Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 Middlesbrough

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Saturday Jan 19 2008 03:00

The Comeback Kings of the Premier League were forced to do it again in a fiery encounter at Ewood Park.

Middlesbrough's David Wheater had headed the visitors in front from an early Stewart Downing free-kick, before Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire snatched a point for the home side ten minutes after coming on from the bench.

It was the ninth time this season that Rovers have come from behind to claim a positive result in their pursuit for a top-six finish.

Before the game, Rovers boss Mark Hughes made just one alteration to the side that defeated local rivals Bolton last weekend, with Jason Roberts rewarded for his last-minute winner at the expense of Benni McCarthy.

Middlesbrough meanwhile made two changes to the side that held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw, with Emanuel Pogatetz preferred to Jonathan Grounds and Julio Arca returning from suspension in place of Fabio Rochemback.

After a dismal start, in which neither side had registered any real attack of note, came the opening goal that the game desperately needed.

Thirteen minutes were on the clock when the visitors were awarded a dubious free-kick on the right, Downing swung over the cross and Wheater rose above Rovers skipper Ryan Nelsen to head past Brad Friedel from close range.

The home side had an opportunity to equalise just three minutes later, but Roque Santa Cruz failed to get any power on his header from David Bentley's ball in.

A Bentley free-kick was then comfortably dealt with by Mark Schwarzer, before a speculative Andre Ooijer volley had to be palmed round the post by the Aussie keeper.David Dunn and Arca exchanged ambitious long-range efforts, while Bentley fizzed a left-foot shot just past the post, as an altogether disappointing first-half display came to an end.

Middlesbrough replaced Arca for Rochemback at the break and the Brazilian midfielder almost set up the visitors' second with a precise ball over the top to Jeremie Aliadiere, but after bearing down on goal, the Frenchman fired just wide of the far post.

Two minutes later, Aliadiere found himself in a similar position inside the box, but after squaring to strike partner Tuncay Sanli, the former Fenerbahce forward mis-kicked with the goal at his mercy and Stephen Warnock cleared off his own line.

On 63 minutes, a thunderous Rochemback free-kick was only parried by Friedel and Gary O'Neil's follow-up went straight into the goalkeeper's grasp. And moments later, a firm but fair challenge by Nelsen on Aliadiere almost caused a ruckus between Hughes and the Boro bench.

The visitors continued to look the more dangerous in attack and Wheater almost grabbed his second from O'Neil's lofted cross, but the defender's towering header came crashing back off the underside of the bar.

But against the run of play, Rovers got back on level terms. A Bentley free-kick was flicked on by Santa Cruz, Roberts' left-foot shot was heading well wide, but Derbyshire was on hand to tap home at the far post.

As both sides pushed for the winner, Downing had a header cleared off the line, Bentley glanced the outside of the post with another free-kick, while Aliadiere somehow headed over from point-blank range, with the two managers forced to settle for a point.

