Chelsea finally stopped the rot today as arguably their best Premier League performance for more than two months saw them beat Blackburn and climb back into the top four.
Looking to end their worst run in the league for almost 15 years after winning just one of their previous nine games, the Blues dominated from start to finish at Stamford Bridge.
Both their goals came from corner kicks courtesy of Branislav Ivanovic and Nicolas Anelka, with their final ball continuing to let them down in open play.
The duo also found the net against Rovers back in October to keep Chelsea five points clear at the top of the table, but their efforts today were arguably even more precious.
EPL Today
Showing posts with label blackburn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blackburn. Show all posts
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Santa Cruz to Blackburn
Blackburn Rovers have signed Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.
Santa Cruz, who played for Rovers between 2007-09 after leaving German giants Bayern Munich, could feature in their Premier League game at Chelsea on Saturday.
The striker scored 29 goals in 70 games during his first spell Ewood Park before former Rovers boss Mark Hughes took him to Manchester City in a £17.5 million deal.
Santa Cruz made just six Premier League starts for the Eastlands outfit as injuries and competition for places limited his opportunities. The 29-year-old is Rovers first signing since their takeover by Indian firm Venky's in November.
Santa Cruz, who played for Rovers between 2007-09 after leaving German giants Bayern Munich, could feature in their Premier League game at Chelsea on Saturday.
The striker scored 29 goals in 70 games during his first spell Ewood Park before former Rovers boss Mark Hughes took him to Manchester City in a £17.5 million deal.
Santa Cruz made just six Premier League starts for the Eastlands outfit as injuries and competition for places limited his opportunities. The 29-year-old is Rovers first signing since their takeover by Indian firm Venky's in November.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Blackburn 3-1 Liverpool
Roy Hodgson has survived many low points in his short spell as Liverpool manager but a 3-1 defeat at Blackburn would seem to be one disaster too far and could hasten his exit from Anfield.
Even before Saturday's injury-time winner against Bolton the suggestion was club owners New England Sports Ventures were actively looking for a replacement.
On this performance they will probably have to speed up that search as two goals from Benjani Mwaruwari, who had not started since November 6 and scored once in 12 previous appearances, and one from Martin Olsson condemned the Reds to a ninth Premier League defeat of the season, despite Steven Gerrard's late consolation.
The now almost-obligatory chants for club legend Kenny Dalglish surfaced in the second half and at one point it seemed all four sides of Ewood Park were singing "You're getting sacked in the morning'' to Hodgson.
Even before Saturday's injury-time winner against Bolton the suggestion was club owners New England Sports Ventures were actively looking for a replacement.
On this performance they will probably have to speed up that search as two goals from Benjani Mwaruwari, who had not started since November 6 and scored once in 12 previous appearances, and one from Martin Olsson condemned the Reds to a ninth Premier League defeat of the season, despite Steven Gerrard's late consolation.
The now almost-obligatory chants for club legend Kenny Dalglish surfaced in the second half and at one point it seemed all four sides of Ewood Park were singing "You're getting sacked in the morning'' to Hodgson.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Sunderland 3-0 Blackburn
Darren Bent ended his personal goal drought as Sunderland bounced back from their horror show against Blackpool to defeat Blackburn 3-0.
The England striker glanced home a header eight minutes after Danny Welbeck's deflected 11th-minute shot had put the Black Cats in front to claim his 10th goal of the season and his first in six games.
Bent could easily have grabbed a second-half hat-trick and was guilty of a glaring 62nd-minute miss from just three yards, although former Sunderland striker El-Hadji Diouf had earlier contrived to fire over from even closer.
But substitute Asamoah Gyan sealed a victory which took Sunderland to 30 points for the season with a third at the death to provide the perfect antidote to their wastefulness against the Seasiders in front of a crowd of 36,242.
The England striker glanced home a header eight minutes after Danny Welbeck's deflected 11th-minute shot had put the Black Cats in front to claim his 10th goal of the season and his first in six games.
Bent could easily have grabbed a second-half hat-trick and was guilty of a glaring 62nd-minute miss from just three yards, although former Sunderland striker El-Hadji Diouf had earlier contrived to fire over from even closer.
But substitute Asamoah Gyan sealed a victory which took Sunderland to 30 points for the season with a third at the death to provide the perfect antidote to their wastefulness against the Seasiders in front of a crowd of 36,242.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Blackburn 3-1 West Brom
Nikola Kalinic scored twice and was sent off as Blackburn won for the first time under new manager Steve Kean - 3-1 at West Brom.
