Rovers 2 - 2 Newcastle

[cn174]

This game saw Graeme Souness return to Ewood for the first time since his departure four months ago.

Newcastle took an early lead after Dyer slipped through Rovers' 'offside trap', but Rovers equalised after a clever freekick ending in Dickov scoring.

However the Geordies went into half time ahead following a superb freekick by Laurent Robert.

Rovers were much better in the second half and put plenty of pressure on Newcastle's defence. Andy Todd equalised for Rovers, just about, after Given parried a shot from Thompson.

Click Here for a full match report by Scotty

[Alan75]

A first goal at Ewood Park for Andy Todd, helped Rovers to a deserved point against Newcastle at Ewood Park this afternoon, in front of a near capacity crowd.

Newcastle took the lead as early as the 6th minute when Dyer left the Rovers defence flat footed, for a one to one confrontation with Friedel.

Rovers however bounced back, when the quick thinking slipped a free kick to the unmarked Dickov, who turned and shot past the unprotected Given in the Newcastle goal. Within 10 minutes Newcastle however regained the lead when Robert's bending free kick curled into the top left hand corner of Friedel's goal.

Rovers came out all guns blaring in the second half and within 10 minutes of the restart Todd poked home the equaliser after Given had failed to control a stinging Thompson shot.

Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Johansson, Matteo, Reid (Thompson 45), Flitcroft, Ferguson, Emerton, Dickov, Stead (Gallagher 88). Subs not used: Pedersen, Enckelman, McEveley.

Yellow card : Flitcroft.

Goals: Dickov 26, Todd 54.

Newcastle: Given, Taylor, Andrew O'Brien, Hughes, Elliott (Bramble 60), Milner (Bernard 70), Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Bellamy, Kluivert (Ameobi 45). Subs Not Used: Harper, N'Zogbia.

Yellow card: Elliott, Robert.

Goals: Dyer 6, Robert 34.

Ref: M Messias(Uriah Rennie)

Attendance 29,271.