  • 90
    The referee blows the full time whistle and Middlesbrough take a point despite totally dominating proceedings at Ewood Park.
  • 90
    How did he miss that? Jeremie Aliadiere found himself absolutely free at the back post for 'Boro after a great ball into the area by Rochemback, but the Frenchman missed the ball completely.
  • 90
    The fourth official indicates three minutes of added time.
  • 89
    Both teams are pushing for the three points and surely Middlesbrough have been made to pay for their missed chances.
  • 88
    David Bentley will not trouble Middlesbrough with the cross he has just made, with the ball falling directly under the crossbar and into Schwarzer's safe hands.
  • 87
    Any side could snatch a winning goal in the closing minutes of the game as this entertaining second half continues to deliver.
  • 84
    Blackburn are very much on top of the game now, and are pushing forward but leaving themselves wide open at the back.
  • 82
    Blackburn won a free kick just outside the area which was nearly as good as a penalty with David Bentley on it, 'Boro needed a Mark Schwarzer fingertip to deny a brilliant effort by Bentley.
  • 80
    An incredible end to the game here at Ewood Park and another great opportunity for 'Boro as they piled the pressure on Blackburn and Andre Ooijer forced to clear the ball off his own goal line, and Blackburn escape yet again.
  • 77
    Middlesbrough continue to dominate the game and possession of the ball despite Blackburn's equaliser.
  • 75
    GOAL! BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH - Matt Derbyshire makes Middlesbrough pay for their missed chances as he side-footed the ball into an empty net after Jason Roberts' scuffed shot.
  • 74
    Gary O'Nell talks himself into the referee's notebook for complaining about Samba's booking.
  • 74
    Christopher Samba is booked for apparently catching Gary O'Neil in the face.
  • 73
    Fabio Rochemback is booked for dissent by referee Stroud.
  • 71
    David Bentley's cross wasn't anything like he is used to, and Mark Hughes is going mad after a terrible effort to get the ball into the penalty area for Blackburn.
  • 68
    David Wheater smashes the ball off the crossbar for Middlesbrough as the ball fell to him inside the penalty area and he headed it towards goal, perhaps the Teessiders will rue these missed chances come the end of the game.
  • 66
    Mark Hughes is going mad inside his technical area as Keith Stroud blew for a foul against Blackburn and missed a nasty two-footed tackle by Rochemback just after the whistle had been blown.
  • 64
    David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen are replaced by Matt Derbyshire and Brett Emerton.
  • 61
    Gary O'Neil should of scored his first goal in the league for Middlesbrough as Rochemback smashes a free kick at goal and deflected into the penalty area, and there was O'Neill to send his effort straight into the hands of Friedel.
  • 59
    Yet another chance for Southgate's side, this time Jeremie Aliadiere caused more problems with his movement in behind Blackburn and laid the ball off for Gary O'Neill to shoot at goal but his effort was well saved by Friedel.
  • 57
    'Boro are piling the pressure on Blackburn and enjoying the majority of the possession, but they are going to have to convert their possession into goals and take one of the many chances they are creating.
  • 56
    Fabio Rochemback has been inspirational since his arrival at half time for Middlesbrough and Gareth Southgate will be pleased with his substitution.
  • 54
    Middlesbrough should have doubled their lead again with a fabulous opportunity for Tuncay, after Rochemback played a lovely ball over the top for Jeremie Aliadiere to cross for the Turkish striker to completely miss the ball from close range.
  • 52
    Jeremie Aliadiere should of perhaps squared the ball to Gary O'Neil but he went for the glory after he broke through the Blackburn defence and drove his shot wide of the far post.
  • 51
    George Boateng is the first player to goes into the referee's notebook for a late tackle on David Dunn.
  • 50
    A surprising little development in the Middlesborough camp, with skipper for the day Julio Arca being substituted the captains armband has gone to Emmanuel Pogatetz despite club captain George Boateng playing in midfield today.
  • 48
    Blackburn look as though they've had the hairdryer treatment from Mark Hughes at half time and showed their intent for the second half as David Bentley advanced down the right and whipped in a dangerous cross.
  • 46
    A half time substitution for Middlesbrough with Fabio Rochemback replacing the struggling Julio Arca.
  • 46
    Middlesborough get us back underway in the second half.
  • 45
    Half time here at Ewood Park and 'Boro go into the break with a deserved lead.
  • 45
    There will a minimum of one minute added time.
  • 44
