With a third of the season left to go, Blackburn visited Craven Cottage in this midweek encounter after their initial match was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Robinson was reinstated in goals for Jason Brown, who could count himself unlucky after a superb performance against Everton. Morten Gamst and Jason Roberts came into the starting line up, with David Dunn on the bench.
Fulham got of to a dream start, with Rovers fans starting to think about Championship football only 1 minute in. A long hopeful ball by Danny Murphy found Clint Dempsey, who skipped past poor challenges from Nelsen and Samba, sliding the ball past Robinson after only 90 seconds were on the clock. 1-0 Fulham.
Rovers appeared shellshocked, with Fulham missing several opportunities within the first 15 minutes, and only solid last ditch defending from Steven Warnock and a reflex save from Robinson preventing Fulham from sealing it early. Rovers however almost nicked an against the run of play equaliser, with Steven Warnock finding his feet in the centre of the park, curling a delightful shot past the outstreched Mark Schwarzer, into the far post.
Rovers started to play a more controlled style of football, knocking the ball around the pitch, trying to use Jason Roberts as the main target man. However, with all the applied pressure, Rovers could not create a clear open opportunity.
As the half carried on, a few decisions started to go against El Hadji Diouf, who became a tad too frustrated, copping a yellow card at the break after continuouslly harassing referee Rob Styles. 1-0 Fulham Half time. With Rovers counting themselves unlucky to be trailing at the break after their poor start.
Whatever Big Sam said at the break, must of worked, with a completely different outfit coming out. Gamst actually looked threatening, Roberts was becoming more imposing, and Tugay starting to direct the play. Rovers started to build pressure, with Warnock pressing on. The opportunity came in the 69th minute, and Rovers capatilised, with a controversial goal awarded to none other than El Hadji Diouf. Chris’s Samba’s flicked on a header to Diouf, who slotted the ball home into the back of the net, however Diouf appeared to be initially offside, but we will take it regardless. 1-1
Rovers continued to push on, with long range efforts from Warnock, Tugay and Oijer coming agonisingly close. Gamst started to make darting runs down the flank, and the pressure was building on the Fulham Defence. McCarthy came into the attack, but had little impact on the game, similar to the man he came on for, Keith Andrews. With Rovers pushing for an away win, and Fulham sitting back, the pressure finally paid dividends for the travelling Rovers faithful. A nice threading pass by Morten Gamst found Jason Roberts, who, in typical fashion, turned his marker, and in untypical (is that a word?) fashion, blasted it into the back of the net with only 5 minutes remaining. 1-2 Rovers.
The minutes ticked on, and Rovers started to employ time wasting tactics. However the game ended with a late scare for Rovers, with a spectacular diving save by Paul Robinson keeping the Fulham lads from stealing a draw, and showing why he is Blackburn’s Number 1.
A fantastic away victory for Rovers, climbing up to 15th spot, and clawing Fulham back into relegation battle.
Player Ratings
Paul Robinson 7
Great save in the dying minutes, solid performance, good to see him back in action
Ryan Nelsen 6.5
Sloppy defending for the first goal, another effort at goal without reward, quiet game for the Admiral
Chris Samba 6.5
Same as Nelsen, should of done better with the first goal, got involved, flicked on for Diouf
Givet 7.5
Can we just sign him now, rather then wait until end of season. Surely he is a bargain find, sheer quality, why wasnt he playing for his French team?
Oijer 7
Solid game from the Dutchman, holding his own at right back, and starting to show some attacking flair, nice strike!!
Andrews 6
Looked out of place today, quiet game from Keith
Warnock 7.5
Great game from Steven. Looked a threat, tackled hard, extremely unlucky in striking the post. Only a makeshift CM, but is starting to make the position look his own
Tugay 6.5
The Maestro can still hold it at the level, but his legs are wearing. Tried all game, but a few too many long direct balls.
Gamst 7
Once again, we saw both of Gamst. A poor first half, couldnt deliver a ball, a solid second half, setting up the winner, more of the second half please Morten
EL Hadji Diouf 7
Why cant he just shut up and play football. The lad can play, and he opened his scoring account, but geez, aint he frustration to watch. But then again, I guess he wouldnt be the character he is….
Jason Roberts 7
Ah The big man up front, good finish from Roberts. Once he was through, i said a quick prayer, someone please be there to pounce on the rebound once he strikes it straight at the keeper, but the man upstairs took it a step further, he found the net. Well Done, now get him on the bench for 6 weeks cause he will miss a few in the next couple of games…But then again, Benni didnt look too threatening, so lets get behind Robbo and see what he can do next week
Adios Amigos
Vital Points
Its easy to say that it was a massive win, but heck it was. We are actually out of the drop zone, and with Boro playing Pompey on the weekend, regardless of the result against the Gunners, we will still be out of the bottom 3. But im sure Sam will fire the boys up, lets go out there and beat them up, take all 3 points lads!!!!
15th Spot
Looks good doesnt it lads…..
Adios Amigos
Im going away for a week to celebrate my birthday and Round 1 of the National Rugby League, so I leave you in the trusty hands of Walker and Mikey, and that chap that pops in and answers the Trivia Questions Bombom…..BE GOOD!!!!!
