Blackburn Rovers | England Premier League Media

Baggies snap up Blackburn’s Reid

West Bromwich Albion have completed the signing of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven Reid on a one-month loan deal.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland international goes straight into the Baggies squad to face QPR on Saturday.

Injuries have limited versatile Reid to just 44 appearances for Blackburn during the last four seasons.

Boss Roberto di Matteo told the club website: “We have been looking to strengthen our squad for the final push and Steven certainly fits the bill.”

He added: “He’s a versatile player with loads of experience.

“We’ve had some great references about Steven so hopefully he’ll perform at the level we expect him to.”

Reid has made 10 appearances for Rovers this season, and also featured twice during a loan spell at QPR.

The former Millwall man played in the 2002 World Cup but his last international appearance came in September 2008.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Aley can be Rovers star – Preece

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Southport head of youth development Haydn Preece says he has high hopes for young striker Zac Aley who has joined Premier League club Blackburn Rovers.

The 19-year-old has joined the reserve team ranks at Ewood Park after coming through the Sandgrounders youth system.

“We’re hoping for him to play in the Premier League in the next 18 months,” Reece told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“To sign for Blackburn is a tremendous achievement for Zac. Hopefully he’s on the ladder to international stardom.”

He added: “Zac has studied with us as a scholar for the last 18 months. He’s achieved his BTec’s and his NVQ’s and he’s a qualified referee now and he’s on the ladder of FA coaching badges.”

Preece indicated Aley is not the only player to come through the club’s academy who can make an impact at a higher level.

“We’ve not just had Zac transferred to Blackburn,” said Preece. “We’ve had Liam Willis transferred to Wigan Athletic and we’ve had Russell Benjamin move at the end of his first season to Rochdale.

“So there is a lot of movement within the club and there is a lot of development of individual players. We’ve done so well to move so quickly.”

The former Southport chief executive says the club have been breaking new ground in improving their academy facilities in the past 18 months.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

“We’re the first non league club in the country to be funded by the Learning Skills Council to set-up a full academy system from a scholarship, education and coaching format,” he continued.

“It’s exactly mirroring any football league league club. We have several players coming through and Zac is the first.

“We have a conveyor belt of players coming through and it depends on what we can attract. We’re now showing what we can do.”

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

‘No action’ over football death

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

No further action is to be taken over the death of a 30-year-old Blackburn Rovers fan at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium last month, police say.

John Taylor was found unconscious in the south stand concourse, being used by visiting fans, during Stoke City’s match against Blackburn on 6 February.

Mr Taylor, from Darwen in Lancashire, died in hospital from a head injury.

The Crown Prosecution Service said no further action would be taken against a man, 25, arrested at the time.

‘Brilliant dad’

The man, from Preston, was arrested after the incident and later released on bail, police said at the time.

Initial reports suggested Mr Taylor may have been hit on the head with a bin.

Staffordshire Police said it had handed a file to the CPS but now the matter would not be taken any further.

Mr Taylor’s family paid tribute to him last month, describing him as a “perfect and brilliant dad”.

They said he was a life-long Blackburn Rovers fan and “lived for his weekends, going to football”.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres scored as Liverpool won a bad-tempered contest against Blackburn to move to within one point of fourth spot.

Gerrard put Liverpool ahead with a left-foot shot from six yards before Keith Andrews levelled from the spot after a Jamie Carragher handball.

An unmarked Torres slid home from close range to restore Liverpool’s lead.

Gerrard and El-Hadji Diouf exchanged heated words before the break while Pepe Reina denied Chris Samba late on.

There is no love lost between Reds boss Rafa Benitez and Rovers counterpart Sam Allardyce – and little that happened on the pitch is likely to lead to any form of reconciliation.

Steven Nzonzi should have been sent off after pushing Lucas in the face and there were a series of thunderous challenges during a fully committed contest that saw Benitez repeatedly complain to the fourth official.

It was far from vintage Liverpool and Rovers can consider themselves unfortunate to have left Anfield pointless.

But the Reds will be pleased to have returned to winning ways having failed to score in their previous two games.

Torres, who has been dogged by groin and knee injuries, was back in the starting XI for the first time since 13 January, and understandably not at his fluent best.

But there was an unmistakeable electricity around the ground every time the Spain striker was in possession.

And the fact that he and Gerrard both found the net ended a sequence of six Premier League games during which Dirk Kuyt had been the only Liverpool player to have scored.

The wait goes on for Allardyce to earn his first win as a manager at Anfield, but there was plenty to suggest from his team’s performance that they will climb the table during the remaining weeks of the season.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Rafael Benitez happy to have Fernando Torres back

Blackburn started brightly and created several early chances, with the recalled Samba heading tamely at goal, Martin Olsson narrowly missing from distance and Nikola Kalinic shooting across goal but marginally wide.

