Source: Daily_Mail
Blackburn 3 Wolves 0: Pedersen pulls the strings to send Wolves to rock bottom
First the apology, then the response.And it was just what Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce wanted from his players after a 7-1 drubbing by Manchester United. [LNB]'I apologised to our supporters who travelled to Old Trafford last week and this time we have sent them homehappy,' he said. 'I picked the strongest team I had available and aftera slow start, which woke us up, we came up with our best win of the season, have now won three in a row at home and are up to eighth place in the Premier League. [LNB]'We won't get any credit for that because we never do, but I couldn't have asked for more today.' [LNB] [LNB] Centre of attention: Brett Emerton is congratulated by Morten Gamst Pedersen and El-Hadji Diouf after making it 2-0[LNB] [LNB] [LNB] The game was up for Wolves when Ryan Nelsen redirected Morten Gamst Pedersen's free-kick beyond Wayne Hennessey to make it 3-0 early in the second half. [LNB]Wolves could have been 2-0 up in as many minutes themselves and were still warming Paul Robinson's fingertips in the dying moments of the contest. [LNB]In all, the former England goalkeeperproduced five splendid saves. Unfortunately for Wolves, there were alarming gaps in the centre of their defence and, as Allardyce's research had revealed, they had conceded 10 goals from set-pieces. [LNB]Head boy: David Dunn nods Blackburn into the lead[LNB]MATCH FACTS BLACKBURN ( 4-5 -1 ): Robinson; Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet; Emerton, Jones, Dunn (M Diouf 52min), Pedersen, EH Diouf (Morris 72); Roberts (Benjani 82). Subs (not used): Bunn, Kalinic, Hoilett, Hanley. [LNB]WOLVES ( 4-1-4 -1 ): Hennessey; Zubar, Mouyokolo (Ebanks-Blake 46), Berra,Elokobo; Mancienne (Hunt 52); Foley, Ward, Milijas, Jarvis; Doyle. Subs (not used): Hahnemann, Stearman, Bent, Winnall, Doherty. Booked: Berra, Hunt. Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire).[LNB]'We knew if we put the right balls into their box, we would be rewarded,' he said. [LNB]And they were. Twice. From Pedersen'scorner after 28 minutes and his second-half free-kick.[LNB] As Wolves are left to reflect on a seventh successive away defeat, they know it might have been very different if their early bombardment had reaped a dividend. [LNB]Matt Jarvis forced a fingertip save from Robinson in the very first minute and almost immediately Stephen Ward rapped a shot against an upright from Jarvis's pass, before Ronald Zubar's effort rebounded off the crossbar and then the post. [LNB]Blackburn had conceded after 71 seconds at Old Trafford so another bad start could have further damaged their confidence. [LNB]Instead, they survived and David Dunn's first goal of the season settled their nerves. Pedersen's deep corner kick was headed back across goal by Nelsen and Dunn met it firmlyenough to get the ball over the line. [LNB] Magic number: Ryan Nelsen celebrates Blackburn's third goal[LNB]StatAttack Brett Emerton's goal was his first in the Premier League at Ewood Park for five years but Wolves do not have the toughest defence - they are the only top-flight team yet to keep a clean sheet this season.[LNB]There was a suspicion of offside when Jason Roberts chased Michel Salgado's through-ball just before half-time but when he checked and laid it off, Brett Emerton's volley hummed into the roof of the net. [LNB]Blackburn's third goal, after 55 minutes, was the killer and they could have had more before Hunt forced two more instinctive saves from the excellent Robinson. [LNB]Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said: 'We defended badly and shouldn't have conceded the goals we did. [LNB]'We had a bit of misfortune in front of goal in the opening minutes but I would rather we had a clean sheet and an ugly point. We will just have to keep going.' [LNB] [LNB] Pascal Chimbonda set for Blackburn boot as Rovers tell defender he can leave in JanuaryWolves woe mounts as Craddock is KO'd till new year and Kightly faces opBLACKBURN ROVERS FC
