Match Report


Green Towers Spa
today's match is sponsored by Green Towers Spa
Match Report
An overcast sky looms overhead here at Ewood Park where Blackburn Rovers play host to Liverpool. Its a sell-out today with the 21,000 capacity stadium completely full.
The pitch is in good condition.
Both Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool are lined up in a 4-2-4 formation.
Today's match is refereed by Ashley Middleton.


0.00
Liverpool start the game by kicking off the first half!
2.31
Igor Onopko threads a neat ball through to Ed Dijkstra. Without breaking stride, Ed Dijkstra plays the ball forward to Igor Onopko. Igor Onopko plays a one-two with Jonatan Johansson and advances towards the goal... Igor Onopko comes in from the left and smashes a shot from 11 yards out but somehow Vladimir Keown manages to keep it out.
3.45
Igor Onopko makes a probing pass to Jonatan Johansson. Jonatan Johansson lofts in a cross ball towards Igor Onopko. Igor Onopko makes a convincing header but Vladimir Keown reads it well. Well saved!
4.53
Igor Onopko flicks a high pass forward. Joao Moreira controls it well on his chest. Joao Moreira knocks in a cross ball towards Torsten Winkler. Torsten Winkler rises majestically and gets a header on goal. The ball skims just under the bar, beyond the keeper's outstretched hand. Goal!!
8.03
Gabriel Castro brings the ball forward. Gabriel Castro flicks a high pass forward. Tonton Dahlin collects the pass. Tonton Dahlin shoots from 20 yards. David Vargas gathers the ball up comfortably. Great keeping!
14.29
Gabriel Castro kicks a strong pass forward to Spencer Newton. Spencer Newton threads the ball through into the box. Nicolas Montero barges into Tonton Dahlin. Penalty not given!!
16.49
Igor Onopko flicks a high ball forward to Jesper Myssing who takes it down. Jesper Myssing shoots from outside the area but it's a woeful effort!
18.08
Alex Appiah knocks the ball forward to Victor Gimenez. Victor Gimenez flicks a high ball forward to Gabriel Castro who takes it down. Gabriel Castro whips in a cross ball towards Julian Izzet. Julian Izzet beats his man to it with a header. The ball edges inside the post - goal!!
21.15
Tonton Dahlin passes the ball forward to Spencer Newton. Spencer Newton knocks in a poor cross ball which is cleared easily by Riad Ghazi.
22.56
Igor Onopko knocks the ball to his team mate, Jonatan Johansson. Jonatan Johansson shoots from 20 yards. Solid save from Vladimir Keown.
24.17
Celestine Yekini catches Joao Moreira on the ankles. The referee calls over Celestine Yekini and shows him a yellow card! Joao Moreira runs off the knock.
26.48
Celestine Yekini advances with the ball. Celestine Yekini passes the ball forward to Tonton Dahlin. Tonton Dahlin tries a spectacular long range effort. The ball swerves in the air but the keeper is more than a match for it. Good save!
27.07
Seeing a gap ahead, Pascal Kiekens laces a weighted ball forward to Igor Onopko. Igor Onopko kicks a strong pass forward to Jonatan Johansson. Jonatan Johansson knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Celestine Yekini.
30.35
Jonatan Johansson flicks a high pass forward. Igor Onopko holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Igor Onopko advances inside the box! Igor Onopko rockets a shot on goal. The ball flies into the top corner - goal!!
33.54
Gabriel Castro kicks a strong pass forward to Wilco Seedorf. Wilco Seedorf shoots from 20 yards but it slams into the crowd!
34.05
Celestine Yekini makes a run forward as Eric Dehm takes the throw-in. Celestine Yekini skillfully chests the ball down. Celestine Yekini chips the ball to his team mate, Eric Dehm. Seeing a gap ahead, Eric Dehm plays the ball forward to Gabriel Castro. Gabriel Castro sees the keeper off his line and tries a speculative shot on goal. The ball dips but the keeper is more than a match for it. Excellent save!
40.04
Gabriel Castro surges forward with the ball. Gabriel Castro makes a probing pass to Julian Izzet. Julian Izzet lofts in a cross ball towards Victor Gimenez. Victor Gimenez gets a glancing touch on the cross ball. Fantastic reaction save from David Vargas!
45.00
The first half ends with the referee blowing his whistle!