Kalinic twice gave Rovers the lead at The Hawthorns before being dismissed for a poor challenge on Paul Scharner shortly after Mame Biram Diouf added a third.
The Baggies had been level midway through an eventful Barclays Premier League encounter after Jerome Thomas cancelled out Kalinic's first goal, but later on their misery was compounded when Gabriel Tamas was also sent off.
Until his red card, the afternoon had looked like being one of Kalinic's best in a Rovers shirt since being signed by Sam Allardyce last year.
Kalinic twice gave Rovers the lead at The Hawthorns before being dismissed for a poor challenge on Paul Scharner shortly after Mame Biram Diouf added a third.
The Baggies had been level midway through an eventful Barclays Premier League encounter after Jerome Thomas cancelled out Kalinic's first goal, but later on their misery was compounded when Gabriel Tamas was also sent off.
Until his red card, the afternoon had looked like being one of Kalinic's best in a Rovers shirt since being signed by Sam Allardyce last year.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Stoke City 2-0 Blackburn
Steve Kean's coronation as new Blackburn boss turned sour at Ewood Park as goals from Robert Huth and Marc Wilson saw Stoke snap their run of three Barclays Premier League games without a win.
Huth opened the scoring with a powerful 51st-minute header from a Matthew Etherington corner and Wilson wrapped up the points by knocking home the simplest of chances in injury time.
And Kean will know it could have been much worse for his side with Etherington missing an early sitter and Kenwyne Jones forcing a wonder save out of Paul Robinson late on.
For all the new Rovers' owners heady predictions, the defeat made it clear that Kean's more immediate concern is sorting out the future of unsettled stars like defender Christopher Samba.
Huth opened the scoring with a powerful 51st-minute header from a Matthew Etherington corner and Wilson wrapped up the points by knocking home the simplest of chances in injury time.
And Kean will know it could have been much worse for his side with Etherington missing an early sitter and Kenwyne Jones forcing a wonder save out of Paul Robinson late on.
For all the new Rovers' owners heady predictions, the defeat made it clear that Kean's more immediate concern is sorting out the future of unsettled stars like defender Christopher Samba.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Blackburn 1-1 West Ham
Substitute Junior Stanislas earned West Ham a priceless point with a 78th-minute equaliser at Ewood Park to deny Blackburn caretaker manager Steve Kean a win in his first game in charge.
With West Ham boss Avram Grant enduring another week of speculation about his future, it was an important match for both managers, and, after a woeful first half, it was Blackburn who made the breakthrough in the 51st minute thanks to the scrappiest of goals from Ryan Nelsen.
Defeat would certainly have been harsh on the visitors, who were easily the more creative side, and they got their reward when Stanislas fired an unstoppable shot into the far corner. The point was not enough to lift West Ham off the bottom of the table but they did close to within two points of Wolves.
Staff at Ewood Park had spent all morning clearing the pitch, stands and surrounding areas of snow and their efforts were rewarded as the match was the only one of the scheduled 3pm kick-offs in the Barclays Premier League to go ahead.
With West Ham boss Avram Grant enduring another week of speculation about his future, it was an important match for both managers, and, after a woeful first half, it was Blackburn who made the breakthrough in the 51st minute thanks to the scrappiest of goals from Ryan Nelsen.
Defeat would certainly have been harsh on the visitors, who were easily the more creative side, and they got their reward when Stanislas fired an unstoppable shot into the far corner. The point was not enough to lift West Ham off the bottom of the table but they did close to within two points of Wolves.
Staff at Ewood Park had spent all morning clearing the pitch, stands and surrounding areas of snow and their efforts were rewarded as the match was the only one of the scheduled 3pm kick-offs in the Barclays Premier League to go ahead.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sam Allardyce leaves Blackburn
Sam Allardyce has left Blackburn Rovers with immediate effect, along with assistant manager Neil McDonald.
Allardyce leaves the club, who have just been taken over by Indian chicken company Venky's, in 13th position in the Premier League. Chris Hughton, sacked by Newcastle last week, is among the early favourites to take over.
A statement on the Blackburn website read: ''The Venky's Group, owners of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, has today [Monday] confirmed the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald with immediate effect.
GettyImages
Allardyce leaves the club, who have just been taken over by Indian chicken company Venky's, in 13th position in the Premier League. Chris Hughton, sacked by Newcastle last week, is among the early favourites to take over.
