Rovers Cruise on Through

Tonight saw Rovers progress to the quarter finals of the Carling Cup by beating Peterborough 5-2 at Ewood Park. Big Sam fielded a strong side that included several first team players, including Gael Givet, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Brett Emerton.

Rovers got off to a flyer when a curling free kick by Morten Gamst Pedersen hit the back of the net after only 3 minutes, a first goal of the season for the left winger. Rovers seemed to drift out of the game at this point and Peterborough were pressing forward at every opportunity, a deep cross by left back Tommy Rowe was nodded in from close range by Chris Whelpdale for the equaliser on 16 minutes.

This was a wake up call for Blackburn and they were soon on top. David Hoilett looked a constant threat down the right hand side along with Spanish veteran Michel Salgado, and Brett Emerton was controlling the game from the centre of midfield. Rovers were rewarded for there play, when a beautiful ball from Steven Reid found Pedersen in the area, who was brought down by Goalkeeper Joe Lewis for a penalty, which also lead to an early bath for the England U21 man. Up stepped Reidy to coolly slot the ball past substitute 'keeper James McKeown. 2-1 Rovers.

Soon after half time the away side were level. Some nice link up play from the midfield gave George Boyd the chance to smash home from the edge of the area to keep the posh in with a shout. Unfortunately for them, they could not push on from here, and Blackburn made the extra man advantage show, constantly pushing forward and looking for the goal which would put them in the driving seat. That goal came courtesy of right back Michel Salgado who finished well from an extremely tight angle to put Rovers 3-2 up.

The game then went through a rough patch, and neither side could get the all-important next goal. Big Sam decided to make two changes, bringing on Swine-flu victim David Dunn, and captain Ryan Nelsen on for Brett Emerton and Gael Givet. Soon after it was Rovers who got the deciding goal when summer signing Nicola Kalinic took the ball past two players and was clean through on goal, kindly squaring the ball to fellow striker Benny McCarthy who slotted the ball home.

Two minutes later it was 5-2! A cross by Olsson was handled in the area by Krystian Pearce. Nicola Kalinic stepped up and converted the spot kick for his first Rovers goal.

Blackburn saw the game out and progressed through to the quarter final

Didn`t have to make any world class saves, was fairly quiet. Poor goal kicks and picking the ball out of the net was pretty much all he did. Best I`ve seen him play. Worked his socks off constantly. Got a goal to round off an impressive performance Looked impressive from what we saw. Didn`t do anything wrong, and did what he had to do with no fuss. Solid at the back. Exactly what we have come to expect from the Frenchman Made a few mistakes but looked reasonable going forward, nothing special, but played ok Played well considering he isn`t fully fit. Grabbed a goal and set up several attacking moves… Looking forward to getting him back. Man of the match! Played really well in the centre of midfield, created lots, but in a good defensive performance, and worked his socks off. Hats off to him, best I`ve seen him play in a long while. Did well to score the free kick, missed a few sitters though. Played well down the left flank, got some good crosses in. Constant threat down the right hand side, he is still learning his trade so made a few mistakes, but overall a great performance from the lad. Was very poor first half and didn`t do much, came alive once we were 3-2 up though, and all the tricks and flicks came out to entertain the crowd. Still getting used to the game, when he actually got on the ball and ran at defenders he was good, and a threat in the air, he didn`t really get enough chances today though.

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