Tag Archives: blackburn

On this day – 1 February 2006

Posted on by

On 1 February 2006, Blackburn winger David Bentley scored the first Premier League hat-trick against Manchester United as Rovers won 4-3.

The match was Bentley’s first as an official Blackburn player–he signed with them the day before after spending the first half of the season with them on loan from Arsenal. Playing at home before a crowd of 25,484, he celebrated the move by putting Rovers ahead in the 35th minute, finishing off a free kick that United keeper Edwin van der Sar tipped onto the bar.

United striker Louis Saha returned the favor in the 37th minute, but a poor clearance from Rio Ferdinand allowed Bentley to double his tally four minutes later. Rovers extended the lead to 3-1 before the break when Lucas Neill converted a 45th-minute penalty kick. Then, in the 56th minute, Robbie Savage found Bentley unmarked in the United box; the winger took the chance, claiming the first hat-trick against United since QPR’s David Bailey did it in January 1992 when the top flight was still called Division One.

United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had come on as a second-half substitute, scored a brace of his own in the 63rd and 68th minutes, but the rally ended when referee Phil Dowd sent Ferdinand off in the 88th minute–Ferdinand’s first career red card, earned by having drawn a second yellow card for a challenge on Savage that left the Welshman with a gash on his shin.

The win completed a Blackburn double over United that season, which ended with Rovers in sixth place and United in second. Bentley left Blackburn for Tottenham in 2008 and is currently on loan with Birmingham.

View the Original article

Has anyone noticed the January Transfer Window is open?

Posted on by

The January transfer window has opened but as yet there hasn’t been much to talk about.  Manchester City have agreed a transfer fee with German side Wolfsburg for their Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko.  The 24 year old has scored 66 goals in 111 games so it is not surprising that Wolfsburg manager Steve McLaren was not too keen to sell him.  It has been reported that Bayern Munich have made a last minute bid, though I can’t see anyone getting in the way of a move for Edin Dzeko  to Manchester City. Money talks!

As Man City continue to push for a Champions League position, if not the Premier League, it is essential they add one or two top quality strikers to their squad to relieve the pressured shoulders of sulky home-sick Carlos Tevez considering the ineffectiveness of Emmanuel Adebayor and Joe; and the surprising statement from Roberto Mancini that Paraguay international, Roque Santa Cruz is surplus to requirements.

I’m surprised Mancini is letting Roque Santa Cruz go as I have always considered him to be a good striker, and he showed he can play in the Premier League when he was at Blackburn Rovers.  It is no surprise that several clubs have apparently shown interest in signing Roque Santa Cruz including Fulham who are currently managed by his former boss, Mark Hughes.  West Ham and Aston Villa are also allegedly interested in his services.

So, on to Blackburn Rovers whose owners decided to sack Sam Allardyce in December.  At the time I felt this was to announce a new manager in time for the January transfer window and we were going to see a well-known manager be given a large sum of money to stamp his authority on the team and also announce the Indian Venky Group ownership to the world.  Well, this week they have been linked to one of the biggest names in world football, Ronaldinho.  A well seasoned player that would certainly make a statement of intent for the new Blackburn owners though I’m not sure what else they would receive from a footballer that is currently overweight, overpaid and well past his sell by date!

Furthermore, the owners have stated that caretaker manager Steve Kean will remain in charge at least until the summer.  But it’s clear that any big name signings with overinflated wages and egos are going to create even more problems for a little known manager.

View the Original article

Now Big Sam gets the sack from Blackburn Rovers

Posted on by

Just like the sacking of Chris Hughton at Newcastle United last week, the news that Big Sam Allardyce has been given the boot from Blackburn Rovers beggars belief.

It appears that the new Indian owners at Blackburn want to put their mark on the club with immediate effect and despite promises of funds to spend in January they have now decided that Allardyce is not the man for the job.

Rovers are currently in 13th position in a Premier League where five points either way would put them either in contention for a European place or drop them into the relegation zone.

Blackburn lost out to Allardyce’s former club Bolton at the weekend  in a 2-1 defeat and have won only two out of their last five games,, but overall this season have made a good show of themselves, barring the recent 7-1 thrashing at Old Trafford.

Allardyce says he is shocked and disappointed to be leaving the club and despite the news he still wishes the club all the best in the future.

It is understood that first team coach Steve Kean will take temporary charge until a new manager is found.

Quite what the owners of clubs like Newcastle and Blackburn expect is hard to fathom, both were doing as well as can be expected of them in my view and sacking a manager at this time in the season rarely serves any other purpose than to unsettle the team and fans for the remainder of the term.

View the Original article

Are Liverpool the most boring club in England?

Posted on by

Following Liverpool’s dire goalless draw with FC Utrecht last night, Sport.co.uk is asking whether we have witnessed Liverpool quickly become the county’s most boring club.

Particularly harsh you may shout. What about Blackburn Rovers? Or Stoke City? These teams don’t come close. Although many take issue with their often direct, no-nonsense style, they make no apologies for it, use it in the main to great effect, and regularly provide shock results. Is there a more entertaining sight than seeing Arsene Wenger flailing his arms in the air as Sam Allardyce plants his latest obstacle in the path of Manuel Almunia? You wouldn’t find one at Anfield.

With Fernando Torres continuing to perform a poor portrayal of an out of form Martin Dahlin, and Steven Gerrard struggling with a back infliction, Hodgson’s two world-class performers have been hindered thus far. Joe Cole has had somewhat of an eventful but by no means world-beating start to his career on Merseyside, while Paul Konchesky and Christian Poulsen aren’t going to add the touch of flair and guile they have been crying out for ever since the oppressive Benitez reign.

Continue reading →

Walcott on fire and a double for Bale

Posted on by

GettyImages

Theo Walcott netted a hat-trick for the Gunners as Blackpool were swept aside at the Emirates

Ian Holloway spoke pre-match about the need to ensure Blackpool’s dream afternoon did not turn into a nightmare in North London, but his players failed to heed the warning as they returned to the changing room at half time 3-0 down, and a man down. Ian Evatt saw red for the visitors and Walcott took full advantage to bag himself a hat-trick.

It was Walcott who opened the scoring when he completed a flowing Arsenal move on 12 minutes, and then Blackpool were dealt the piece of hard luck they could ill afford, with Evatt sent off for a professional foul on Marouane Chamakh. Evatt’s challenge appeared to come outside the box, but Andrei Arshavin cared little as he doubled his side’s lead from 12 yards.

Walcott then doubled his personal tally with the help of some poor goalkeeping, and there was more misery for Blackpool after the break as Abou Diaby expertly turned home Bacary Sagna’s cross, before Walcott completed his hat-trick with yet another cool finish after he meandered his way into the area.

With the match wrapped up, Arsene Wenger was able to give half-hour appearances to Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie, and Chamakh rounded off the perfect afternoon late on by opening his Emirates account after he had earlier missed an open goal.

Tottenham were also celebrating on Saturday as their depleted squad secured a 2-1 triumph at Stoke thanks to the brilliance of Gareth Bale.

Continue reading →


 Powered by Max Banner Ads