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Saturday 16th December 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

HONOURS EVEN IN MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER CITY 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1

Fair result here then. In a very entertaining match here at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers played out a 1-1 draw in the Premiership this afternoon. Blackburn took the lead just before halftime through Steven Reid but City hit back after the break due to a Karl Svensson own goal. In all fairness, this was the right result in the end as both sides created opportunities with City enjoying the small advantage of possession. Faiz Khan made four changes from the side that drew with Tottenham by bringing in Juan Manuel Ortiz, Brett Emerton, Reid and Matt Jansen to replace Lucas Neill, injured Andrea Gasbarroni, Seydou Keita and Giuseppe Rossi. City boss Claudio Ranieri made just the one alteration from the win at Aston Villa by replacing top scorer Darius Vassell with Roman Bednar.

On a very cold and wet afternoon in Eastlands, referee Phil Dowd got the Premiership match underway. City were very bright starting the match and should have taken an early lead. Richard Dunne sent Bednar away on the right and he crossed into the area where Louis Saha’s towering header went just inches wide of the goal. A minute later, a Sylvain Distin ball was flicked on by Saha to put Bednar clear on goal but the Czech blasted his shot over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Blackburn made their first opportunity of the game. Ryan Nelsen and Ortiz exchanged passes before the latter teed up Emerton from 30 yards out but his effort went yards wide of the far post. On 13 minutes, Blackburn should have had the lead. Ortiz’s throw sent Emerton down the right wing and his pinpoint cross was met by a firm Reid header that David James kept out brilliantly and the ball was cleared to safety. Midway through the first half, City almost made the breakthrough. On a counter-attack, Saha ran purposely at the Blackburn defence before squaring the ball to Christian Scarlato from 25 yards out but his shot trickled inches wide of the goal. On 36 minutes, a fine sweeping one touch passage of play involving Michael Gray, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Reid teed up Freddy Guarin from 20 yards out but his shot wasn’t troubling James as it went miles wide. In first half stoppage time, Blackburn ended a very even half by taking the lead. A high ball from Gray was flicked on by Shefki Kuqi into the path of Pedersen and he crossed towards the near post where Reid headed firmly into the roof of the net. The halftime whistle went straight after the goal. That goal just before the break put Blackburn narrowly in the ascendancy. City started very well and should have taken the lead at least twice but Blackburn hit back with fantastic opportunities of their own and snatched a great first goal just before the break. The halftime score from the City of Manchester Stadium was MANCHESTER CITY 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

The second half got underway in Manchester as the home side were looking to bounce back from that injury time setback. And they did just that as they levelled the match on 47 minutes, albeit fortunately. Ortiz was harshly penalised for a push on substitute Vassell. Juanfran sent the freekick into the area where Nelsen flicked the ball onto the head of Svensson and the Swede’s touch was too strong as it nestled in the back of the net. Five minutes later, City almost took the lead. Juanfran played a nice one-two with Matthew Etherington before crossing to the near post where Saha’s glancing header went just inches over the crossbar. Just before the hour, City were starting to really crank up the pressure. A David James clearance was flicked on by Saha to send Vassell clean through on goal but his fierce effort was tipped over superbly by Peter Enckleman. Midway through the second half, City were getting frustrated over their wastefulness in front of goal. Scarlato and Etherington combined to send Vassell one on one with the keeper but he blasted his shot well over the crossbar with Enckleman quick to close him down. On 79 minutes, Juanfran sent a freekick into the area to an unmarked Willo Flood and he struck his first time volley against the foot of the far post and the ball was cleared to safety. That was the last opportunity to see a winner as the final whistle went after three minutes of injury time. Manchester City and Blackburn had played out a pulsating draw at the City of Manchester Stadium. City started really brightly and could have broken the deadlock but Blackburn started to control the first half and thoroughly deserved their halftime lead. Straight after the break, City levelled the match through an unlucky Svensson own goal and City went on to totally dominate the second half but they found Peter Enckleman in inspiring form and couldn’t find a way past him. And when they did, the woodwork came to Rovers’ rescue. The final score from the City of Manchester Stadium was MANCHESTER CITY 1 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

Man City : James 6, Alvarez 7, Juanfran 7, Dunne 7, Distin 7, Flood 7, Etherington 7 (Boutahar 73, 6), Barreto 7, Scarlato 7 (Richards 73, 7), Bednar 6 (Vassell 45, 7), Saha 7.

