'Boro have a free-kick with Rochemback who puts the ball into the box but Friedel leaps like a salmon to grab the ball.

Appeals for a penalty not given as Viduka goes down in the box and 'Boro look desperate.

Viduka looks to put pressure on the Blackburn defence and his cross looks productive but Friedel jumps to catch the ball.

Blackburn look to bring on Michael Gray in an attempt to waste time.

Savage has an effort which is much like the rest of the shots today as it sails over the bar, but Blackburn won't be too worried with this as time runs out.

Emerton breaks into the box afdter tricks just outside the area and lines up a curling effort to the right corner which is saved brilliantly by Schwarzer.

Schwarzer has a moment of madness as he runs out of his area and has the ball taken off of him. Pedersen however cannot punish the 'keeper for his mistake.

Emerton has the ball on the wing and sends in a ball looking for McCarthy who has been quiet in this second half but Jonathan Woodgate is in place to cut out the ball.

Middlesborough are really forcing Blackburn back in the late stages of this game with a number of chances which are wasted but Blackburn will be worried by this sustained spell of pressure.Middlesbrough are really forcing Blackburn back in the late s

Viduka receives the ball from Cattermole and dribbles outside the box before unleashing a shot which beats Friedel but not the goal.

Lee Cattermole follows up a free-kick which is cleared with a volley on goal but the youngsters effort flies into the stand behind the goal.Lee Cattermole follows up a free-kick which is cleared with a volley on goal but the youngsters effort flies i

Tugay comes off for Aaron Mokoena as Blackburn look to plug up the defence.

Boro attack very quickly after Blackburn tried to get a second on the break and Viduka is unlucky not to score after Friedel pulls of a flying save.

Viduka looks to link up with Euell just outside the box and as Bentley runs back to defend he handballs.

Bentley is still as lively in this second half and sends in a sweeping cross but Schwarzer is at hand to collect.

Rochemback has a fierce shot from 25 yards which is deflected for a corner, the Spaniard runs across to take the dead ball and it runs out off the top of a Blackburn head for another corner.

Pdersen puts in a corner ball but Pogatez-whose head must be ringing- jumps up to clear the ball yet again.

Blackburn are enjoying most of the possesion in this second half with Friedel much of a by-stander so far in this game.

The ref overules his linesman and awards Blackburn a corner, much to the dismay of the home fans.

Yakubu runs into Ooijer who clears but the ball finds its way back to Viduka who plays in Euell but the stumbling forward fails to beat Friedel with his shot.

Euell runs down the wing and falls over as the fans claim a foul but the striker gets to his feet only to be tackled again enraging the 'Boro support but it's a fair challenge.

Ooijer plays an awful ball back to Friedel and the American does well to find a outfield collegue but the ball has to be cleared out of play.

Savage cynically takes down davies and a free-kick is awarded. The dead-ball delivery is poor and Savage breaks, the Welshman looks up for McCarthy but Davies is back to pick up the pieces.

The striker receives a card for a foul on Savage which the ref decides is worthy of a booking.

Blackburn have a free-kick 30 yards from goal which Pedersen sends into the middle of the box but Davies gets up excellently to clear.

Rochemback plays a ball towards Taylor but the youngster can't collect and the pair exchange words.

Middlesborough have changes their formation and it looks to be working as the tempo of the match rises a couple of notches with the home side pushing Blackburn back.

Blackburn earn a corner as the ball comes off Taylor. Pedersen takes the corner but Viduka is there to head it clear.

Benedict McCarthy has his first real shot on goal from the edge of the area but his shot flashes just pas tthe right hand post.

Tugay caught offside as he tried to spring the trap, with Woodgate and Pogatez stranded.

Blackburn begin to control the game after their opening goal with the home team looking surprisingly nervous in this first period.

Bentley goes down injured and the ball is kicked out of play as the Blackburn winger receives treatment.

Rochemback runs down the wing and sends in a pin-point cross for newboy Euell whose header dribbles just wide of the up-rights.

Jason Euell sees his header saved by Friedel after pulling away from his markers in the box.

The corner is taken by Pedersen but the winger can't find a team-mate.

Nonda makes a run into the corner and wins a corner for the visiting team.

Neill is having a good game at the back, clearing everything that comes his way as Blackburn continue to keep 'Boro quiet so far.

Yakubu tries to use his strength just wide of the Blackburn box but his collegues fail to help out and Blackburn get the ball clear.

Fabio Rochemback is robbed by Savage in midfield but his ball towards Gamst-Pedersen is left by Woodgate to roll to Schwarzer.Fabio Rochemback is robbed by Savage in midfield but his ball towards Gamst-Pedersen is left by Woodgate to roll to Schwarze

Robbie Savage is playing as he always does flying in and gives away a foul in the middle of the park.

Lucas Neill comes forward after calls from Morten Gamst Pedersen for the captain to move up-field amd the skipper puts in a curling cross which is well intercepted by Emanuel Pogatetz.

'Boro have a good spell of possesion and win a corner which is taken by Rochemback. The ball sails over the heads and is cleared just as Yakubu rises to nod goalwards.

Lucas Neill fouls Rochemback wide on the right and as the referee gives the foul, the 'Boro fans are enraged as they feel play on should have been given.

Bentley is the liveliest of all the players out on the pitch in the early stages, earning the ball as well as looking like Blackburn's target man.

Lucas Neill looks up and plays a great ball in for Shabani Nonda who unleashes a volley straight at Mark Schwarzer.

David Bentley has another shot on goal as Brett Emerton screams for the ball on the wing, Bentley's shot however sails wide.

Both sides look as though they are reluctant to slow the game down as tackles fly in down both flanks but the match is being played in good spirits.

Yakubu has a shot on goal after a great ball by James Morrison but Friedel is there to gather easily.

Blackburn have a free-kick after Robbie Savage is fouled. Morten Gamst Pedersen strikes it, yet he puts too much power into his strike and it flies into the stand.

Aiyegbeni Yakubu shows great strength and then sends the ball out wide to Gaizka Mendieta but he is tackeld by Andre Ooijer and the ball is played back to Friedel.

The match has started very lively with corners and shots a regular feature early on, both sides desperate for points.

David Bentley has a shot from the edge of the box which ricochets off Fabio Rochemback and runs to safety.

Middlesborough start with:Mark Schwarzer Andrew Davies Jonathan Woodgate Emanuel Pogatetz Andrew Taylor Stuart Parnaby James Morrison Jason Euell Fabio Rochemback Gaizka Mendieta Aiyegbeni Yakubu Blackburn line up with: Brad Friedel Brett Emerton And