Match Review - Blackburn (a)

[Jourdan]

Blackburn 3-1 Derby
By Jourdan Rhule

Jason Roberts’ 3rd league goal of the season was sandwiched in between two strikes from Roque Santa Cruz as Blackburn came from behind to breeze past Derby.

The Rams, in search of their first away win of the Premier League campaign, started confidently. Robert Earnshaw pressurised Brad Friedel who could only smash his clearance against the Welshman and was grateful to see the ball loop fractionally over the bar.

The home side were slowly but surely finding their feet with Roberts and Morten Gamst Pedersen coming close in the opening 15 minutes, only to be caught cold by Derby’s opening goal 19 minutes in. Roy Carroll claimed a corner from the left and it was his quick thinking to loft the ball up-field towards Kenny Miller, who had cut through Blackburn’s defence like a knife through butter with his precise run. The Scottish international brought the ball under control and charged towards goal before coolly sliding the ball under the helpless Friedel to spark vigorous celebrations in the Darwen End.

David Bentley almost levelled for Rovers as his bold lob from 18 yards looked to be sneaking under the crossbar, before Carroll was alert to tip the ball over. Carroll then denied Chris Samba who wriggled free at the back post but could only power his header straight at the ex-Manchester United goalkeeper. Although the hosts were in the ascendancy, County still looked dangerous on the counter attack and after the Rovers defence struggled to clear their lines, Earnshaw stabbed the ball towards goal from 10 yards out after meeting Kenny Miller’s cross only to see Stephen Warnock’s lunging block deny the Rams a second.

Just as it looked as if Derby would go into half-time ahead, Blackburn snatched a vital equaliser. Gamst Pedersen’s left-foot thunderbolt deflected off a Derby defender and made the save difficult for Carroll as he could only manage to parry the ball away, inviting the predatory Santa Cruz to seize on the rebound and fire home from 6 yards out to bring Rams fans, dreaming of that elusive away win, back down to earth with an almighty bump.

And things would only get worse, as after Earnshaw had sent his right foot shot flying inches wide of Friedel’s right hand post moments into the second period, Blackburn virtually went up the other end and edged ahead. Andy Todd’s attempted clearance flicked off Gamst Pedersen and Darren Moore could only scramble his clearance into the feet of Todd who committed defensive suicide by teeing up Jason Roberts with what can only be described as an extremely under-hit back pass, allowing the former Wigan man to dart clear and compose himself, before placing his right foot shot into the right hand corner of Carroll’s net.

Opportunities to put the game beyond doubt for Blackburn came thick and fast. Carroll came to the rescue, tipping Roberts’ overhead kick round his left hand post before Roberts was sent clear once more but as he closed in on goal, Carroll positioned himself well to block the shot. And Rovers could have been made to rue not putting the game to bed when Miller weighed up a shot after bearing down goal from the right, but his dallying on the ball coupled with an intervention by a Rovers defender saw the chance go begging.

Then as the final ten minutes approached, Rovers grabbed a deserved third. Bentley teased Sterjovski before whipping in a delightful left wing cross that Santa Cruz bundled in at the far post to allow Rovers fans to breathe a little easier. Derby could have scored a consolation goal but Robbie Savage, on his return to Ewood Park, could not reward the fabulous travelling support with a second as his 25 yard free kick sailed comfortably wide of goal.

The game ebbed away from that point with Derby fans left short-changed by the result. Even after a season of immense embarrassment on the pitch, they still came to Ewood Park in their thousands in good spirits and making for a carnival atmosphere. Yet despite defeat being on the cards, they were not silenced and were still singing defiantly as the final whistle neared.

Player Ratings

Carroll – 8 – MOTM – Kept the score respectable with some admirable shot stopping.

Todd – 3 – Never looked comfortable and handed Rovers the initiative with a poor back pass.

Addison – 6 – Acquitted himself very well against an experienced and dangerous attack of Roberts and Santa Cruz.

Moore – 5 – Bounced back from his nightmare performance against Arsenal, holding his own despite the pace and strength of Roberts and Santa Cruz.

McEveley – 4 – Nervy display on his return to Ewood Park.

Mears – 4 – Went through the motions and never looked overly dangerous nor did he protect his full back greatly.

Ghaly – 6 – Looked calm and composed on the ball and was our only source of creativity.

Savage – 6 – Assured display from the captain.

Lewis – 4 – Never really figured in Derby’s attacks and was very anonymous.

Miller – 7 – Made a mockery of the Rovers defence with his well timed run and calm finish and was threatening picking up the ball from out wide but needs to be more decisive in the box.

Earnshaw – 5 – Worked hard but was simply man-handled by Samba and Nelsen.

Subs.:

Sterjovski – 4 – Made a few purposeful runs but arrived on the pitch with Blackburn firmly in control.

Villa – 4 – Didn’t really see enough of the ball to reverse the Rams’ fortunes.