Goals : Svensson og (47)

Booked : Distin

Blackburn : Enckleman 8, Ortiz 7 (Mokoena 71, 7), Gray 7, Nelsen 7, Svensson 7, Emerton 7 (Keita 71, 6), Pedersen 7, Guarin 7, Reid 7, Kuqi 6 (Bellamy 62, 6), Jansen 7.

Goals : Reid (45)

Booked : Nelsen

Man of the Match : Peter Enckleman – was the difference between a priceless point and a heavy defeat for Blackburn this afternoon. His inspiring goalkeeping, especially in the second half was a credit to his desire to extend his contract beyond this season.

Attendance : 47957
Referee : Phil Dowd

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Monday 18th December 2006

ENCKLEMAN PERFORMANCE EARNS HIM PLACE IN TEAM

Following his man of the match display in the draw at Manchester City, Peter Enckleman was selected in the Premiership Team of the Week. The team is as follows:

Peter Enckleman (Blackburn)

Tony Hibbert (Everton)
Zat Knight (Fulham)
John Terry (Chelsea)
John Arne Riise (Liverpool)

Steed Malbranque (Fulham)
Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
Stephen Pearson (Crystal Palace)
Harry Kewell (Liverpool)

Andy Johnson (Crystal Palace)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal)

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Wednesday 20th December 2006

CARLING CUP QUARTER FINAL

CLINICAL ROVERS CRUSH SPURS
BLACKBURN ROVERS 4 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1

Composure in front of goal is the key my friend. Blackburn Rovers pulled off arguably the biggest result in Faiz Khan’s reign by beating Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup Quarter Final at Ewood Park tonight. The visitors actually took the lead through Wayne Routledge’s breakaway goal but Blackburn hit back thanks to two quick goals from Robbie Savage and Giuseppe Rossi. After the break, Rovers had the victory in the bag thanks to Savage’s second and substitute Craig Bellamy’s 1st goal of a troubled season. It was a very even match to be honest but it was Blackburn’s far better composure in front of goal that made all the difference. Both Khan and Martin Jol named strong teams for this quarter final.

On a very cold evening at Ewood Park, referee Kevin Wright got this Carling Cup tie underway. Blackburn made a bright start and could have scored after just 5 minutes. Tom Huddlestone poorly cleared a cross and Brett Emerton set up Shefki Kuqi from 12 yards out but his snapshot flashed inches wide of the goal. Two minutes later, Emerton played a nice one-two with Savage before crossing towards the near post where Rossi’s glancing header went just wide. Tottenham had been slow out of the blocks but they still snatched an early lead. On the counter-attack, Mauro Esposito went storming towards goal and his deflected cross to the far post was tucked away by Routledge. Spurs almost extended their lead on 17 minutes. Lucas Neill was held up for bringing down Jermain Defoe and Edgar Davids stepped up from 25 yards out but his shot was easily smothered by Peter Enckleman. A minute later, Spurs had a great opportunity to grab a second goal. Defoe went bursting down the left flank and crossed low for Robbie Keane who met the ball first time only for Enckleman to superbly beat the ball away. Halfway through the first half, Rovers made their early pressure count as they levelled the match. Neill sent Rossi down the right wing and he crossed for Seydou Keita to tap home and although Paul Robinson stopped that shot, he couldn’t do anything about Savage’s follow-up into the far corner. And on the halfhour, Blackburn had turned this tie on its head. Neill sent Kuqi through on goal but instead of shooting, the Finnish international squared the ball for Rossi to slam the ball into the roof of the net. On 38 minutes, Kuqi sent Morten Gamst Pedersen away on the left and he crossed towards the near post where Keita’s first time effort was caught very well by Robinson. Five minutes before halftime, Savage played a corner out to Pedersen on the edge of the area who volleyed towards goal but Robinson superbly tipped it over the crossbar. The halftime whistle went after two minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn have the narrow lead thanks to Savage and Rossi. They started really well only to fall behind to Routledge’s counter-attack goal. But Blackburn hit back by turning this tie upside down in seven minutes and went on to dominate the rest of the first half. The halftime score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1.