A statement on the Blackburn website read: ''The Venky's Group, owners of Blackburn Rovers Football Club, has today [Monday] confirmed the departure of manager Sam Allardyce and assistant manager Neil McDonald with immediate effect.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Bolton 2-1 Blackburn
Stuart Holden fired home a dramatic late winner for 10-man Bolton at the Reebok Stadium just seconds after Mame Biram Diouf appeared to have snatched Blackburn a point.
The American drilled home a stunning 88th-minute finish while the visitors were still celebrating their equaliser by substitute Diouf at the other end moments earlier.
Owen Coyle's men had played with 10 men since Mark Davies' 56th-minute dismissal for an apparent elbow, but they still grabbed a 65th-minute lead through Fabrice Muamba.
And just when Rovers appeared to have made their desperate pressure tell, American Holden raced on to a neat header down from Kevin Davies to smash his rising shot past Paul Robinson.
The American drilled home a stunning 88th-minute finish while the visitors were still celebrating their equaliser by substitute Diouf at the other end moments earlier.
Owen Coyle's men had played with 10 men since Mark Davies' 56th-minute dismissal for an apparent elbow, but they still grabbed a 65th-minute lead through Fabrice Muamba.
And just when Rovers appeared to have made their desperate pressure tell, American Holden raced on to a neat header down from Kevin Davies to smash his rising shot past Paul Robinson.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Blackburn 3-0 Wolverhampton
Morten Gamst Pedersen's set-piece magic helped Blackburn ease out of their Old Trafford hangover as they dumped Wolves to the bottom of the Premier League with a 3-0 win at Ewood Park.
Pedersen had a hand in goals for David Dunn and Ryan Nelsen which sandwiched a fine strike by Brett Emerton and consigned Rovers' 7-1 embarrassment against Manchester United to distant memory.
Norwegian Pedersen was too much for Wolves to cope with and boss Mick McCarthy must now try to lift a team who sunk below West Ham on goal difference after Nelsen hit Rovers' third.
McCarthy's men had started superbly, with Matt Jarvis bringing a first-minute save out of Paul Robinson and both Stephen Ward and Ronald Zubar rattling the woodwork.
Pedersen had a hand in goals for David Dunn and Ryan Nelsen which sandwiched a fine strike by Brett Emerton and consigned Rovers' 7-1 embarrassment against Manchester United to distant memory.
Norwegian Pedersen was too much for Wolves to cope with and boss Mick McCarthy must now try to lift a team who sunk below West Ham on goal difference after Nelsen hit Rovers' third.
McCarthy's men had started superbly, with Matt Jarvis bringing a first-minute save out of Paul Robinson and both Stephen Ward and Ronald Zubar rattling the woodwork.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Manchester United 7-1 Blackburn
Dimitar Berbatov joined an elite group of Premier League sharpshooters with a five-star performance as Manchester United demolished Blackburn 7-1 at Old Trafford.
Since the new league was formed in 1992, only Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe have scored five in a single game.
Berbatov joined that band on Saturday, scoring twice before half-time, then three more times after the break as United finally rid themselves of the shackles that have halted their progress this season.
It took the Bulgarian to 12 goals for the season and completed United's first seven-goal haul since the Champions League thrashing of Roma three years ago.
Since the new league was formed in 1992, only Andy Cole, Alan Shearer and Jermain Defoe have scored five in a single game.
Berbatov joined that band on Saturday, scoring twice before half-time, then three more times after the break as United finally rid themselves of the shackles that have halted their progress this season.
It took the Bulgarian to 12 goals for the season and completed United's first seven-goal haul since the Champions League thrashing of Roma three years ago.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Blackburn Rovers 2 - 0 Aston Villa
Blackburn Rovers new owners had plenty to cheer as a brace from Morten Gamst Pedersen ensured they made a winning start against Aston Villa.
Rovers, playing for the first time since being taken over by Indian company Venky's, took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the opening period at Ewood Park thanks to Pedersen's delightful looping free-kick.
The Norwegian then struck again midway through the second half to wrap up a comfortable victory for Sam Allardyce's side.
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| PA Photos |
Rovers, playing for the first time since being taken over by Indian company Venky's, took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the opening period at Ewood Park thanks to Pedersen's delightful looping free-kick.
The Norwegian then struck again midway through the second half to wrap up a comfortable victory for Sam Allardyce's side.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Tottenham Hotspur 4 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Tottenham cruised to their first league win in five games thanks to another impressive performance from two-goal Gareth Bale.
Bale put Spurs in front with a header in the 16th minute and after Roman Pavlyuchenko had missed a penalty, he made amends by heading the second four minutes before the interval.
