseppe Rossi had given Rovers the lead after the halfhour and would have been two up if Freddy Guarin had converted a penalty six minutes later. In truth though, Chelsea did deserve to get the three points as they battered Blackburn in both possession and shots on goal. Faiz Khan made two changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace with the returning Brad Friedel and Craig Bellamy replacing Peter Enckleman and Shefki Kuqi. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho didn’t make any changes to the team that won at Aston Villa.

On a dry and cool Saturday afternoon in West London, referee Mike Dean got the Premiership match underway. Chelsea got into their stride early on and should have taken the lead. Arjen Robben played a slick one-two with Hernan Crespo before playing Lampard through on goal but his low effort was superbly kept out by Friedel. And from the resulting corner, Lampard was denied for the second time by a great block from Friedel. Blackburn made their first opportunity after 7 minutes. Bellamy laid the ball off to Rossi who went on a good run committing two defenders before clipping the ball over for Bellamy to strike home but Petr Cech rushed out to block the close range volley. After 15 minutes, Paulo Ferreira sent Drogba running down the right flank and when he crossed towards the far post, Friedel stretched his fingertips out to divert the ball away. Midway through the first half, Chelsea almost took the lead. A Juan Manuel Ortiz throw was headed back by Ricardo Carvalho and Crespo took one touch before unleashing a thunderous shot from 30 yards out but Friedel was more than equal to it with an outstanding save. Just after the halfhour, having survived early Chelsea pressure, Blackburn took a shock lead. Ortiz sent Andrea Gasbarroni bursting down the right wing and he got to the byline before crossing to the near post where Rossi met in the volley and it flew past Cech before the keeper could even move. Six minutes later and Blackburn should have extended their lead. Seydou Keita sent Gasbarroni running away on the right and got into the area before Carvalho brought him crashing down and the referee pointed to the spot. There was no Shefki Kuqi to take the penalty so Guarin stepped up from 12 yards only to hit the ball straight at Cech and the chance was gone – Cech’s clenched fist celebration showed what that meant! Rovers were really starting to be more comfortable and went doubly close to scoring a second goal. Guarin played a one-two with Bellamy before teeing up Keita from 20 yards and when the firm effort was beaten out by Cech, Rossi somehow missed the target from 6 yards out. Just before halftime, John Terry was penalised for a foul on Bellamy on the edge of the area and Gasbarroni stepped up with the freekick but it flew into the sidenetting. The halftime whistle went moments later. Chelsea had started the first half very brightly and forced Friedel into some excellent stops but Blackburn stunned the home side by taking the lead. After that, Blackburn missed a penalty and the momentum soon switched to them as they bossed the rest of the half. The halftime score from Stamford Bridge was CHELSEA 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

Before the second half got up and running, Chelsea players were already warming up no doubt on the back of a tongue lashing by Jose Mourinho. The second half was underway at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea levelled the match in the first minute of the half. Ferreira came forward down the right and passed to Drogba who sped past Michael Gray and lashed the ball high past Friedel into the roof of the net. A great response from Chelsea and it got better three minutes later as they took the lead. Drogba went running at Karl Svensson and played the ball through for Shaun Wright-Phillips who cut the ball back for Lampard to smash it from 20 yards out past Friedel into the roof of the net – his 5th goal of the season and what a strike! On 55 minutes, Chelsea were threatening to run riot as they almost added a third goal in 10 minutes. Claude Makelele and Wright-Phillips combined to tee up Drogba from 25 yards out but his fierce shot was brilliantly kept out by Friedel. A couple of minutes later, Blackburn finally came into the second half and could have equalised. Substitute Steven Reid found Ortiz and his instant low cross was struck first time by Rossi but the low effort went just inches wide of the goal. Just after the hour, Rovers went close again this time when Guarin placed a good freekick from 25 yards out just inches wide of the goal. Halfway through the second half, Chelsea almost finished the match off. Morten Gamst Pedersen poorly directed pass sent Drogba clear on goal but his first time effort was tipped away excellently by Friedel’s fingertips. On 78 minutes, Friedel was busy once again. Robben exchanged passes with Wright-Phillips before teeing up Lampard from 30 yards and his firm effort was superbly beaten away by Friedel. Just before fulltime, Blackburn had one last shot at goal. A high ball from Ryan Nelsen was flicked on by substitute Kuqi into the path of Guarin but the Columbian’s first time shot was just inches over the crossbar. The final whistle went after two minutes of stoppage time. Chelsea have just about done enough to secure the three points. They started very well, creating a few decent opportunities but they were shocked just after the halfhour when Rovers took the lead. Blackburn then missed a penalty opportunity and controlled the rest of the first half. Straight after the break, Chelsea turned the game on its head with two quickfire goals and they did just about enough in the second period to hold for the victory. The final score from Stamford Bridge was CHELSEA 2 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

Chelsea : Cech 7, Ferreira 7, Gallas 7, Terry 7, Carvalho 8, Wright-Phillips 8, Robben 7, Lampard 8, Cambiasso 7, Drogba 9, Crespo 7 (Makelele 54, 7).

Goals : Drogba (46), Lampard (49)

Booked : Terry, Crespo & Makelele

Blackburn : Friedel 9, Ortiz 7, Gray 6, Nelsen 7, Svensson 7, Gasbarroni 7 (Reid 54, 7), Pedersen 6, Guarin 7, Keita 6, Bellamy 6 (Kuqi 54, 6), Rossi 7.

Goals : Rossi (31)

Missed Penalty : Guarin (37)

Injured : Bellamy (54)

Man of the Match : Didier Drogba – the powerful striker was instrumental in Chelsea’s victory this afternoon as his goal after halftime gave his team-mates the momentum to grab the second goal. He also had a hand in the second goal.

Attendance : 42479
Referee : Mike Dean

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Saturday 4th November 2006

BELLAMY INJURED YET AGAIN

Well it did not look good. Faiz Khan must be wondering whether he is ever going to see the best of Craig Bellamy after learning of his latest injury setback. It has been confirmed from the club tonight that Bellamy suffered a fractured arm after an innocuous fall during the Premiership defeat at Chelsea. The injury is likely to keep the Wales international for a month at the most.

This has hit Bellamy hard and he is very frustrated with how his career at Blackburn has been so far and it has not been good, due to persistent injuries. Khan will be desperately hoping that his fast forward will come back and go on a consistent run of matches and probably goals.