Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by Ski France |
Match Report
It's a beautiful clear and sunny day here at Ewood Park where Blackburn Rovers play host to Wigan Athletic. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in great condition.
Blackburn Rovers are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Wigan Athletic appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Mick Shaw.
The pitch is in great condition.
Blackburn Rovers are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Wigan Athletic appear to be shaped for 3-4-3.
Today's match is refereed by Mick Shaw.
0.00
0-0Blackburn Rovers kick off and get the first half underway!
4.33
0-0Dinu Savu makes a beautiful pass to the feet of Robert Upson. Robert Upson threads a neat ball through to Gavin Kirkland. Gavin Kirkland knocks in a cross ball towards Alistair Summerbee. Alistair Summerbee knocks the ball goalwards with his head. The ball is well placed but the keeper is more than a match for it. Quality keeping!
8.33
1-0Showing composure, Peter McManaman plays the ball forward to Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens skips past Dinu Savu! Some good footwork from Laurent Claessens provides some space. He shoots at goal. Christos Kyriakidis is helpless! The ball slams into the back of the net - goal!!
14.15
1-0Mick Lineker comes in with a late challenge on Lars Heggem. Mick Lineker is shown the yellow card! Lars Heggem runs off the knock.
15.15
1-0Alistair Summerbee runs straight at the opposition's defence. Alistair Summerbee makes a probing pass to Mervin Boertien but he's offside!
20.19
Mervin Boertien chips the ball to his team mate, Robert Upson. Robert Upson shoots from 25 yards. The ball edges just beyond the reach of the keeper, thudding into the back of the net. Goal!!
24.11
1-1Peter McManaman takes it forward alone. Peter McManaman lofts in a cross ball towards Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens connects with a diving header but it rises well off target!
26.34
1-1Alistair Summerbee knocks the ball forward to Mick Lineker. Mick Lineker knocks in a cross ball which is cleared easily by the defence.
27.03
Richard Beckham flicks a high pass forward to Sylvain Keegan who brings the ball under control. Sylvain Keegan flicks a high ball forward to Markus Witte who takes it down. Markus Witte lofts in a cross ball towards Gavin Kirkland. Gavin Kirkland powers a header at goal. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Excellent keeping!
30.32
Steven Power hits a low pass to Peter McManaman. Peter McManaman passes the ball forward to Laurent Claessens. Laurent Claessens knocks in a cross ball towards Tomas Mendes. Tomas Mendes flicks the ball with his head. The keeper is on top of it. Excellent keeping!
34.23
Peter McManaman chips the ball to his team mate, Jamie Salmon. Jamie Salmon knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Christos Kyriakidis who gathers it comfortably.
36.19
Dean Potts flicks a high pass forward to Gavin Kirkland who brings the ball under control. Gavin Kirkland knocks in a cross ball towards Mervin Boertien. Mervin Boertien whips the ball goalwards with his head. Ralph Britton gathers the ball up comfortably. Fabulous stop!
38.21
Pierre-Yves Keita makes a beautiful solo run. Pierre-Yves Keita passes the ball forward to Max Peters. Max Peters lofts in a cross ball towards Peter McManaman. Peter McManaman whips the ball goalwards with his head. Magnificent save by Christos Kyriakidis!
45.00
The whistle blows and the first half comes to an end!
Both teams emerge for the second half. Blackburn Rovers appear unchanged since the first half. Wigan Athletic also appear unchanged since the first half. The Blackburn Rovers players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
Wigan Athletic kick off!
47.02
Alistair Summerbee makes an attacking run forward. Alistair Summerbee knocks in a cross ball towards Mick Lineker. Mick Lineker makes a deft header. The ball clips the inside of the post and flies into the back of the net!! Goal for Wigan Athletic!
51.44
Alistair Summerbee takes a quick throw-in, lobbing the ball to the feet of Robert Upson. Robert Upson hits a low pass to Markus Witte. Markus Witte knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Steven Power.
60.24
1-2Blackburn Rovers have made 2 substitutions with Robert Eustace replacing Kubilay Izzet and Dean Laver replacing Tomas Mendes and appear to have rearranged themselves into a 3-4-3 formation.
63.26
Pierre-Yves Keita controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Jamie Salmon. Jamie Salmon runs straight at the opposition's defence. Jamie Salmon knocks in a cross ball towards Dean Laver. Dean Laver heads the ball goalwards. What a cracker!! Christos Kyriakidis had no chance!! Goal for Blackburn Rovers!
67.18
Gavin Kirkland chips the ball to his team mate, Markus Witte. Markus Witte whips in a cross ball towards Gavin Kirkland. Gavin Kirkland connects with a diving header but is denied by Ralph Britton. Excellent save.
71.44
2-2Richard Beckham barges into Dean Laver. The referee calls over Richard Beckham and shows him a yellow card! Dean Laver gets up, but that knock is affecting his game.
75.22
Richard Beckham pushes up the pitch. Richard Beckham laces a weighted ball forward to Alistair Summerbee. Alistair Summerbee makes a great pass forward. Markus Witte runs clear and latches on but the linesman indicates offside!
78.21
Jamie Salmon flicks a high pass forward. Peter McManaman holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Peter McManaman shoots from long range. The ball flies a good few feet wide of the post.
79.14
2-2Dean Potts knocks the ball to his team mate, Robert Upson. Robert Upson threads a neat ball through to Markus Witte. Markus Witte knocks in a cross ball towards Gavin Kirkland. Pierre-Yves Keita catches Gavin Kirkland on the ankles. Penalty not given!!
83.03
Steven Power controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Dean Laver. Dean Laver lofts in a cross ball towards Francis Marsden. Francis Marsden outjumps his marker and heads the ball goalward. Christos Kyriakidis gathers the ball up comfortably. Top class keeping!
84.17
Robert Upson sees Gavin Kirkland in space ahead and quickly passes the ball. Gavin Kirkland sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The ball comes in low, but Ralph Britton smothers it!
89.36
Lars Heggem flicks the ball to his team mate, Max Peters. Max Peters threads a neat ball through to Jamie Salmon. Jamie Salmon knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Dean Potts.
90.00
The whistle blows full-time!
Match Statistics
Goals
2
2
Shots on Target
5
7
Shots off Target
2
0
Offsides
0
2
Fouls
0
2
Yellow Cards
0
2
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
41.4%
58.6%
Play Area
25.7%
44.3%
30%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Robert Upson of Wigan Athletic |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Ralph Britton (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Steven Power (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Lars Heggem (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Pierre-Yves Keita (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Kubilay Izzet (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Peter McManaman (MID) | 9 | |
| 7. | Francis Marsden (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Jamie Salmon (MID) | 7 | |
| 9. | Max Peters (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Laurent Claessens (ATT) |  | 8 |
| 11. | Tomas Mendes (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Robert Eustace (MID) | 6 | |
| 13. | Dean Laver (ATT) | | 8 |
| 14. | Tommy Deane (ATT) | 0 | |
| 1. | Christos Kyriakidis (GK) | 7 | |
| 2. | Dean Potts (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Dinu Savu (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Richard Beckham (DEF) |  | 6 |
| 5. | Sylvain Keegan (MID) | 6 | |
| 6. | Mervin Boertien (MID) | 7 | |
| 7. | Alistair Summerbee (MID) | 8 | |
| 8. | Robert Upson (MID) | | 9 |
| 9. | Markus Witte (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Mick Lineker (ATT) | | 7 |
| 11. | Gavin Kirkland (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | Luke Greaves (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Jody Shearer (MID) | 0 | |
| 14. | Robert Cooke (ATT) | 0 | |