Their early dominance perhaps warranted a goal and Rovers can consider themselves extremely unlucky to find themselves trailing after 20 minutes.

A rare period of crisp interplay concluded with a heavy touch from Gerrard that had the effect of catching Samba flat-footed and allowed the Liverpool skipper the time and space to drill the ball beyond Paul Robinson from a tight angle.

Reina twice denied Morten Gamst Pedersen, while Dirk Kuyt headed wide for Liverpool before Rovers equalised from the penalty spot after Carragher was adjudged to have handled while he was led on the floor, preventing Kalinic from collecting the ball.

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

We need a goalscorer – Sam Allardyce

Reina almost saved the spot-kick but Andrews’ effort squirmed under his body.

Liverpool, who had seen the recalled Fabio Aurelio limp off, went into the break with their lead restored after Torres converted Maxi Rodriguez’s low cross.

But the final minutes of the half were dominated by a prolonged verbal exchange between Gerrard and former Liverpool forward Diouf that started after Rovers had a second penalty appeal turned down.

The two players had to be separated by a steward as they made their way into the tunnel at the break.

The first dramatic action after the restart involved another unsightly incident as Nzonzi pushed Lucas in the face and was extremely fortunate to escape with a booking.

Actual footballing drama remained at a premium but Daniel Agger headed over from a Gerrard free-kick while an ambitious overhead kick from Kuyt missed the target.

Rovers substitute Vince Grella missed from 20 yards late on before Reina pulled off a sensational injury-time save from Samba’s header that had deflected off Kuyt.

