Birmingham 0 v Rovers 4

[Alan75]

Andy Cole and Lucas Neill returned to Blackburn’s squad for the away game against Birmingham after serving suspensions. However Garry Flitcroft was ruled out with a groin injury.

Although included in Steve Bruces initial squad, Birmingham’s England central defender Mathew Upson missed the game with a calf injury problem.

Half time 0-0

Full time 0-4

Birmingham:

Taylor, Kenna(Cisse 79), Cunningham, Tebily, Clapham, Johnson, Savage(Clemence 83), Dunn, Lazaridis(Morrison 73), Forssell, Dugarry.

Subs not used: Bennett, John.

Red card Dugarry

Blackburn:

Friedel, Babbel, Short, Todd, Gresko, Neill, Tugay, Ferguson, Emerton, Gallagher, Yorke(Cole 59).

Subs not used: Enckelman, Reid, Jansen, Baggio.

yellow card : Emerton

Goalscorers Ferguson, Neill, Tugay, Gallagher.

Referee: G Barber

Attendance 29,354

[Alan75]

Four goals in the second half gave Rovers a convincing win against Birmingham at St.Andrews this afternoon.

Rovers started the goal avalache after Cole’s pass put Ferguson through to let the midfielder to score in the 66 minute.

Cole who had come on for Yorke was again involved in the second goal 2 minutes later, when he headed down to let Lucas Neill score with a well placed left foot shot.

With Rover’s winning 2-0 Birmingham’s French striker Dugarry did’nt help their cause when he was sent off for his second yellow card after  fouling Andy Todd.

With Rover in total command of the game and with Ferguson running the midfield, his central midfield partner Tugay got in on the act when he made it 3-0 to Rovers in the 82 minute.

More joy was to come for the Rovers travelling fans, when local youngster Paul Gallagher got his first senior goal for the club in the 88 minute.

Details based on Roversworld Radio commentary

Full report will appear in Match Report Section when travelling supporters return