Rovers Keep European Dream Alive

[Guest Kamy100]

Rovers kept their outside chances of UEFA Cup football alive with a 3-1 victory against already relegated Derby County.

Fans expecting to Derby to rollover were in for a shock as they comfortably coped with Rovers in the first half and indeed created the better chances. Rovers were off the pace in the first half and struggled to breakdown hardworking Derby. A defensive mix up allowed Miller to race clear and slot past Friedal to give Derby the lead and give them hope of a rare win. Rovers were struggling and with the fans getting impatient equalised just before half time, Pedersen's effort was saved and the ball fell to to fans player of the year Santa Cruz who calmly stroked the ball past the sprawling keeper.

The second half was a totally different story as Rovers came out and dominated the game. Jason Roberts shot Rovers into the lead and then preceded to miss 3 great chances to add to that lead. Rovers were rampant with Bentley, Pedersen and Nelson also missing guilt edged chances. Derby could not reproduce their form of the first half and Rovers finished the game off when Santa Cruz grabbed his second by turning in Bentley's excellent cross.

So Rovers now go to Birmingham next week knowing that if they better Aston Villa's result then they will be back in Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

Match Details:

Blackburn: Friedel, Reid, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Bentley, Emerton, Vogel (Tuguy 61), Pedersen (Olsson 79), Santa Cruz, Roberts (Derbyshire 79).

Subs Not Used: Brown, Ooijer.

Goals: Santa Cruz 45, Roberts 47, Santa Cruz 77.

Derby: Carroll, Todd, Addison, Moore, McEveley, Mears, Savage, Ghaly (Sterjovski 66), Lewis (Villa 72), Earnshaw, Miller.

Subs Not Used: Price, Feilhaber, Beardsley.

Goals: Miller 19.

Att: 26,110

Ref: Uriah Rennie (S Yorkshire).