Live text and stats

Sunday, 28 February 2010

Premier League

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+6:04 The referee ends the match.
90:00+5:04 Unfair challenge on Javier Mascherano by Michel Salgado results in a free kick.
90:00+4:41 A cross is delivered by Morten Gamst Pedersen, save by Jose Reina.
90:00+1:56 Christopher Samba takes a shot. Brilliant save by Jose Reina.
90:00+1:29 Direct free kick taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen.
90:00+1:29 Booking Leiva Lucas receives a caution for time wasting.
90:00+1:24 Emiliano Insua concedes a free kick for a foul on Jason Roberts.
90:00+0:50 Jason Roberts produces a cross.
89:59 Vincenzo Grella has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.
88:51 Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
88:51 Substitution David Ngog replaces Fernando Torres.
88:51 Foul by Rodriguez Maxi on Pascal Chimbonda, free kick awarded.
87:44 Unfair challenge on Steven Gerrard by Christopher Samba results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
87:10 Free kick awarded for a foul by Ryan Babel on Pascal Chimbonda. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
83:42 Foul by Vincenzo Grella on Dirk Kuyt, free kick awarded. Daniel Agger restarts play with the free kick.
82:08 Steven Gerrard produces a right-footed shot from long range which goes wide right of the goal.
80:32 Substitution Ryan Babel is brought on as a substitute for Yossi Benayoun.
79:28 Free kick awarded for a foul by Rodriguez Maxi on Pascal Chimbonda. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
77:06 Fernando Torres is ruled offside. Paul Robinson takes the indirect free kick.
76:30 The ball is delivered by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Javier Mascherano manages to make a clearance.
74:11 A cross is delivered by Keith Andrews. The referee blows for offside against Nikola Kalinic. Jose Reina restarts play with
the free kick.
72:45 The ball is sent over by Keith Andrews, Nikola Kalinic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jose Reina. Jose
Reina restarts play with the free kick.
72:16 The ball is swung over by Michel Salgado, clearance made by Steven Gerrard.
71:57 Corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen played to the near post, Jamie Carragher makes a clearance.
71:03 Jason Roberts fouled by Leiva Lucas, the ref awards a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Morten Gamst
Pedersen, Steven Gerrard gets a block in.
69:52 Emiliano Insua produces a right-footed shot from a long way out which goes wide right of the goal.
69:11 Free kick crossed by Steven Gerrard, Keith Andrews manages to make a clearance.
69:11 Booking Booking for El-Hadji Diouf for unsporting behaviour.
68:55 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Javier Mascherano by El-Hadji Diouf.
66:16 Steven Gerrard delivers the ball, Keith Andrews makes a clearance.
65:37 Unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Keith Andrews results in a free kick. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Steven
Gerrard from right channel, Morten Gamst Pedersen makes a clearance.
63:59 Substitution Jason Roberts on for David Hoilett.
63:15 Unfair challenge on Emiliano Insua by El-Hadji Diouf results in a free kick. Emiliano Insua takes the free kick.
61:35 David Hoilett takes a shot. Jose Reina makes a comfortable save.
60:48 Effort from inside the area by Dirk Kuyt misses to the right of the goal.
60:35 Javier Mascherano crosses the ball, Christopher Samba manages to make a clearance.
59:32 Substitution Vincenzo Grella joins the action as a substitute, replacing Steven Nzonzi.
59:23 Keith Andrews has a shot on goal from outside the area which misses right.
58:47 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Pascal Chimbonda. Jamie Carragher takes the free kick.
57:45 Leiva Lucas gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Pascal Chimbonda. Paul Robinson takes the direct free kick.
56:39 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Keith Andrews. The ball is swung over by Steven Gerrard, Dirk
Kuyt takes a shot. Save by Paul Robinson.
55:43 Jamie Carragher takes the free kick.
55:43 Booking Nikola Kalinic is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
55:30 Javier Mascherano fouled by Nikola Kalinic, the ref awards a free kick.
55:04 Leiva Lucas concedes a free kick for a foul on Morten Gamst Pedersen. Christopher Samba takes the free kick.
54:55 The ball is crossed by Emiliano Insua, clearance made by Pascal Chimbonda.
54:20 Rodriguez Maxi takes a shot. Save made by Paul Robinson. Steven Gerrard decides to take a short corner. Centre by Emiliano
Insua, clearance by Keith Andrews.
52:30 Pascal Chimbonda gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Rodriguez Maxi. The ball is crossed by Steven Gerrard,
Headed effort from close range by Daniel Agger goes wide left of the goal.
50:14 Substitution Pascal Chimbonda joins the action as a substitute, replacing Martin Olsson.
49:19 Jamie Carragher restarts play with the free kick.
49:19 Booking Steven Nzonzi goes into the book for unsporting behaviour.
49:08 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Steven Nzonzi.
47:27 Daniel Agger restarts play with the free kick. Centre by Dirk Kuyt, save made by Paul Robinson.
47:27 Booking Martin Olsson booked.
47:21 Handball by Martin Olsson.
45:01 The second half has started.
Half Time
45:00+3:10 The half-time whistle blows.
45:00+0:57 Foul by David Hoilett on Javier Mascherano, free kick awarded. The free kick is delivered right-footed by Steven Gerrard from
right wing. The assistant referee flags for offside against Fernando Torres. Indirect free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
43:10 Assist by Rodriguez Maxi.
43:10 GOAL – Fernando Torres:Liverpool 2 – 1 Blackburn Fernando Torres gets on the score sheet with a goal from close range high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn.
42:40 Javier Mascherano crosses the ball, Paul Robinson makes a comfortable save.
41:12 Rodriguez Maxi fouled by Keith Andrews, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed right-footed by Steven Gerrard from
right channel, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.
39:44 GOAL – Keith Andrews:Liverpool 1 – 1 Blackburn Placed penalty scored by Keith Andrews. Liverpool 1-1 Blackburn.
39:05 The referee gives a against Jamie Carragher for handball.
38:42 The ball is swung over by Martin Olsson, Jamie Carragher manages to make a clearance.
37:48 Substitution Fabio Aurelio leaves the field to be replaced by Emiliano Insua.
36:27 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard from the left by-line to the near post, save made by Paul Robinson.
36:16 Javier Mascherano takes a shot. Blocked by Gael Givet.
35:27 Foul by Morten Gamst Pedersen on Fernando Torres, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Carragher.
34:35 Yossi Benayoun concedes a free kick for a foul on El-Hadji Diouf. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
32:12 Centre by Martin Olsson, clearance made by Jamie Carragher.
30:35 Corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen, clearance by Dirk Kuyt.
29:06 Corner taken right-footed by Steven Gerrard, Header from close in by Dirk Kuyt misses to the left of the goal.
28:59 Javier Mascherano sends in a cross, clearance by Michel Salgado.
27:01 Steven Gerrard takes a inswinging corner to the near post, clearance by Keith Andrews.
26:22 Free kick awarded for a foul by El-Hadji Diouf on Steven Gerrard. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Fabio Aurelio,
clearance made by Gael Givet.
25:18 Unfair challenge on Leiva Lucas by Morten Gamst Pedersen results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Steven Gerrard, clearance
by Christopher Samba.
23:51 Fabio Aurelio takes a shot. Michel Salgado gets a block in.
23:09 El-Hadji Diouf gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Javier Mascherano. Direct free kick taken by Jose Reina.
20:18 Morten Gamst Pedersen takes a shot. Save by Javier Mascherano. Morten Gamst Pedersen takes a shot. Save by Jose Reina. Corner
taken by El-Hadji Diouf, Headed effort on goal by Steven Nzonzi from inside the penalty box misses to the right of the goal.
19:03 The assist for the goal came from Yossi Benayoun.
19:03 GOAL – Steven Gerrard:Liverpool 1 – 0 Blackburn A goal is scored by Steven Gerrard from inside the box high into the middle of the goal. Liverpool 1-0 Blackburn.
17:18 Free kick awarded for a foul by Daniel Agger on Nikola Kalinic. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
16:46 Direct free kick taken by Fabio Aurelio.
16:46 Booking Michel Salgado is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
16:38 Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Michel Salgado results in a free kick.
15:19 Nikola Kalinic has an effort at goal from just inside the box that misses to the right of the goal.
15:03 Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Gael Givet results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Rodriguez Maxi.
13:53 Centre by Rodriguez Maxi, clearance made by Christopher Samba.
12:32 Shot from just outside the box by Fernando Torres misses to the right of the target.
11:22 Martin Olsson delivers the ball, clearance by Daniel Agger. Morten Gamst Pedersen takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jose Reina.
10:50 Free kick awarded for a foul by Rodriguez Maxi on Martin Olsson. Paul Robinson takes the direct free kick.
10:17 Rodriguez Maxi crosses the ball, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.
9:50 Javier Mascherano produces a cross, clearance made by Christopher Samba.
8:30 Free kick awarded for a foul by Nikola Kalinic on Jamie Carragher. Direct free kick taken by Jamie Carragher. Nikola Kalinic
is adjudged to have handled the ball. Free kick taken by Jamie Carragher.
7:45 Fernando Torres fouled by Steven Nzonzi, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed by Fabio Aurelio, Martin Olsson manages
to make a clearance.
5:13 Free kick awarded for a foul by Nikola Kalinic on Daniel Agger. Direct free kick taken by Fabio Aurelio.
4:43 Martin Olsson produces a left-footed effort from long distance that goes harmlessly over the bar.
3:39 The ball is crossed by David Hoilett, Daniel Agger manages to make a clearance.
2:26 Inswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the right by-line played to the near post, save by Jose Reina.
2:19 El-Hadji Diouf produces a cross, clearance made by Daniel Agger.
1:13 El-Hadji Diouf takes a inswinging corner to the near post, Christopher Samba takes a shot. Comfortable save by Jose Reina.
0:00 The game begins.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Benitez mocks Blackburn’s style

