Man U’s Poll Winners Party

Mark Hughes was left fuming at Referee Graham Poll as Rovers crashed out of the league cup at Old Trafford.

Hughes was annoyed at Poll’s decision to award United a penalty just before half-time after Zurab Khizanishvili handled inside the area. The resulting spot kick was saved by Brad Friedel but that didn’t stop the Blackburn manager criticising the referee.
He told Skysports
‘We were all getting frustrated with the referee in all honesty. It is unfortunate these days, there are only so many Premiership referees and possibly they enjoy the celebrity status they have and I think tonight Mr Poll thought 61,000 people had come to see him.’
Blackburn got a fortunate handball decision go there way in the league on Saturday but approaching this game it was apparent their luck had run out. Craig Bellamy was ruled out before the match after failing a late fitness test forcing Hughes to play a reserve front line of Shefki Kuqi and David Bentley in a game in which they needed to score if they were to progress.

Things got worse for Rovers seven minutes in when Michael Gray gifted possession to Darren Fletcher and when Rooney picked up the ball and ran at the defence, rovers could sense trouble. He then slipped the ball to Ruud van Nistelrooy who slotted the ball past Friedel.

However for Blackburn were then let back into the tie thanks to a miss-hit clearance by Kieran Richardson fell at the feet of Steven Reid who hit a right foot shot underneath Van Der Sar and into the bottom corner.

With Blackburn lifted by the equaliser and began to assert some pressure but then Poll gave United a dubious penalty which Brad Friedel saved.

Manchester started the second half better but again it was a huge slice of luck that gifted them the winner. Firstly it appeared Fletcher had fouled Tugay in the lead up to the goal and then when Rooney’s cross picked out Luis Saha, he sliced it past Friedel to leave the in-form keeper with no chance of saving it.

Rovers fought back and were denied a penalty when Rio Ferdinand handled in side his area. They threw on Brett Emerton and Sergio Peter to try and change things but it was going to be their day and just as it was three years ago their league cup and eight match unbeaten run was ended in a semi-final to Manchester United.