The second half was underway as Ewood Park enjoyed a big attendance for the first time this season in this competition. Tottenham started the second half determined to get back into this match. Sean Davis gave Keane the ball who played a slick one-two with Defoe but his attempted chip was tipped over expertly by Enckleman. Two minutes later, Blackburn came into the second half. A nice one touch passing move involving Pedersen, Kuqi and substitute Bellamy teed up Savage from 30 yards out but his effort went flashing just inches wide of the goal. And a couple of minutes later, Blackburn took a massive stride towards the semi finals. On the counter-attack, Emerton sent Bellamy away on goal who squared the ball to Kuqi and although the Finn hit the ball at Robinson, Bellamy was on hand to force home the rebound – his 1st goal of the season and what a time and place to get it! Tottenham almost hit back immediately after the restart. Defoe spread the ball out to Routledge and he crossed for Defoe at the near post but Enckleman was there to deny him at his feet. Just past the hour, Blackburn put themselves out of sight totally. Neill sent Emerton away down the right and he got into the area before being brought down by Huddlestone. Savage stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick high to Robinson’s left. Midway through the second half, Spurs should have got a goal back. Davis and Davids combined to send Defoe and although he was stopped by Karl Svensson, Keane was there to blast the ball well wide of the mark. On 74 minutes, Spurs realised that it wasn’t to be their night. Substitute Andy Reid exchanged passes with Johnnie Jackson before sending an inviting ball into the area where fellow substitute Aaron Lennon’s snapshot was superbly blocked by Enckleman. That was to be the last action of the night as the final whistle went after three minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn have ruthlessly dispatched Tottenham tonight to advance to the semi-finals. The home side began the game very well but were stung by an early Spurs counter-attack. Blackburn hit back though halfway through the first half through two quick Savage and Rossi goals and went on to control the rest of the half. After the break, Blackburn carried on where they left by scoring a further two goals before the hour. Only then did Spurs begin to come into this match but they were denied brilliantly by Enckleman. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 4 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1.

Blackburn : Enckleman 9, Neill 8, McEveley 8, Nelsen 9, Svensson 9, Emerton 8, Pedersen 8 (Reid 74, 6), Savage 8 (Guarin 74, 6), Keita 8, Kuqi 8, Rossi 8 (Bellamy 45, 7).

Goals : Savage (24, 63), Rossi (30), Bellamy (53)

Tottenham : Robinson 6, Trabelsi 6 (Kelly 80, 7), Jackson 6, Huddlestone 6, Dawson 6, Davis 7, Davids 7 (Reid 73, 7), Routledge 7, Esposito 7 (Lennon 73, 7), Defoe 7, Keane 7.

Goals : Routledge (10)

Booked : Huddlestone

Man of the Match : Ryan Nelsen – although it was the strikers that won the game, the commanding centre-back stood out after playing superbly and looked totally comfortable when in possession with the ball.