    Tuncay picked the ball up in his own half and drove forward through the Blackburn midfield but his cross wasn't half as good as his run and Jeremie Aliadiere couldn't reach his cross.
  • 42
    Gareth Southgate came out into his technical area and pointed to his head whilst screaming at Boateng, urging his team to concentrate and keep their lead until the half time break.
  • 40
    George Boateng made a silly mistake giving away a foul five yards outside the penalty area but the usually precise David Bentley curled his free kick over the wall but over the bar as well.
  • 38
    Julio Arca this took his turn in shooting from long range, but his effort was poor and never looked like being on target as soon as it left his foot.
  • 36
    It was Blackburn this time who should of scored after some poor defending from 'Boro, Downing's poor clearance almost let in Santa Cruz but luckily for them the ball span away from his feet and the away side escapes again.
  • 34
    Middlesbrough deserved a goal just for the attempted build up of a chance for Tuncay, Downing made a beautiful cross field ball for Luke Young who set up O'Neil to volley the ball into the penalty area but Tuncay couldn't make a connection.
  • 32
    David Dunn again tried an audacious powerful drive from around twenty five yards out, the ball moved quickly along the surface but went just past the post.
  • 31
    Middlesbrough are under some pressure at the moment and are not helping themselves by defending so deep, George Boateng is trying to encourage his defence to move out a little quicker when the ball is cleared from the danger area.
  • 29
    Julio Arca definately does not look comfortable and may have picked up an injury just after the goal, with Fabio Rochembach warming up down the side of the pitch just incase the Argentine has to come off.
  • 27
    Andre Ooijer of all people found himself in an excellent position as the ball fell to him in the air and the defender acrobatically volleyed the ball right footed at goal, but Mark Schwarzer parried his effort away from the goal mouth.
  • 24
    We all know how good David Dunn's long range shooting is but the midfielder tried his effort from about thirty yards out and the ball flew wide of the goal.
  • 22
    Sanli Tuncay was so close to connecting to a precise ball over the top from Stewart Downing but it skipped off the surface away from him and into Brad Friedel's hands. Unlucky for 'Boro.
  • 20
    All it needed was the slightest of touches from Christopher Samba but the ball was an inch too high for his head and it fell into Schwarzer's safe hands luckily for Middlesborough.
  • 18
    George Boateng some how escapes a yellow card after deliberately handling the ball right in front of the referee.
  • 16
    Mark Schwarzer did well to save Santa Cruz's header from a another good cross into the penalty area by Bentley, and 'Boro ride the Blackburn storm.
  • 13
    BLACKBURN ROVERS 0 - 1 MIDDLESBROUGH: David Wheater puts 'Boro ahead with a simple header after a good run in behind Ryan Nelsen.
  • 11
    Julio Arca has made a poor start to the game for 'Boro and has been dispossessed nearly everytime he's been on the ball.
  • 9
    Blackburn won the first corner of the game but Pederson's delivery is scrambled clear from danger by Robert Huth.
  • 6
    Blackburn looked dangerous as they hit 'Boro on the counter attack, Roque Santa Cruz sent Morten Gamst Pedersen on his way but his through ball just got away from Jason Roberts.
  • 4
    The game has made a very scrappy start with the ball swapping possession in midfield.
  • 3
    Jason Roberts was penalised by referee Stroud after clattering into Robert Huth but he luckily escaped a booking.
  • 1
    Blackburn had the first half chance of the game with David Bentley getting past his man and whipping a dangerous ball into the penalty area, but unfortunately for Rovers there was no one on the end of it.
  • 0
    Blackburn get the game underway at Ewood Park.
  • 0
    The referee today is Keith Stroud (Hampshire).
  • 0
    Julio Arca returns from suspension comes back into the starting line-up, Emmanuel Pogatetz also returns after returning to training this week, but the game has come too soon for both Jonathan Woodgate and Mido.
  • 0
    David Dunn and Steven Reid continue in the centre of midfield with Tugay struggling with a hamstring injury and Aaron Mokoena on international duty at the African Cup of Nations. Jason Roberts also gets a deserved start.
  • 0
    Middlesbrough Line-up: Schwarzer, Young, Huth, Wheater, Pogatetz, O'Neil, Boateng, Arca, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere
  • 0
    Blackburn Rovers Line-up: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts

Statistics

Blackburn Rovers
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 9
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 7
Offsides 0
Corners 7

Middlesbrough
Shots on target 5
Shots off target 4
Shots off bar/post 1
Fouls 26
Offsides 1
Corners 3

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