Both teams emerge for the second half. Blackburn Rovers appear unchanged since the first half. Liverpool 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
Blackburn Rovers kick off and get the second half underway!
47.47
Riad Ghazi flicks a high pass forward. Igor Onopko controls it well on his chest. Igor Onopko knocks the ball to his team mate, Torsten Winkler. Torsten Winkler passes the ball forward to Igor Onopko. Igor Onopko looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal but it is tipped over by Vladimir Keown.
48.29
Ed Dijkstra takes the corner, chipping the ball into the box. Gabriel Castro reaches the ball and heads it out of the danger area!
51.45
Max Idrissa flicks a high pass forward. Igor Onopko controls it well on his chest. Igor Onopko knocks in a cross ball towards Jonatan Johansson. Jonatan Johansson rises majestically and gets a header on goal. The ball flies towards the top corner but the keeper is able to reach it. Superb keeping!
53.29
Gabriel Castro barges into Jonatan Johansson. The referee reaches into his pocket ... it's a yellow card! Jonatan Johansson hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
54.45
Eric Dehm passes the ball forward to Gabriel Castro. Gabriel Castro flicks a high pass forward. Victor Gimenez holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Victor Gimenez whips in a cross ball towards Tonton Dahlin. Tonton Dahlin jumps high and flicks the ball with his head which easily beats the keeper. Goal!!
59.15
Celestine Yekini advances with the ball. Celestine Yekini threads the ball through to Julian Izzet. Julian Izzet knocks in a cross ball towards Gabriel Castro. Gabriel Castro connects with a diving header but slams it into the crowd!
60.28
Liverpool have made a substitution with Carlton Barmby replacing Igor Onopko .
63.41
Victor Gimenez barges into Pascal Kiekens. The referee calls over Victor Gimenez and shows him a yellow card! Pascal Kiekens runs off the knock.
67.13
Celestine Yekini makes a simple pass to Gabriel Castro. Gabriel Castro hits a low pass to Julian Izzet. Julian Izzet knocks in a cross ball towards Tonton Dahlin. Tonton Dahlin makes a deft header. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Good keeping!
69.03
Ed Dijkstra flicks a high pass forward. Jonatan Johansson controls it well on his chest. Jonatan Johansson finds some space and shoots from distance. Superb reactions from Vladimir Keown. What a save!
71.19
Pascal Kiekens deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Carlton Barmby. Carlton Barmby flicks the ball to his team mate, Jonatan Johansson. Jonatan Johansson knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Eric Dehm.
77.04
Blackburn Rovers have made 3 substitutions with Harry McManaman replacing Alex Appiah, Anthony Dichio replacing Victor Gimenez and Jamie Bramble replacing Julian Izzet .
78.09
Carlton Barmby surges forward with the ball. Carlton Barmby finds some space and shoots from distance but it misses the target by a large margin!
79.17
Eric Dehm flicks a high pass forward. Wilco Seedorf collects the pass. Wilco Seedorf knocks the ball forward to Gabriel Castro. Gabriel Castro lofts in a cross ball towards Wilco Seedorf. Wilco Seedorf makes a convincing header. The ball is well placed but the keeper is a match for it. Great keeping!
81.36
With imagination, Joao Moreira plays the ball forward to Torsten Winkler. Torsten Winkler plays a one-two with Ed Dijkstra and advances towards the goal... Torsten Winkler looks for support before firing off a hurried shot at goal. It's a goal!! What a beauty!
85.32
Gabriel Castro runs straight at the opposition's defence. Gabriel Castro shoots from 25 yards. David Vargas gathers the ball up comfortably. Good keeping!
89.04
Showing composure, Pascal Kiekens plays the ball forward to Joao Moreira. Joao Moreira threads the ball through to Torsten Winkler but he's offside!
90.00
The whistle blows full-time!

Match Statistics
Goals
2
3
Shots on Target
9
9
Shots off Target
2
2
Offsides
0
1
Fouls
3
0
Yellow Cards
3
0
Red Cards
0
0

Possession
51.1%
48.9%
Play Area
32.2%
43.3%
24.4%


Man of the Match
The man of the match was awarded to Igor Onopko of Liverpool

Match Ratings
1.Vladimir Keown (GK)
7
2.Norman Harrison (DEF)
6
3.Eric Dehm (DEF)
6
4.Celestine Yekini (DEF)yellow card
6
5.Alex Appiah (DEF)
6
6.Julian Izzet (MID)goal scored
7
7.Gabriel Castro (MID)yellow card
8
8.Victor Gimenez (ATT)yellow card
6
9.Wilco Seedorf (ATT)
6
10.Spencer Newton (ATT)
6
11.Tonton Dahlin (ATT)goal scored
7
 
12.Harry McManaman (DEF)
6
13.Anthony Dichio (DEF)
6
14.Jamie Bramble (GK)
6

1.David Vargas (GK)
8
2.Max Idrissa (DEF)
6
3.Pascal Kiekens (DEF)
6
4.Nicolas Montero (DEF)
6
5.Riad Ghazi (DEF)
6
6.Ed Dijkstra (MID)
6
7.Igor Onopko (MID)goal scored
9
8.Torsten Winkler (ATT)goal scoredgoal scored
8
9.Jonatan Johansson (ATT)
7
10.Joao Moreira (ATT)
6
11.Jesper Myssing (ATT)
6
 
12.Edmundo Vidal (DEF)
0
13.Carlton Barmby (MID)
6
14.Andre Pinto (ATT)
0