Attendance : 30120
Referee : Kevin Wright

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Saturday 23rd December 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

SUPERB JANSEN TREBLE STUNS LIVERPOOL IN THRILLER
BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 LIVERPOOL 2

What a game and what a stunning result! Blackburn Rovers showed exactly how far they have come under Faiz Khan after beating Liverpool in a thriller in the Premiership at Ewood Park this afternoon. A wonderful hat-trick from Matt Jansen won a valuable three points for Blackburn. Liverpool twice equalised through strikes from Djibril Cisse and Xabi Alonso before Jansen’s heroics. It was a breathtaking and entertaining advert for English Football as Rovers edged out their opponents in both shots and possession. Khan named an unchanged side from the draw at Manchester City while Liverpool gaffer Carlos Bianchi brought Mohamed Sissoko in to replace wantaway winger Harry Kewell.

On a bright but very cold pre-Christmas afternoon in Blackburn, referee Matt Messias got the Premiership encounter underway. Straight from the kick off, Liverpool almost took an early lead. A slick one touch passage of play involving Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Alonso and Bruno Cheyrou teed up Luis Garcia from 20 yards but his effort curled just over the crossbar. Blackburn made their first opportunity on 8 minutes and took it beautifully. Freddy Guarin and Steven Reid combined to send Shefki Kuqi clear on goal and the Finn showed great awareness by squaring for Jansen to chip the ball over the onrushing Jose Manuel Reina and into the back of the net. A minute later, Liverpool almost hit back with an equaliser. Alonso and Garcia worked to force the ball through for Cisse to finish off but the Frenchman was stopped superbly by Peter Enckleman. On 17 minutes, Liverpool grabbed a deserved equaliser, albeit fortunately. A poor pass from Brett Emerton was intercepted by Garcia who sent Cisse through on goal and he waited for Enckleman before slipping the ball underneath the keeper’s body. Rovers almost took the lead from the restart. Morten Gamst Pedersen went running down the left before crossing low to the near post where Guarin first time snapshot flew just inches wide of the far post. Just after the halfhour, Blackburn defied the odds by taking the lead for the second time this afternoon. Jansen spread the ball out to Pedersen on the left and he crossed for Kuqi who squared for Jansen to tuck the ball away into the far corner. But Liverpool showed their resilience once again by levelling before the break. A Enckleman goal kick was headed back by Carl Medjani and Garcia teed up Alonso from 30 yards out and he struck the ball as sweetly as you get into the top corner past a helpless Enckleman. From the restart, Kuqi went storming at the Liverpool defence before smashing the effort just inches over the crossbar. The halftime whistle went moments later to end a pulsating first period. Blackburn made the perfect start after 8 minutes but they were pegged back by Cisse’s opportunist strike. Rovers then began to control the half and took the lead ten minutes before halftime but they were pegged back again thanks to Alonso’s stunner. The halftime score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 LIVERPOOL 2.

The atmosphere was electrifying inside the stadium and were hoping for a repeat of the first half. Anyway, the second half started with a fantastic opportunity for Liverpool. Sissoko spread the ball out to Sinama-Pongolle on the left and he found Garcia at the near post only for Enckleman to beat his flicked effort away and to safety. The match then had a very quiet spell like most matches do as both sides went scrapping for possession of the ball in the middle of the park. Liverpool were dominating possession but Rovers were defending resolutely and not giving any opportunities away. On 72 minutes, Liverpool should have taken the lead. John Arne Riise spread the ball to substitute Fernando Morientes on the left and he crossed towards the near post where an unmarked Garcia headed over the crossbar from 6 yards out. Ten minutes later, Sissoko and Garcia combined to send Morientes through on goal but the Spaniard could only drag his effort inches wide of the goal. A couple of minutes later, Blackburn shocked Liverpool by taking the lead once again. A scrambled clearance was flicked on by Reid into the path of Kuqi on the right and the Finn got to the byline before pulling the ball back for Jansen to sweep the ball past Reina into the far corner for his hat-trick goal. That proved to be the last action of the match as the goal took the wind out of Liverpool’s sails. The final whistle sounded after four long minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn have won a smashing Premiership match against all the odds thanks to Jansen’s late hat-trick goal. The home side started very well, taking an early lead but Cisse levelled things up minutes later. Towards the interval, Jansen grabbed his and Rovers’ second goal but they were pegged back by Alonso’s screamer of a goal. After the break, Liverpool began to show exactly why they are going for the title once again by creating opportunities at will but could not take them. And they were made to pay by Jansen’s late winner. The final score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 LIVERPOOL 2.