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez sarcastically compared Blackburn’s style to European champions Barcelona after his team beat Rovers on Sunday.

Benitez saw his team win a physical encounter and then stoked up his feud with Rovers boss Sam Allardyce.

“I think it is a model for all the managers around the world, their style of football, his behaviour,” he said of Rovers tactics and their manager.

“The style of football, I think, Barcelona are thinking of copying.”

Benitez suffered his first defeat in the Premier League in a match against a Bolton side managed by Allardyce in 2004.

Former Reds defender Sami Hyppia suffered a broken nose early in that contest and the relationship between the two managers has been fractious ever since.

Allardyce accused Benitez of showing a lack of respect after a gesture during Liverpool’s 4-0 win against Rovers last season.

And the Blackburn boss said in the build-up to Sunday’s game that Liverpool had been reduced to a team scrapping for points as the battle to finish fourth in the Premier League hots up.

Asked about Allardyce’s comments, Benitez added: “It doesn’t matter – we won.

“We try to do our talking on the pitch. If they are pleased with the way they play under this manager it is their decision.

“They have a style and they are a team that plays this way under this manager.

“Some people have to talk before the press conference or after because it is more difficult for them to do a football job.”

Benitez was unhappy with the physical approach of Blackburn on Sunday.

Steven Nzonzi was yellow carded after pushing Lucas in the face at Anfield and Benitez clearly thought the Blackburn player should have been sent off.

“See the replay of the incident, it was very clear,” added the Reds boss.

“We have had four of five players with problems, bleeding, and Maxi with stud (marks) in his abdomen. Interesting – but we won.”

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres scored as Liverpool won for the first time in three attempts in the Premier League.

But it was a match that occasionally threatened to boil over, with Gerrard and El-Hadji Diouf exchanging angry words before half-time and the duo had to be separated as they walked off at the interval.

“It is an unfortunate reflection on our performance that we had about 25 fouls and five cards against us,” added Allardyce.

“But unfortunately when we come to places like this they are very good at swaying things their way.”

And Allardyce mounted a stern defence of his pre-match comments about Liverpool.

“It was only because Liverpool have a go at me and because I am entitled to respond when I get criticised by Rafa Benitez,” said the Rovers boss.

“If you don’t understand that over the last few years you must be deluded.

“Not this time but many other times I have been criticised personally by the manager – all I said was they got six bookings at Manchester City away so they are digging games out now rather than the flowing football they played last year.”

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina sustained a shoulder injury after the break challenging for the ball but was able to carry on.

“We knew it would be a tough game and nothing surprised us,” he said.

“They play that way and to be honest I felt a little under-protected, but the most important thing was that we won.”

