FT:Blackburn 3-1 Wigan: Blackburn dominated second period with Roque Santa Cruz scoring another fine header before Palacios followed Samba for an early bath.
90
We are into added time and to be honest the game has been over ever since the third Blackburn goal.
89
Substitution
Roque Santa Cruz exits to a standing ovation as he is replaced late on by Benni McCarthy.
86
The crowd are enjoying themselves now as they result looks safe, Brad Friedel has had little to do all afternoon in fairness.
83
Substitution
David Dunn has put in a really good shift in midfield today and he is replaced now by Aaron Mokoena.
79
Substitution
Rovers are making a change now as Jason Roberts gets a well earned rest as Tugay replaces him.
77
Yellow Card
David Bentley is booked for simulation - diving - which is disappointing to see from the England man.
75
There is nothing really happening at the moment - Pedersen struck one from range but it was straight at Kirkland.
72
The tempo has really died down now with Rovers happy with the lead and Wigan surely not believing they have any chance of turning things around.
69
Red Card
Surely it is game over now as Wilson Palacios collects his second yellow card for a poor challenge and surely with him goes Wigan's slight hopes of recovery.
67
Blackburn now look very comfortable with the two goal lead and despite being a man down they seem to be dealing with Wigan quite easily.
64
Substitution
Marlon King now departs and former Rovers striker Marcus Bent does not come on in his place, too little too late possibly now for the Latics though.
63
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 3-1 Wigan: (63mins) Santa Cruz heads home superbly from a pinpoint Bentley cross and that could seal all the points.
61
Yellow Card
Mario Melchiot is booked for dissent as he complains about a decision to award the home side a corner.
60
As the hour mark passes Steve Bruce appears to be readying Marcus Bent for action.
57
Rovers are limiting Wigan to a few snap shots from long range and there appears to be a lack of creativity in the Latics side.
54
It has been a really slow start to this second half with Blackburn still enjoying the better of it, I would be surprised if Steve Bruce did not make a change soon.
51
Blackburn want a penalty now as Santa Cruz goes down under challenge from Melchiot - it could have given although but he did make contact with both ball and man.
49
Ryan Taylor tries his luck from long range to try and spark Wigan into life but it is comfortable over the cross bar.
Second half
The second period is underway and Wigan will need to improve drastically if they are going to take something from Ewood Park.
Half time
HT:Blackburn 2-1 Wigan: Blackburn hold a deserved lead despite being reduced to ten men and Wigan have failed to take any sort of advantage in the first half.
45
There are five minutes of added time to be played in the snow of Ewood Park.
45
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 2-1 Wigan: (45mins) Superb finish from Roberts as he latches onto Santa Cruz's through ball before rolling it under Kirkland to put the 10 men deservedly in front.
44
Steve Bruce will be disappointed with his side''s failure to test Brad Friedel given the man advantage they have and Blackburn still appear to be the most likely to score.
42
In fact Taylor is going to go to the left of midfield with Kevin KIlbane dropping back to left back.
41
Substitution
On in place of Edman comes Ryan Taylor who is more at home at right back than left back.
40
Erik Edman is now receiving lengthy treatment and is going off in a leg brace on a stretcher which looks like it will be a very serious injury.
37
David Bentley is Blackburn's resident free-kick specialist and he beats Kirkland all ends up here but it rebounds back off the post and Wigan survive.
34
So far the ten men of Blackburn are doing well and Wigan are yet to really take any advantage of the extra player they have.
31
The crowd are up in arms again as Bentley is felled by Michael Brown - the midfielder complains but it was a blatant foul.
30
Finally the game has slowed down somewhat as the ball goes out of play on a number of occasions as Wigan try to clear their lines.
26
Kilbane now curls in a free-kick to the back post where Boyce arrives late and although he can't keep his header down it shows how effective Wigan could be from set-pieces now.
25
The atmosphere is suddenly really intense as the home fans vent their anger at the decision to dismiss Samba, although it certainly appeared to be the correct decision.
23
Snap shot on the volley from Santa Cruz as he latches onto a Roberts knock down and forces a good diving parry from Kirkland.