Blackburn : Enckleman 6 (Friedel 45, 7), Ortiz 7, Gray 7, Nelsen 8, Svensson 6 (Mokoena 62, 7), Emerton 6 (Keita 62, 7), Pedersen 7, Guarin 7, Reid 7, Kuqi 8, Jansen 9.

Goals : Jansen (8, 35, 85)

Liverpool : Reina 5, Carragher 6, Riise 7, Medjani 7, Barzagli 6 (Hyppia 61, 7), Alonso 8, Cheyrou 7 (Hamann 45, 7), Sissoko 7, Garcia 7, Cisse 7, Sinama-Pongolle 6 (Morientes 61, 7).

Goals : Cisse (17), Alonso (44)

Booked : Carragher & Morientes

Man of the Match : Matt Jansen – the English striker has been in and out of form this season but this afternoon he reminded Faiz Khan of what he can still bring to this team. A stunning hat-trick must go a long way to doing just that!

Attendance : 31340
Referee : Matt Messias

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Tuesday 26th December 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

ROVERS NARROWLY EDGE OUT BOLTON
BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 1

A very big result in the local derby here then. Blackburn Rovers showed their battling qualities in defeating Bolton Wanderers in the Premiership at Ewood Park this afternoon. Goals either side of halftime from Paul Gallagher and Matt Jansen were enough to give Blackburn victory in this local derby. Ricardo Gardner pulled a stunning goal back late in the second half but it was not enough for Bolton to take anything from this match. To be honest, Blackburn deserved the victory as they had the better of their opponents in terms of shots on goal although they had less of the ball. Faiz Khan made six changes from the side that beat Liverpool with Brad Friedel, Lucas Neill, Aaron Mokoena, Robbie Savage, Seydou Keita and Gallagher coming in to replace Peter Enckleman, Juan Manuel Ortiz, Karl Svensson, Freddy Guarin, Steven Reid and Shefki Kuqi. Bolton boss Sam Allardyce made two alterations from the victory at Aston Villa with Gary Speed and Jared Borgetti making way for Tal Ben-Haim and Stelios Giannakopoulos.

On a very cold festive afternoon at Ewood Park, referee Jamie Ward got the Premiership match up and running. Blackburn were quickly into their stride and should have had the lead after 7 minutes. Neill sent a great ball over the top for Brett Emerton to run onto and his instant cross towards the near post was headed well wide by Gallagher. Four minutes later, Bolton made their first opening of the game. Niko Kranjcar and Kevin Nolan combined to tee up Garnder from 20 yards out but his firm effort was beaten away by Friedel and the ball was cleared to safety. And from the clearance, Rovers took the lead. Neill scrambled the ball away and Jansen flicked the ball into the path of Gallagher clear on goal and he took the ball wide of Jussi Jasskelainen before sliding the ball underneath the keeper’s body – his 5th goal of the season and his 1st in his 1st league appearance this season. From the restart, Blackburn almost added a second goal. A goal kick from Friedel found Emerton who went past two defenders and stormed into the area only for Jaaskelainen to produce a difficult save and the ball was cleared to safety. Midway through the first half, Emerton was really creating problems down the right wing as he darted into the area and crossed invitingly for anyone in a yellow shirt but Bastiaan Gheysen made a good tackle and the danger was gone. Just before the halfhour, Gardner controlled a high Ben-Haim ball superbly and struck a volley from 25 yards out that flew just inches wide of the goal. On the halfhour, Bolton should have equalised. Mokoena was caught dallying on the ball by El-Hadji Diouf and he squared for Stelios but Friedel blocked his firm shot and Mokoena cleared his mistake away. After three minutes stoppage time, the referee blew for the interval. Blackburn have a narrow lead at the break thanks to Gallagher’s brilliant breakaway goal. Blackburn started really well, capping it off with the goal but Bolton came back into the game before the break and should have levelled the game. As they didn’t, the halftime score from Ewood Park was BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 BOLTON WANDERERS 0.