The win lifted Liverpool to within one point of Tottenham as they continue the battle for fourth spot – and saw Torres start a game for the first time since 13 January.

“We know it will be tough until the end but we have to keep going,” added Benitez.

“But it is always important to have players back and feeling fresh.”

Rovers have won once away from home in the Premier League this season – and Allardyce pointed to a lack of composure in front of goal when explaining his team’s failure to take something from Anfield.

“Our problem is that we did not have a goalscorer to finish off our good work and chances,” he said. “If we did we would have had a draw at least.

“That has been our downfall away from home all season. It was disappointing we did not convert at least one of our openings before Gerrard opened the scoring.

“In the second half we again did more than them but our failure in front of goal cost us.”

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Nelsen injury concerns Allardyce

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce fears New Zealand defender Ryan Nelsen may have suffered a knee injury in the 3-0 victory over Bolton on Sunday.

Just before half-time Blackburn captain Nelsen, 32, had to come off after a collision with Ricardo Gardner.

“I’m hoping that he’s twisted his ankle and not his knee,” Allardyce told the Blackburn website.

“But he was holding his knee which was the big problem for me and I think it’s his one where he’s had surgery before.”

New Zealand, who will compete in only their second World Cup in South Africa this summer, will also be waiting anxiously to discover the extent of the injury to All Whites captain Nelsen

“It’ll be 48 hours before we can tell and we’ll keep our fingers crossed, not just for us but for him,” added Allardyce.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Blackburn in double fitness boost

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has been handed a boost with the news that midfielders Vince Grella and Yildiray Basturk could face Bolton on Sunday.

Both international players featured in Blackburn’s reserves’ 3-0 victory at Wigan with Grella completing 90 minutes and Basturk 78.

Australian Grella has not played a first team match since injuring his thigh in December.

Turkey star Basturk is yet to feature since his January move from Stuttgart.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Fan’s death marked before match

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Blackburn Rovers have marked the death of supporter John Taylor with a minute’s silence before their Premier League game with Hull.

Players wore black armbands out of respect for Mr Taylor, 30, who died while attending Blackburn’s game at Stoke on Saturday.

He was treated at the scene for a head injury but died later in hospital.

“Our sympathies go out to his family. We will do our utmost in terms of respect,” said manager Sam Allardyce.

“It is a great tragedy that has happened,” added the Blackburn boss.

Man arrested

“I have never heard anything like this in my entire life. It is a great shame.

“If it helps the family in some way, we will get them a win and three valuable points.”

The team succeeded in this, and won 1-0 before the crowd and Mr Taylor’s family at Ewood Park.

Speaking after the game, Rovers’ defender Martin Olssen said: “When we were stood there during the one minute silence we all thought of his family and how terrible it must be.

“We wore the armbands in respect for him, all our thoughts are with his loved ones.”

Police arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with Mr Taylor’s death and have subsequently released him on bail pending further inquiries.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Stoke 3-0 Blackburn

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

Stoke produced an outstanding display in Tony Pulis’ 300th match in charge to leapfrog Blackburn in the table.

Danny Higginbotham opened the scoring with a sweet left-foot volley after Rovers failed to clear a corner.

And Mamady Sidibe tapped home the second from a Matthew Etherington cross in first-half stoppage-time.

Christopher Samba was sent off for a blatant tug on Ricardo Fuller before Etherington exchanged passes with Liam Lawrence and curled in the third.

Pulis will take great pride from a victory which ensures Stoke are still unbeaten in 2010, with eight points from four league games and FA Cup wins over York and Arsenal.

Tony Pulis

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Pulis talks up duo’s England chances

Meanwhile, Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce will be wondering how his side could produce such an anaemic display after an encouraging run of one defeat in six league games.

Pulis acknowledged the crowd’s applause as he jogged his way to the dugout on his landmark match in two spells at the helm.

The Stoke boss made four changes to the side which played out an uninspiring goalless draw against Sunderland, with Andy Wilkinson, Lawrence, Rory Delap and Fuller all drafted into the starting line-up.

Stoke made the brighter start and grabbed the game’s opening goal after only eight minutes.

Some tidy interplay between Fuller and Etherington won a corner on the left and, when Lawrence’s delivery was only half-cleared, Higginbotham composed himself to lash a volley low into the net.

Blackburn almost scored with their first real opening against the run of play when Morten Gamst Pedersen’s chipped cross presented Franco Di Santo with the simplest of headers, but the former Chelsea striker cleared the bar from six yards out.

Rovers began to impose themselves as the half wore on and bombarded the Stoke goal with a succession of corners.

Samba came closest to scoring but his header was cleared off the line by Dean Whitehead.

Predictably, both teams were at their most dangerous from set-pieces, and Stoke’s second goal followed a trademark long throw from Delap.

