Rovers 0 Everton 2

[Alan75]

Rovers 0 Everton 2

Rovers paid the price of missed early chances, for after having dominating the first 20 minutes of the game, Rovers took a sucker punch when against the run of play Everton’s James McFadden scored with a header.

Despite this set back, Rovers had been so much in control of the game, that an equaliser was surely on the cards, that is, until referee Mark Halsey brandished a card of his own to Andy Todd, that infuriated supporters in the Blackburn End of the ground who had seen no intent by Todd, when a Beattie hit the ball at close range at the defender. It was evident that Halsey hadn’t clearly seen the incident as he needed to consult his linesman before deciding to issue to Todd with a red card.

The loss of Todd, clearly affected the Rovers and before they could rearrange their defensive line up, Mikel Arteta’s shot from the edge of the box to beat the stranded Friedel in the Rovers goalmouth.

In his post match comments about the sending off Rovers manager Mark Hughes was reported as saying.

"I thought it was harsh,'' "Beattie flicked the ball into Andy's body and as he tried to adjust his position, he clipped it with his hand but you can't say there was any intent. That's the second sending off we have had this season with Mark Halsey in charge so you can say he is not the most popular guy around here at the moment.''

Halsey last month sent off defender Zurab Khizanishvili when Rovers lost 1-0 at Anfield, although that red card was later rescinded, by the FA.

Match Report