The second half was underway as both sets of fans were settling back into their seats. Straight from the kickoff, Blackburn missed a great opportunity to extend their lead. Morten Gamst Pedersen sent Jansen away down the left flank and he crossed into the area where unmarked substitute Kuqi managed to head over the crossbar from merely two yards out. Four minutes later, Rovers came close for the second time in the half. Emerton stole the ball from Nicky Hunt and his cross was met on the volley by Pedersen but Jaaskelainen expertly beat the ball away. A minute later, Jansen came towards goal but as he was stopped by Ben-Haim, the ball came out to Emerton who squared the ball for Kuqi but the Finn inexplicably blasted the ball well wide from six yards out. This relentless pressure was always going to be pay off and it did on the hour. Kuqi flicked on a Friedel kick but Jaaskelainen got to the ball first. Only that the keeper was trying to be too smart with Emerton and the Australia international snatched the ball away and Jansen tapped the ball home. Halfway through the second half, Bolton finally got going and should have pulled a goal back. Hunt sent a great ball for Stelios into the area and he squared for substitute Fabrice Fernandes but he poorly connected with the ball and his effort went well wide of the mark. The visitors made the last 12 minutes interesting by pulling a goal back. Fernandes put a great ball into the area but when Mokoena cleared the ball, Gardner returned the ball from 40 yards out over a stranded Friedel and into the far corner. With just four minutes remaining, Blackburn almost made sure of the three points. Michael Gray threw the ball to Emerton who turned inside and then directed a low shot just wide of the goal. In stoppage time, Bolton missed a fantastic opportunity to snatch a point. Substitute Ivan Campo’s clearance released Nolan away on goal but as he tried to lob Friedel, the former American No.1 tipped the ball over the crossbar. The final whistle went a minute later to end this local encounter. Blackburn have narrowly defeated their local rivals this afternoon. Blackburn started very brightly and took the lead after 13 minutes but Bolton began to really dominate the first half but couldn’t equalise. Into the second half, Blackburn controlled the beginning and extended their lead on the hour through Jansen’s opportunist finish. Then Bolton began playing and pulled a goal back thanks to Gardner wonderfully instinctive strike but the scoreline from Ewood Park at the final whistle read BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 1.

Blackburn : Friedel 7, Neill 6, Gray 8, Nelsen 7, Mokoena 7, Emerton 7, Pedersen 7 (Reid 61, 6), Savage 7, Keita 7, Gallagher 8 (Kuqi 40, 7), Jansen 8 (Guarin 61, 7).

Goals : Gallagher (13), Jansen (60)

Injured : Gallagher (40)

Bolton : Jaaskelainen 6, Hunt 8, Ben-Haim 7, Bosacki 8, van Burik 7 (Campo 78, 7), Gheysen 7 (Davies 78, 6), Nolan 8, Kranjcar 7 (Fernandes 45, 7), Stelios 7, Diouf 6, Gardner 9.

Goals : Gardner (78)

Man of the Match : Ricardo Gardner – the Jamaican fullback was very impressive this afternoon as he tried manfully to get Bolton going. He took is goal brilliantly and could have scored more.

