Charlton Athletic 1 Blackburn Rovers 1

The first fixture of the Post Steve Kean era for Blackburn Rovers ended in a fortunate 1-1 draw, the host team failing to capitalise on a plethora of opportunties with Rovers grateful that Paul Robinson was able to hold his own in goals.

Stand in manager Eric Black made minimal changes to the starting line up, restoring Morten Gamst Pedersen into the Rovers midfield whilst Nuno Gomes and Jordan Rhodes were preferred up front.

Robinson
Orr, Givet, Dann, Martin O
Lowe, Murphy, Etuhu, Gamst
Gomes, Rhodes

A slow opening to the fixture saw plenty of ball lost in midfield by both teams, as neither was able to claim a firm grasp of possesion. If anything, Rovers edged the opening encounter and were rewarded through an unlikely source only 15 minutes in. Morten Gamst Pedersen found Etuhu who pranced past Solly and Morrison before a driving effort tore the back of the net, Rovers taking a 1-0 lead.

Blackburn were then the cause of their own collapse as Gamst turned hero to villain, adjudged to have brought down Leon Cort in the penalty box. Jackson stepped up, blasting his attempt straight down the middle only to be rejected by the legs of Paul Robinson. However the ball was only part cleared by Rovers, a Danny Green shot deflected into the net by Jackson, making up for his missed penalty. 1-1

The first half petered out but Charlton had started to take the ascendency. Givet was forced off, replaced by Hanley at the break.

The second half started more lively, Charlton surging onwards for a goal to break the dead lock. Blackburn appeared content to sit back and counter as Wright Phillips and Jackson pressured the Rovers defence. Leon Cort’s point blank header was saved, whilst Wright Phillips and Jackson both sprayed attempts narrowly over the goal.

For Rovers, Jordan Rhodes and Nuno Gomes failed to create much up front, partially due to the lack of service, with each only mustering an attempt each on goal to no avail.

Wright Phillips almost claimed all 3 points for Charlton in the dying seconds, his acrobatic volley well saved by Robinson, ensuring honours were shared, Blackburn leaving with a point and sitting a point behind the leaders on the ladder