Blackburn Rovers 0 - 2 Manchester United

October 8, 2008

Blackburn Rovers kicked off untraditionally towards the Blackburn Stand. As is a traditional tactic used more currently this season. The fans are never happy about this and I’m unsure of the positives, except the chance to attack towards your fans when it’s most important, in the first half. As a Blackburn season ticket payer myself I get annoyed because I paid for expensive seats in the Jack Walker Stand so that I can see my team attacking in the second half. Manchester United brought strong support as usual to Ewood. Some united fans were even sat in and around the home fans which dulled the atmosphere.

The First half was the closest of the two, Blackburn were able to maintain Manchester United for the majority of the game through their midfield and attack. Blackburn were even able to create openings in the Unites defence, Derbyshire, Emerton and Santa Cruz were all causing United’s defence trouble. The most obvious chance came to Derbyshire, a perfectly weighted through ball from Ooijer left the England U21 striker in a 1 on 1 situation with Edwin Van Der Sar. Van Der Sar saved well and the United defence scrabbled the ball away. Blackburn could not build upon this and United grabbed their first goal In controversial circumstances. A cross whipped in well by Rooney was headed into the goal by Wes Brown. What was controversial about this goal was that Jason Brown was on the floor having been obstructed by Vidic and Brown.
Second Half

The second half was much more United dominated, only a brilliant performance by Jason Brown kept the score at 1- 0. Brown gave another performance that I feel gives him the right to keep the goalkeeper jersey. Robinson could be in for a frustrating few weeks whilst Brown is in this form, saving brilliantly from Ronaldo and a 1 on 1 with Dimitar Berbatov. Another great safe was from Andersons driven shot. Brown played out of his skin. Even Brown though couldn’t stop Rooney grabbing a well placed second, a perfectly weighted ball by Ronaldo found Rooney on the edge of a box, he cleverly turned his marker and placed a Thierry Henry style goal. Santa Cruz gave a sold performance for Rovers but had to be subbed in the 51st minute after picking up an injury which means he will Miss Paraguay’s world cup qualifiers. He will be a great miss to Paraguay who are top of the South American qualifying league. Rooney was subbed with applaud from both sets of fans, Park his replacement had too little time to make too much of an impact.

I was pleased with how Rovers played in the first half, they were quick and closed down the United players well, giving United very little chance to create goal scoring opportunities. After Wes Browns controversial goal it went downhill for Rovers. The goal sparked United in life during the second half. They out played a tired looking Blackburn midfield. Inch again brought on Keith Andrews to which myself and fans around me gave an almighty sigh. Andrews did very little; again he looked like he would rather be playing against easier opposition and seemed to be lacking energy despite only playing the final quarter of the game. I can’t really fault the Rovers lads because we didn’t really expect to win this, although it would have been nice. United are a hugely strong side and their first 11 in my opinion if the best in the league. I feel they will be close to the top of the league come the end, 2nd at least with Chelsea closest to them.

Player Ratings
Blackburn Rovers
Brown - 8
Samba - 5
Olsson - 6
Ooijer - 6
Warnock - 6
Nelson - 5
Pedersen - 5
Emerton - 7
Tugay - 6
Derbyshire - 6
Roque Santa Cruz - 7

Subs
Treacy – 5
Andrews – 4
Roberts- 5

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