Blackburn 3- Derby 1

In the penultimate round of the premier league, Blackburn faced a struggling Derby County at Ewood Park. In what many had tipped to be a walk over for the boys in blue and white, it came to a surprise to many when Derby took the inititiave. After a comedy of errors by the Rovers defence, a quick release by Roy Carrol set Kenny Miller free, leaving behind shouts of offside, slotting the ball past Brad Friedel.

THis seemed to fire Rovers up, with Bentley and Gamst getting on the ball, firing the ball into the Derby box. Blackburns persistance paid of when in stoppage time, a powerful Morten Gamst Pedersen strike was parried by Roy Carrol, right into the path of the Parguayan Goal scoring machine, Roque Santa Cruz. 1 all at the break.

Sparky must of let loose in the sheds, with a horrible set of errors by the Derby defence, freeing up Jason Roberts, cooly slotting it in the net, 2-1 Rovers.

From here on, Rovers took charge, with Tugay being introduced, pulling the strings in the middle of the park with Gamst and Bentley playing either side. Blackburn really should of run away with the game, with Roberts missing 2 or 3 clear opportunities. Bentley could of tucked one away with Samba also coming close. The drought continues for the Admiral, with Nelsen almost bending in a left foot volley.

However, it was the man of the moment who tucked the third, Roque Santa Cruz latching on a cross with some part of his body, 3-1 Rovers.

Martin Olsson and Matt Derbyshire were introduced to seal of the game.

Good victory for the boys, we really should of cleaned up though.

Roque Santa Cruz. 2 chances, 2 goals, enough said. I was going to give it to Jason Roberts, had a terrific game, really should of had at least a hattrick though.
Not needed throughout the game Really poor at right back, where are the Emerton dissers now aye.... Started of sloppy, but then shut of the little that tried to come past Could of scored a brace, would of been useful to nick a few goals this year. Same as Nelsen, started sloppy but became more solid as game went on. Warnock is a revelation. Worked splendidly with Gamst on the left to create several opportunities Im still not convinced to be honest. Did not have much of an impact, i would rather see Dunny making bursts through the middle, however thats just my opinion Nothing special, missed a good opportunity, however did track back well Just makes you wonder what could of been if this was the form all year. Still not conifdent on the set pieces yet, but getting there I think the 8 is a tad generous, but maybe we have just come to expect more of him. Had a really solid game, but expected him to cut Derby to shreds. Had a fantastic game, always a threat, now just needs to tuck the ball into the net As i said, 2 chances, 2 goals, splendid, the tally keeps climbinb Played some decent passes across the middle and up front, we all just wanted him to have one shot though, didnt happen lol Little time to affect the game Little time to affect the game

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