The ball was cleared as far as Etherington, who cut inside from the left and delivered a cross to the far post, where Sidibe stole ahead of his marker and tucked the ball home from close-range.

The home side continued to dictate things in the second period with most of the play orchestrated by the outstanding Etherington.

His corner presented Ryan Shawcross with a free header, which Paul Robinson kept out with a brilliant one-handed save.

Moments later, Rovers were down to 10 men when Samba was shown a second yellow as he held back Fuller while the striker was looking to break into space.

Sam Allardyce

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

Big decisions went against us – Allardyce

Robinson produced another excellent stop to keep out a Fuller header before Etherington put the result beyond doubt with a fine goal.

The diminutive winger dribbled in from the left flank, played a textbook one-two with Lawrence, before checking and curling the ball just inside Robinson’s far post.

His final shot was slightly scuffed but the goal was richly deserved from a man who is now the club’s joint top-scorer with five and has created more than 30% of his team’s goals this season.

Stoke took their foot off the pedal for the last 20 minutes as their army of fans basked in the glory of a performance worthy of an occasion billed as Sir Stanley Matthews Day in honour of the club legend.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis on Etherington:
“I don’t think I have to talk Matty up any more, his performances speak for themselves.

If he was at a different club a lot more people would be talking him up.

“Matty and Ryan Shawcross have both been outstanding – people have asked me about them and hopefully with a bit of luck, you never know.”

Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce:
“The first goal is disappointing because we know how dangerous Stoke are from set-pieces.

“Then the ref misses a handball by Dean Whitehead on the line – that’s a crucial decision that’s gone against us.

“They’ve put the ball in the net twice and when we’ve had the opportunity to do that we haven’t done it.”