Attendance : 31355
Referee : Jamie Ward

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Saturday 30th December 2006

BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP

EFFICIENT ROVERS DISPATCH CHARLTON
CHARLTON ATHELTIC 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 3

The first double of the season. Blackburn Rovers were really impressive in beating Charlton Athletic in the Premiership at the Valley this afternoon. Shefki Kuqi gave Rovers an early lead and after the break, Robbie Savage struck twice to give his side a comfortable three points. In truth, the game was marginally dominated by Blackburn and maybe their better composure in front of goal made all the difference here. Faiz Khan made a massive seven changes from the victory over Bolton on Boxing Day with Peter Enckleman, Juan Manuel Ortiz, James McEveley, Karl Svensson, Denilson, Steven Reid and Kuqi coming in for Brad Friedel, Lucas Neill, Michael Gray, Aaron Mokoena, injured Morten Gamst Pedersen, Seydou Keita and injured Paul Gallagher. Charlton boss Alan Curbishley made just one change from the side that lost Aston Villa with Dean Kiely being replaced by Alan Ridley.

On a very cold and breezy late December afternoon, referee Dermot Gallagher got this Premiership match going. After the first minute, Charlton almost scored. Radostin Kishishev received a throw from Luke Young before crossing into the area where Jerome Thomas’ close range strike was blocked by Enckleman and the ball was cleared to safety. A minute later, a Young high ball was flicked on by Stilian Petrov to send Darren Bent clear on goal only for his fierce shot to hit the inside of the post and into Enckleman’s grateful arms. On 10 minutes, Blackburn came into the match and struck lucky with their first opportunity. Brett Emerton went down the right flank, cut inside before crossing into a crowded penalty area and Kuqi took one touch before sweeping his shot past Ridley into the far corner – finally, Kuqi’s goal scoring touch had returned! Charlton almost hit back six minutes later. A high Tomas Ujfalusi ball was controlled by Bent and he played in Petrov on goal but Enckleman produced an outstanding save and the ball was cleared to safety. Halfway through the first half, the home side really were starting to exert severe pressure on Blackburn’s goal. A great one touch passing move involving Ujfalusi, Kishishev and Thomas set up Petrov from close range but Enckleman was there again with a great stop. On the counter-attack, Savage fed the ball to Kuqi and the Finn sent Matt Jansen through with only Ridley but his effort was wayward and it went miles over the crossbar. On 36 minutes, Denilson intercepted a stray pass, gave it to Reid and the ball was put through for Kuqi to score but Ujfalusi was there with a timely tackle and the ball was cleared to safety. Just before halftime, Reid came running at full throttle towards the area before setting up Kuqi from 20 yards out but his effort sailed harmlessly over the crossbar. The halftime whistle went after two minutes of injury time. Well, Blackburn have the lead after a very entertaining first half. Charlton started really well and were unlucky on a couple of occasions until Blackburn snatched the early breakthrough. After the goal, Charlton continued to control the half with Enckleman proving a massive figure in goal until Blackburn ended the half stronger. The halftime score from the Valley was CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 1.

The second period got up and running as the home fans gave their encouragement from the stands onto the pitch. But straight from restart, their side fell two behind. Jansen went running at Jonathan Fortune before passing to Kuqi who squared the ball for Savage and the Wales international struck his effort through Ridley at his near post. A minute later, Charlton continued to be frustrated by great goalkeeping. Thomas ran at Svensson and played Petrov clear on goal but his shot was superbly blocked by the onrushing Enckleman. A minute later, a nice passage of play involving Reid, Savage and substitute Andrea Gasbarroni set up Emerton from 30 yards and his first time effort was easily smothered by Ridley. On the hour, Blackburn were pretty much home and dry. Young was penalised for pushing Kuqi on the edge of the area and Savage stepped up to dispatch the freekick into the top corner at Ridley’s near post – his 5th goal of the season and what a goal! After 80 minutes, Blackburn almost added a fourth goal. Savage had a long range effort charged down and the ball came to Emerton who took one touch before firing the ball goalwards only for Ridley to stretch his fingertips to deny him. And from the resulting corner, substitute Freddy Guarin headed Gasbarroni’s ball into the sidenetting. A couple of minutes later, Ryan Nelsen and Reid combined to tee up Emerton from 25 yards out but his zipping low effort went just inches wide of the goal. The match was ended after three minutes of stoppage time. Blackburn have efficiently brushed aside their opponents. Charlton made a bright start but Blackburn scored the early goal. The home side started to dominate but Enckleman was denying them time and time again. Rovers ended that half the stronger. Into the second half and Rovers continued where they left thanks to Savage’s two great goals before the hour. For the rest of the game, Blackburn began to control possession and chances but couldn’t add to the goals. The final score from the Valley was CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 3.