20
Blackburn are going to have to alter things now and Steven Reid appears to have slotted in at right back for now with Roberts moving to the right wing and Bentley into the centre.
17
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 1-1 Wigan: (17mins) Marlon King converts the spot kick and Wigan are back on level terms almost immediately against the run of play.
17
Red Card
Christopher Samba is sent off for a professional foul as he hauls down Emile Heskey as he bears down on goal.
14
Yellow Card
Wilson Palacios picks up the first booking of the game now as he trips Reid with his trailing leg for no real reason.
14
That early goal has really kicked off the atmosphere inside Ewood Park and Wigan are struggling to get themselves going at the moment.
11
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 1-0 Wigan: (11mins) Santa Cruz follows in a Bentley shot to head home the rebound after a good save by Kirkland - the perfect start for the home side and Kirlkland requires further treatment.
10
Bentley is switched on and has a pop from range at a slightly uneasy Kirkland who does well to save it and tip round the post.
8
An interesting aside is that there appears to be a long lasting debate going on between Samba and David Dunn that is still hanging over from an on-pitch argument the pair had in last week's defeat at West Ham.
7
Kirkland is thankfully back on his feet and Wigan launch their first attack as King battles strongly with Khizanishvilli.
4
Chris Kirkland is worryingly on the floor after a mid-air collision with Santa Cruz as the striker attacked a Bentley cross.
3
A slow start from both sides with no derby style tackles going in, perhaps they are just feeling each other out early on.
1
Kickoff
Mike Dean is in charge of today's Lancashire derby and he gets things underway.
Blackburn: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigan meanwhile have had a mean defence to thank for their rise up the table with four consecutive clean sheets at the heart of their success and as such Steve Bruce names an unchanged backline once again today.
Awaiting Kickoff
Blackburn fans have been delighted to see Morten Gamst Pedersen back to his best in recent weeks and he starts again today as Jason Roberts partners Roque Santa Cruz up front.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Ewood Park where two sides experiencing an upturn in form of late face off as Blackburn Rovers entertain Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic.
Blackburn Rovers
Wigan Athletic
Full time
FT:Blackburn 3-1 Wigan: Blackburn dominated second period with Roque Santa Cruz scoring another fine header before Palacios followed Samba for an early bath.
We are into added time and to be honest the game has been over ever since the third Blackburn goal.
Substitution
Roque Santa Cruz exits to a standing ovation as he is replaced late on by Benni McCarthy.
The crowd are enjoying themselves now as they result looks safe, Brad Friedel has had little to do all afternoon in fairness.
Substitution
David Dunn has put in a really good shift in midfield today and he is replaced now by Aaron Mokoena.
Substitution
Rovers are making a change now as Jason Roberts gets a well earned rest as Tugay replaces him.
Yellow Card
David Bentley is booked for simulation - diving - which is disappointing to see from the England man.
There is nothing really happening at the moment - Pedersen struck one from range but it was straight at Kirkland.
The tempo has really died down now with Rovers happy with the lead and Wigan surely not believing they have any chance of turning things around.
Red Card
Surely it is game over now as Wilson Palacios collects his second yellow card for a poor challenge and surely with him goes Wigan's slight hopes of recovery.
Blackburn now look very comfortable with the two goal lead and despite being a man down they seem to be dealing with Wigan quite easily.
Substitution
Marlon King now departs and former Rovers striker Marcus Bent does not come on in his place, too little too late possibly now for the Latics though.
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 3-1 Wigan: (63mins) Santa Cruz heads home superbly from a pinpoint Bentley cross and that could seal all the points.
Yellow Card
Mario Melchiot is booked for dissent as he complains about a decision to award the home side a corner.
As the hour mark passes Steve Bruce appears to be readying Marcus Bent for action.
Rovers are limiting Wigan to a few snap shots from long range and there appears to be a lack of creativity in the Latics side.
It has been a really slow start to this second half with Blackburn still enjoying the better of it, I would be surprised if Steve Bruce did not make a change soon.
Blackburn want a penalty now as Santa Cruz goes down under challenge from Melchiot - it could have given although but he did make contact with both ball and man.
Ryan Taylor tries his luck from long range to try and spark Wigan into life but it is comfortable over the cross bar.