Live text and stats

Saturday, 6 February 2010

Premier League

Final Result
Full Time
90:00+4:13 The referee blows for the end of the match.
90:00+4:00 Inswinging corner taken by Matthew Etherington.
90:00+2:38 Ryan Nelsen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tuncay Sanli. Glenn Whelan takes a shot. Ryan Nelsen gets a
block in.
90:00+2:04 Liam Lawrence takes the free kick.
90:00+2:04 Booking Keith Andrews receives a caution.
90:00+1:56 Keith Andrews gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tuncay Sanli.
90:00+1:14 The assistant referee signals for offside against James Beattie. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
90:00+0:34 Substitution Glenn Whelan is brought on as a substitute for Rory Delap.
84:49 Free kick awarded for a foul by Brett Emerton on Andy Wilkinson. Direct free kick taken by Thomas Sorensen.
84:15 Corner taken right-footed by Liam Lawrence, Rory Delap takes a shot. Ryan Nelsen gets a block in.
83:17 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Etherington, Danny Higginbotham takes a shot. Blocked by Michel Salgado.
82:47 The ball is delivered by Morten Gamst Pedersen.
80:00 Paul Robinson takes the free kick.
80:00 Substitution James Beattie comes on in place of Mamady Sidibe.
80:00 Keith Andrews fouled by Dean Whitehead, the ref awards a free kick.
79:30 Martin Olsson crosses the ball.
78:03 Substitution (Stoke) makes a substitution, with Tuncay Sanli coming on for Ricardo Fuller.
77:39 The assistant referee signals for offside against Nikola Kalinic. Thomas Sorensen takes the indirect free kick.
75:54 Centre by Martin Olsson.
74:14 Short corner worked by Matthew Etherington. Danny Higginbotham produces a left-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box
which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
72:15 Paul Robinson takes the direct free kick.
72:15 Substitution Steven Reid is brought on as a substitute for Steven Nzonzi.
72:15 Booking Caution for Ricardo Fuller.
72:08 Ryan Nelsen fouled by Ricardo Fuller, the ref awards a free kick.
71:36 Liam Lawrence takes a shot. Blocked by Steven Nzonzi.
69:20 Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Nzonzi on Ricardo Fuller. Direct free kick taken by Matthew Etherington.
66:43 Assist on the goal came from Liam Lawrence.
66:43 GOAL – Matthew Etherington:Stoke 3 – 0 Blackburn Matthew Etherington finds the net with a goal from deep inside the penalty box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Stoke
3-0 Blackburn.
65:35 Shot by Robert Huth from outside the area goes high over the crossbar.
64:53 Corner from the right by-line taken by Matthew Etherington, Ricardo Fuller takes a shot. Paul Robinson makes a save.
64:22 Substitution Michel Salgado joins the action as a substitute, replacing Pascal Chimbonda.
63:12 Free kick awarded for a foul by Andy Wilkinson on Morten Gamst Pedersen. Brett Emerton shoots direct from the free kick.
60:37 Unfair challenge on Ryan Nelsen by Mamady Sidibe results in a free kick. Paul Robinson restarts play with the free kick.
60:08 Inswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Matthew Etherington, Danny Higginbotham takes a shot. Clearance by Martin
Olsson.
59:31 Corner taken by Matthew Etherington, clearance by Gael Givet.
58:16 Direct free kick taken by Thomas Sorensen.
58:16 Substitution Keith Andrews joins the action as a substitute, replacing Franco Di Santo.
58:16 Sent off Red card for Christopher Samba.
58:08 Christopher Samba gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ricardo Fuller.
57:46 A cross is delivered by Steven Nzonzi, Rory Delap manages to make a clearance.
55:46 Free kick awarded for a foul by Robert Huth on Nikola Kalinic. Strike comes in from Morten Gamst Pedersen from the free kick.
Morten Gamst Pedersen takes a shot. Ricardo Fuller gets a block in.
54:10 Corner taken by Matthew Etherington, Ryan Shawcross takes a shot. Save made by Paul Robinson.
52:49 Centre by Danny Higginbotham, Ryan Nelsen manages to make a clearance.
51:54 Thomas Sorensen takes the direct free kick.
51:54 Booking Steven Nzonzi goes into the referee’s book.
51:47 Free kick awarded for a foul by Steven Nzonzi on Dean Whitehead.
50:57 Matthew Etherington crosses the ball.
50:06 Mamady Sidibe gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ryan Nelsen. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
48:08 The official flags Nikola Kalinic offside. Thomas Sorensen takes the direct free kick.
45:01 The referee starts the second half.
Half Time
45:00+3:41 It is the end of the first-half.
45:00+1:54 Assist by Matthew Etherington.
45:00+1:54 GOAL – Mamady Sidibe:Stoke 2 – 0 Blackburn Mamady Sidibe scores a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Stoke 2-0 Blackburn.
45:00+0:12 Foul by Nikola Kalinic on Thomas Sorensen, free kick awarded. Thomas Sorensen takes the direct free kick.
44:40 Unfair challenge on Nikola Kalinic by Ryan Shawcross results in a free kick. Morten Gamst Pedersen crosses the ball in from
the free kick, save by Thomas Sorensen.
43:12 Liam Lawrence takes the inswinging corner, Martin Olsson makes a clearance.
42:53 The ball is crossed by Matthew Etherington, Ryan Nelsen gets a block in.
42:12 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Mamady Sidibe by Steven Nzonzi. Rory Delap takes the free kick.
Correction – 41:06 Unfair challenge on Liam Lawrence by Morten Gamst Pedersen results in a free kick. Thomas Sorensen takes the free kick.
41:06 Morten Gamst Pedersen concedes a free kick for a foul on Liam Lawrence. Ryan Shawcross restarts play with the free kick.
40:04 Steven Nzonzi takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
38:28 Franco Di Santo gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Andy Wilkinson. Ryan Shawcross takes the direct free kick.
Correction – 37:38 Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the outswinging corner, clearance by Robert Huth.
37:38 Outswinging corner taken by Steven Nzonzi from the left by-line, Robert Huth manages to make a clearance.
36:51 Booking The referee books Ryan Shawcross for unsporting behaviour.
36:48 Inswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen from the right by-line, Christopher Samba takes a shot. Blocked by Ryan Shawcross.
36:48 Booking Christopher Samba is cautioned by the ref for unsporting behaviour.
35:51 Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Ryan Nelsen takes a shot. Ryan Shawcross gets a block
in.
35:02 Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the outswinging corner, Christopher Samba takes a shot. Andy Wilkinson manages to make a clearance.
33:49 Inswinging corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen, save by Thomas Sorensen.
33:20 Corner taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen played to the near post, Dean Whitehead manages to make a clearance.
32:23 Andy Wilkinson challenges Morten Gamst Pedersen unfairly and gives away a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed
by Morten Gamst Pedersen, save made by Thomas Sorensen.
31:24 Brett Emerton gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Matthew Etherington. Matthew Etherington takes the free kick.
Rory Delap takes a shot. Save made by Paul Robinson.
31:07 The ball is crossed by Martin Olsson, save by Thomas Sorensen.
28:48 Nikola Kalinic challenges Danny Higginbotham unfairly and gives away a free kick. Thomas Sorensen takes the free kick.
28:07 Ryan Nelsen gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Ricardo Fuller. Free kick crossed left-footed by Matthew Etherington
from right channel, Ryan Nelsen makes a clearance.
25:59 Foul by Nikola Kalinic on Andy Wilkinson, free kick awarded. Thomas Sorensen restarts play with the free kick.
24:44 Foul by Nikola Kalinic on Andy Wilkinson, free kick awarded. Thomas Sorensen takes the free kick.
24:21 Dean Whitehead gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Martin Olsson. Morten Gamst Pedersen takes the direct free
kick.
23:37 Brett Emerton takes a shot. Ryan Shawcross gets a block in.
21:55 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Matthew Etherington from the right by-line, Gael Givet manages to make a clearance.
21:50 Mamady Sidibe delivers the ball, blocked by Ryan Nelsen.
19:26 The ball is delivered by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Franco Di Santo produces a header from deep inside the six-yard box that clears
the bar.
17:54 Unfair challenge on Ricardo Fuller by Ryan Nelsen results in a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Matthew
Etherington.
15:14 Close range header by Ryan Shawcross goes over the bar.
13:44 Foul by Gael Givet on Mamady Sidibe, free kick awarded. Ryan Shawcross takes the direct free kick.
12:32 Free kick awarded for a foul by Mamady Sidibe on Brett Emerton. Morten Gamst Pedersen crosses the ball in from the free kick,
save by Thomas Sorensen.
10:39 Inswinging corner taken by Matthew Etherington, Foul by Ricardo Fuller on Pascal Chimbonda, free kick awarded. Paul Robinson
restarts play with the free kick.
10:29 Ricardo Fuller crosses the ball, Gael Givet gets a block in.
9:49 Franco Di Santo concedes a free kick for a foul on Thomas Sorensen. Thomas Sorensen restarts play with the free kick.
9:13 Robert Huth gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nikola Kalinic. Direct free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
7:56 GOAL – Danny Higginbotham:Stoke 1 – 0 Blackburn Danny Higginbotham fires in a goal from inside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Stoke 1-0 Blackburn.
7:35 The ball is swung over by Matthew Etherington, blocked by Christopher Samba. Corner taken by Liam Lawrence from the left by-line
played to the near post,
6:44 Franco Di Santo fouled by Rory Delap, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Paul Robinson.
6:36 A cross is delivered by Rory Delap.
5:01 Steven Nzonzi challenges Matthew Etherington unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Thomas Sorensen.
4:31 Corner from the left by-line taken by Morten Gamst Pedersen, Rory Delap manages to make a clearance.
4:25 The ball is swung over by Brett Emerton, Ryan Shawcross manages to make a clearance.
1:49 Rory Delap fouled by Brett Emerton, the ref awards a free kick. Danny Higginbotham crosses the ball in from the free kick,
Christopher Samba makes a clearance.
0:00 The match gets underway.