Peter Crouch added a third in the 68th minute before Bale scored his second of the game from a cross by Alan Hutton.
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| PA Photos |
Bale put Spurs in front with a header in the 16th minute and after Roman Pavlyuchenko had missed a penalty, he made amends by heading the second four minutes before the interval.
Peter Crouch added a third in the 68th minute before Bale scored his second of the game from a cross by Alan Hutton.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Newcastle United 1 - 2 Blackburn Rovers
Substitute Jason Roberts brought Newcastle's winning run to a shuddering halt to hand Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce victory on his return to St James' Park.
Roberts scored for the second time in as many games to condemn the Magpies to a third home defeat of the season following wins for Blackpool and Stoke on Tyneside, and their sixth in as many attempts by Rovers.
Andy Carroll looked to have snatched at least a point for the home side with a towering 47th-minute header to further enhance his England credentials, after Morten Gamst Pedersen had given Rovers a third-minute lead.
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| PA Photos |
Andy Carroll looked to have snatched at least a point for the home side with a towering 47th-minute header to further enhance his England credentials, after Morten Gamst Pedersen had given Rovers a third-minute lead.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Blackburn Rovers 2 - 1 Wigan Athletic
Blackburn substitute Jason Roberts atoned for the error which had cost his side dear against Chelsea last weekend with a cool 66th-minute finish to seal the points at Ewood Park.
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| PA PHOTOS |
Roberts had missed a sitter against the champions but kept his nerve to supply a superb first-time finish to Brett Emerton's cross and wrap up victory.
Morten Gamst Pedersen had put Rovers in front eight minutes earlier when his free-kick from the byline eluded everyone in the box and curled into the top corner.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Venky's to spend only 5 mn pound to buy new players
LONDON: Blackburn Rovers fans hoping to see their team splash money on new players in next year's transfer window are likely to be disappointed as the Indian company set to buy it is expected to spend only five million pounds for the purpose.
Indian poultry giant Venky's has agreed to pay 46 million pounds for the English Premier League club but company chairperson Anuradha J Desai said that lavish spending is not on the agenda.
Unlike big spending clubs owned by wealthy foreigners like Manchester City and Chelsea, Blackburn is likely to depend upon loan signings to strengthen a side that is just above the relegation zone at 17th.
"We won't need to buy expensive players, we can always lease them. We don't expect to be in the top five of the Premier League. We will be happy to be in the top 10 to 12," Desai was quoted as saying in newspaper reports.
That means Blackburn is unlikely to break its nine-year-old transfer record any time soon. Blackburn paid Manchester United eight million pounds for striker Andy Cole in December 2001, but has since spent more than 5 million pounds on a player only twice.
Desai said Venky's, the flagship firm of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group , was buying Rovers to raise its international profile.
"Football is a global craze and as the VH Group globalizes, setting up feed plants and hatcheries around the world, we believe we can benefit from being owners of a major football club. It will help build our brand," she said.
Indian poultry giant Venky's has agreed to pay 46 million pounds for the English Premier League club but company chairperson Anuradha J Desai said that lavish spending is not on the agenda.
Unlike big spending clubs owned by wealthy foreigners like Manchester City and Chelsea, Blackburn is likely to depend upon loan signings to strengthen a side that is just above the relegation zone at 17th.
"We won't need to buy expensive players, we can always lease them. We don't expect to be in the top five of the Premier League. We will be happy to be in the top 10 to 12," Desai was quoted as saying in newspaper reports.
That means Blackburn is unlikely to break its nine-year-old transfer record any time soon. Blackburn paid Manchester United eight million pounds for striker Andy Cole in December 2001, but has since spent more than 5 million pounds on a player only twice.
Desai said Venky's, the flagship firm of Venkateshwara Hatcheries Group , was buying Rovers to raise its international profile.
"Football is a global craze and as the VH Group globalizes, setting up feed plants and hatcheries around the world, we believe we can benefit from being owners of a major football club. It will help build our brand," she said.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Venky's close to Blackburn takeover
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Liverpool 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Striker Fernando Torres ended his six-match goal drought with the winner against Blackburn to provide a much-needed boost at Anfield.
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| AP |
Goalkeeper Paul Robinson had kept the Reds at bay until Sotirios Kyrgiakos' 48th-minute header and although a Jamie Carragher own goal quickly levelled things up Torres struck only his second of the season soon after.
It ended a run of seven matches without a victory in all competitions and although it was still not enough to lift Liverpool out of the bottom three the result came as a welcome relief.
Monday, October 18, 2010
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