Second half
The second period is underway and Wigan will need to improve drastically if they are going to take something from Ewood Park.
Half time
HT:Blackburn 2-1 Wigan: Blackburn hold a deserved lead despite being reduced to ten men and Wigan have failed to take any sort of advantage in the first half.
There are five minutes of added time to be played in the snow of Ewood Park.
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 2-1 Wigan: (45mins) Superb finish from Roberts as he latches onto Santa Cruz's through ball before rolling it under Kirkland to put the 10 men deservedly in front.
Steve Bruce will be disappointed with his side''s failure to test Brad Friedel given the man advantage they have and Blackburn still appear to be the most likely to score.
In fact Taylor is going to go to the left of midfield with Kevin KIlbane dropping back to left back.
Substitution
On in place of Edman comes Ryan Taylor who is more at home at right back than left back.
Erik Edman is now receiving lengthy treatment and is going off in a leg brace on a stretcher which looks like it will be a very serious injury.
David Bentley is Blackburn's resident free-kick specialist and he beats Kirkland all ends up here but it rebounds back off the post and Wigan survive.
So far the ten men of Blackburn are doing well and Wigan are yet to really take any advantage of the extra player they have.
The crowd are up in arms again as Bentley is felled by Michael Brown - the midfielder complains but it was a blatant foul.
Finally the game has slowed down somewhat as the ball goes out of play on a number of occasions as Wigan try to clear their lines.
Kilbane now curls in a free-kick to the back post where Boyce arrives late and although he can't keep his header down it shows how effective Wigan could be from set-pieces now.
The atmosphere is suddenly really intense as the home fans vent their anger at the decision to dismiss Samba, although it certainly appeared to be the correct decision.
Snap shot on the volley from Santa Cruz as he latches onto a Roberts knock down and forces a good diving parry from Kirkland.
Blackburn are going to have to alter things now and Steven Reid appears to have slotted in at right back for now with Roberts moving to the right wing and Bentley into the centre.
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 1-1 Wigan: (17mins) Marlon King converts the spot kick and Wigan are back on level terms almost immediately against the run of play.
Red Card
Christopher Samba is sent off for a professional foul as he hauls down Emile Heskey as he bears down on goal.
Yellow Card
Wilson Palacios picks up the first booking of the game now as he trips Reid with his trailing leg for no real reason.
That early goal has really kicked off the atmosphere inside Ewood Park and Wigan are struggling to get themselves going at the moment.
Goal
GOAL:Blackburn 1-0 Wigan: (11mins) Santa Cruz follows in a Bentley shot to head home the rebound after a good save by Kirkland - the perfect start for the home side and Kirlkland requires further treatment.
Bentley is switched on and has a pop from range at a slightly uneasy Kirkland who does well to save it and tip round the post.
An interesting aside is that there appears to be a long lasting debate going on between Samba and David Dunn that is still hanging over from an on-pitch argument the pair had in last week's defeat at West Ham.
Kirkland is thankfully back on his feet and Wigan launch their first attack as King battles strongly with Khizanishvilli.
Chris Kirkland is worryingly on the floor after a mid-air collision with Santa Cruz as the striker attacked a Bentley cross.
A slow start from both sides with no derby style tackles going in, perhaps they are just feeling each other out early on.
Kickoff
Mike Dean is in charge of today's Lancashire derby and he gets things underway.
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigan: Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Scharner, Edman, Valencia, Brown, Palacios, Kilbane, King, Heskey
Awaiting Kickoff
Blackburn: Friedel, Ooijer, Samba, Khizanishvili, Warnock, Bentley, Reid, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, Roberts
Awaiting Kickoff
Wigan meanwhile have had a mean defence to thank for their rise up the table with four consecutive clean sheets at the heart of their success and as such Steve Bruce names an unchanged backline once again today.
Awaiting Kickoff
Blackburn fans have been delighted to see Morten Gamst Pedersen back to his best in recent weeks and he starts again today as Jason Roberts partners Roque Santa Cruz up front.
Awaiting Kickoff
Welcome to Ewood Park where two sides experiencing an upturn in form of late face off as Blackburn Rovers entertain Lancashire rivals Wigan Athletic.