Rovers v Charlton. Post Match Review.

[Alan75]

On the day that Blackburn revealed their selection, of Goals of the Season, it was last seasons winner Damian Duff, who won the prize of Man of the Match today against Charlton Athletic.

With Charlton determined not to be mauled in the same manner as last week against Leeds, they lined up in a defensive formation, whilst Rovers lined up with the same team that beat Fulham 4-0 at Loftus Road.

Rovers started with all guns blaring and should have taken the lead in the third minute when Duff and Cole exchanged passes on the left before the little winger struck a first-time shot that was cleared by Dean Kiely.

With Duff returning to top form, the Republic of Ireland International was a thorn in Charlton’s side all afternoon, culminating in him scoring the only goal in the 35 minute. Collecting a knock down from Hakan Sukar, Duff dummied Charlton’s defender, move the ball on to his favoured left foot and fired home wide of keeper Kiely.

In the second half the defence minded, Charlton attempted to draw level, however Rovers defence were determined to keep a clean sheet, and the rampant Duff continued to cause Charlton problems.

With time running out, and Rovers failure to increase their lead, Charlton could have equalised, if it hadn’t have been for Friedel who tipped Scott Parker's close-range effort over the crossbar.

Final score Rovers 1 Charlton 0.

Rovers :

Friedel, Neill, Short, Berg, Gresko, Dunn, Tugay (Gillespie 70), Flitcroft, Duff (Grabbi 85), Sukur (Yorke 62), Cole.

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Kelly.

Charlton :

Kiely, Young, Fortune, Rufus, Powell, Konchesky, Parker, Kishishev (Blomqvist 77), Robinson (Johansson 63), Lisbie (Campbell-Ryce 86), Svensson.

Subs Not Used: El Khalej, Roberts.

Referee: Jeff Winter

Peter Jackson Man of the Match. Damian Duff

Attendance: 27,506

In his post match interview Graeme Souness was full of praise for Duff, and stated.

'Damien is a super player and he has been the difference today. He has earned his money this week.

'He is someone who runs with the ball and everyone likes dribblers don't they? They get you excited, they get you on the edge of your seat.

'The way he plays is very explosive and it is hard job we ask him to do. I don't need to tell him he has to track back - he is very willing worker for the side which makes him such a super player.

'It makes you think our results may have been better had we had him for the whole season. But this season has come on the back of a World Cup and that has resulted in injuries.'