Welcome to Roger’s Rovers Advent Calendar - read the full story behind it and add your comments HERE.

Day: 22/30

Season: 2002/03

Fixture: Arsenal 1-2 Rovers (26/10/02)

Highlights

Why Chosen 

In Feburary 2019 Blackburn Rovers Football Club, in cooperation with their former players association (BRFPA), created the official club ‘Hall of Fame’. The names in the inaugural class of 2019 were of those who shaped Rovers’ illustrious history. Bob Crompton, Ronnie Clayton, Bryan Douglas, Derek Fazackerley, Simon Garner, Alan Shearer and today’s featured hero, Brad Friedel.

During Friedel’s career at Rovers, the American keeper had numerous standout performances (from which you no doubt have your own personal favourite) but in the 2002/03 he was simply the best. Fresh off the back of a magnificent performance at the World Cup in 2002, Friedel would earn Rovers Player of the Year and PFA Team of the Year honours. Even setting the record (for which he still holds) for most points from a goalie in Fantasy Premier League history (187 points – 15 clean sheets, 2 penalty saves).

The game in question saw Friedel put on a masterclass in goalkeeping. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said post match  “You felt as if there was an angel behind the goalkeeper” as the Ohioan made save after save. The Gunners had 29 Goal Attempts with 16 on target! Only a deflected free kick from Edu would beat the man of the match in one of the finest performances in Rovers colours.

Rovers would steal a famous victory thanks to an own goal from the aforementioned Edu, followed by an opportunistic strike from Dwight Yorke. It was Friedel though who stole the headlines, and rightfully so. 

Aftermath 

The 2002/03 edition of Rovers offered Souness at his finest, but also with a glimpse of his failings. 

Rovers, propelled by fabulous performances from Friedel, Dunn, Duff, Cole, Tugay and Yorke, would complete a double over Arsenal (2-0 victory at Ewood) along with two 4-0 wins in London, against both Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, the latter to clinch 6th spot in the final Premier League table and UEFA Cup football the following season. Rovers also made a valiant defence of the League Cup (see tomorrow) losing to eventual winners Manchester United  (2-4 on aggregate) in a memorable campaign.

The fiery Dunediner would let his own pride and ‘old school’ disciplinarian style get the better of him at various stages through the year however. Public fall outs with Andy Cole and David Dunn along with a nasty training ground ‘dust up’ with Dwight Yorke asked questions of the harmony of the squad and the effectiveness of Souey's style, particularly its shelf life.

Honourable Mentions 

Celtic 1-0 Rovers (31/10/2002) – Rovers’ first trip to ‘Paradise’ as the English team dominated for large spells, but in vain, as Henrik Larsson’s late strike gave the Glasgow side the advantage in the 1st leg. See a full recap from Scott Sumner here.

Liverpool 1-1 Rovers (26/12/2002) – A draw at Anfield, but a game best remembered for a wonder-strike from Andy Cole in front of the Kop.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-4 Rovers (11/5/2003) – Rovers rampant on the final day as they clinched a UEFA Cup spot with a dominant, emphatic performance at White Hart Lane. Yorke, Hignett, Duff (his last in Rovers colours) and Cole with the goals.