Live text and data provided by The Press Association.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more

Man hurt at Stoke match dies

Filed under: Blackburn Rovers by: admin

A 30-year-old man who was injured during a Premier League football match at Stoke City has died in hospital.

John Steven Taylor, of Avallon Way, Darwen, Lancashire, was taken to hospital after being found unconscious during Saturday’s match.

Police were alerted to an incident in a concourse of the Britannia Stadium’s south stand, being used by Blackburn fans, just after 1600 GMT.

A 25-year-old man from Preston arrested over the incident has been bailed.

Police said, following a Home Office post-mortem examination on Sunday, that the cause of death was due to a head injury.

Blackburn said it was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the death of a supporter.

In a statement on its website, the club said it “wishes to pass on sincere condolences to the man’s family at this deeply distressing time”.

‘Deepest sympathies’

Mr Taylor was thought to have been hit on the head with a bin.

Staffordshire Police said the injured man was initially treated at the scene for a head injury and cardiac arrest by staff from West Midlands Ambulance Service and St John Ambulance.

The fan was resuscitated at the scene and then taken to hospital.

A police spokesman said: “A 30-year-old man was pronounced dead at 1.55am this morning at University Hospital North Staffordshire.

“The circumstances are being fully investigated and a 25-year-old man remains in custody and is helping police with their inquiries.”

Ch Insp Adrian Roberts, match commander at the game which saw Stoke beat Blackburn Rovers 3-0, said there were just over 1,300 Blackburn fans at the game, and no Stoke fans were involved in the incident.

A police spokesman said the family of the victim were aware of the man’s death.

He said: “Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family at this time.”

‘Terrible tragedy’

Martin Smith, editor of The Oatcake, a Stoke City fanzine, said: “All football fans… are a fellowship, you know a brotherhood. We all go through the same things.

“We all attend the match to watch our team, support our team, and when something like this happens, we all feel it.

“Rivalry goes out of the window completely and we see ourselves as what we are, football supporters, and it’s a terrible tragedy.”

Malcolm Clarke, chair of the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “It clearly wasn’t in any way related to violence or anything like that between home and away supporters.

“It just sounds like a terrible tragedy, the circumstances of which we don’t know.”

Stoke City reported information from the Staffordshire force on its website but said on Sunday it would make no further comment at this moment in time as the matter was being investigated by police.

Print Sponsor

Comments (0) Read more