Charlton : Ridley 7, Young 5, Hreidarsson 6, Ujfalusi 6 (El Karkouri 73, 6), Fortune 6, Kishishev 6, Holland 6, Ambrose 6 (Murphy 73, 6), Thomas 6, Petrov 6, Bent 6 (McLeod 81, 6).

Blackburn : Enckleman 8, Ortiz 8, McEveley 8, Nelsen 8, Svensson 8, Emerton 9, Denilson 7 (Gasbarroni 45, 8), Savage 9, Reid 8, Kuqi 9 (Bellamy 62, 6), Jansen 7 (Guarin 72, 6).

Goals : Kuqi (10), Savage (46, 61)

Booked : Nelsen

Man of the Match : Brett Emerton – the flamboyant winger was a constant threat all afternoon as his runs and shooting almost resulted in him scoring. Still, he did supply the first goal of the afternoon.

Attendance : 29018
Referee : Dermot Gallagher

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Saturday 30th December 2006

DOUBLE INJURY BLOW FOR BLACKBURN

Blackburn Rovers have announced tonight that two players picked up severe injuries in the Premiership victory at Charlton earlier on this afternoon. Irish international Steven Reid pulled his hamstring while stretching for the ball in the closing stages of the match and has undergone treatment on the injury. The injury setback is set to rule Reid out for upto a full month on the sidelines. Both Faiz Khan and Reid are very disappointed about this setback and particularly Reid is determined to come back stronger from this injury.

The club are also set to be without Brazilian winger Denilson for a fair length of time. The player twisted his knee whilst running for the ball late in the first half and he was replaced at the break. This latest injury setback is likely to keep Denilson out for upto 4 weeks on the sidelines. Khan is getting really frustrated with the unlucky fortunes of his Brazilian international and is hoping the player can come back to play even better in the future.

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Sunday 31st December 2006 - Premiership Table


1st - Arsenal - 43 pts
2nd - Liverpool - 41
3rd - Everton - 40
4th - Blackburn - 39
5th - Chelsea - 39
6th - Man Utd - 38
7th - Tottenham - 36
8th - Middlesbrough - 34
9th - Bolton - 33
10th - Man City - 30
11th - Fulham - 24
12th - Charlton - 24
13th - Aston Villa - 24
14th - Birmingham - 22
15th - Portsmouth - 22
16th - Crystal Palace - 21
17th - Ipswich - 18
18th - Wolves - 18
19th - Newcastle - 13
20th - Wigan - 9

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Monday 1st January 2007

MONTHLY AWARDS FOR DECEMBER

The Barclays Premiership Player of the Month was Arsenal's cultured striker Thierry Henry as his 10 goals have helped his side cement their position at the top of the Premiership tree. Also found time to lay on an assist for a team-mate.

The Barclays Premiership Young Player of the Month was Liverpool's strong centre-back Carl Medjani as his consistently solid display at the heart of the Liverpool defence has helped Liverpool's title challenge positively. A great prospect for the future!

The Barclays Premiership Manager of the Month was Everton's David Moyes as he guided his players to four wins in a six match unbeaten run. This fantastic form has helped the Merseysiders to 3rd place in the Premiership table.

The Barclays Premiership Goal of the Month was Xabi Alonso's cracker at Stamford Bridge. He picked the ball up from Dietmar Hamann from 30 yards and dispatched a powerful shot past Petr Cech in off the post. This goal sealed a pricelsss three points at Chelsea.

retired_iva terry

Hope that blackburn get a good run in the cup and hopefully they can qualify for europe as it happened under Mark Hughes last season..KUTGW