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West
Bromwich Albion v Blackburn Rovers
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 26th April 2005, 7.45pm. |
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Match
Preview |
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| Result |
West Bromwich Albion |
1 - 1 |
Blackburn Rovers |
| Scorers |
Kieran Richardson (32) |
Brett Emerton (64) |
| Attendance |
25,154 |
| Teams |
4-4-2
1 - Russell Hoult (GK)
14 - Martin Albrechtsen
19 - Neil Clement
4 - Thomas Gaardsoe
3 - Paul Robinson
24 - Ronnie Wallwork
12 - Richard Chaplow
15 - Kieran Richardson
21 - Kevin Campbell
11 - Zoltan Gera
9 - Geoff Horsfield |
4-5-1
(GK) Brad Friedel - 1
Dominic Matteo - 22
Aaron Mokoena - 15
Lucas Neill - 2
Ryan Nelsen - 29
Andy Todd - 24
Brett Emerton - 7
Morten Gamst Pedersen - 12
Steven Reid - 18
Robbie Savage - 31
Jonathan Stead - 9 |
| Substitutes |
29 - Tomasz Kuszczak (GK)
5 - Darren Moore
2 - Riccardo Scimeca
34 - Robert Earnshaw
25 - Nwankwo Kanu |
(GK) Peter Enckelman
- 13
Garry Flitcroft - 5
David Thompson - 20
Kerimoglu Tugay - 8
Paul Gallagher - 19 |
| Substitutions |
N Kanu for R Chaplow (63)
R Scimeca for K Campbell (63)
R Earnshaw for G Horsfield (79) |
K Tugay for A Mokoena
(56)
D Thompson for M Pedersen (83)
P Gallagher for R Savage (87) |
| Yellow Cards |
Geoff Horsfield (3)
Paul Robinson (44)
Riccardo Scimeca (90) |
Dominic Matteo (34)
Lucas Neill (59)
Morten Gamst Pedersen (60)
Andy Todd (61) |
| Red Cards |
None |
None |
| Referee |
S Bennett (Orpington) |
The sense of anti-climax
was tangible. The defeat at the Riverside was accepted with the
knowledge that we had our game in hand that could take us back out
of the drop zone. It was always going to be difficult to break Blackburn
down - they had only conceded one goal in their previous eight Premiership
games - but having got the goal, there was comfort in the fact that
Rovers also find it difficult to score these days. Whether it was
a lucky break or poor defending, it was a goal that the visitors
deserved as a combination of tension and tiredness finally took
their toll on the Baggies players.
Robson opted to return to his battering ram front two of Campbell
and Horsfield against a notoriously physical Blackburn side, and
also brought Albrechtsen back in at right back. Richardson was back
from injury to take his place in midfield.
The tone of the game was set very early on as the visitors imposed
their physical nature on the game giving the Albion players no time
on the ball and crunching into the tackles - it was like facing
the Albion under Gary Megson, well at least when they were successful.
The early stages produced little goalmouth incident with a shot
from Gera and a header from Matteo the only real chances.
There were then two penalty shouts in quick succession in the Blackburn
box, both ignored by referee Steve Bennett. First of all, Kevin
Campbell appeared to be brought down by Andy Todd and then a shot
from Ronnie Wallwork struck Lucas Neill's hand. Albion were beginning
to get the upper hand but the Rovers defense proved to be a well
organised and well disciplined unit.
Blackburn went close themselves when Neill flighted in an excellent
cross that seemed destined for the girly-haired one until Gera made
a crucial interception.
The visitors physical game cost them dear just after the half hour.
Nelson fouled Horsfield to give the home side a great opportunity
with a free kick from 25 yards. Clement lined up with a long approach,
but then Richardson nipped in and curled a wonderful effort over
the wall and beyond Friedel's left hand to give the Baggies the
lead.
A goal up, Albion suddenly stopped playing. They dropped deep and
gave the five-man Blackburn midfield far too much time and space.
As a result, the visitors dominated the remainder of the half and
almost grabbed an equaliser. A clearing header from Albrechtsen
fell on the edge of the box for Jon Stead, and his fierce shot struck
the inside of the post and rebounded along the goalline and out
for a goal kick.
The second half started in torrential rain, but it proved to be
better for the Baggies as they looked to take the game to Rovers
once again. Clement missed a golden opportunity just six minutes
after the break when he met Chaplow's header unmarked on the far
post but failed to hit the target.
But Albion's early promise in the second period faded as the efforts
of the past week and the heavy ground seemed to be taking their
toll on the Baggies players. Once again, they started to drop deep
and give the Rovers midfield far too much space. The visitors started
to get the upper hand as Campbell and Horsfield were struggling
to keep any sort of possession.
Just after the hour, Robson made changes to bring Scimeca and Kanu
on for Chaplow and Campbell. Kanu played more of a midfield role
as Albion looked to match Blackburn's five man midfield.
Barely had the changes been made when it all went pear shaped for
the Baggies. Clement seemed to be dealing with a long ball over
the top to Pedersen. But the tackle was not strong enough and the
ball broke for Pedersen to run through on goal. With Albion short
at the back, Pedersen was able to square it to the unmarked Emerton
on the left side of the area and the Australian made no mistake
in firing high into the roof of the net.
It was a body blow for the already flagging Albion players and they
never really recovered. Indeed, it was the visitors who looked the
more likely to grab the winner as the game went on. Savage had a
great chance that Hoult managed to save and Robinson saved Clement
further anguish after he'd missed a tackle on Pedersen.
Clem was also involved at the other end when he got on the end of
Wallwork's free kick, but it was a difficult chance and he could
only poke the ball over the bar. Earnshaw came on late in the game,
but it was never going to be the sort of match he would succeed
in. The packed midfield prevented Albion from playing the balls
through that Earnie thrives on, and the high balls up to him were
a complete waste of time.
There was a faint hope in injury time when Albion were awarded a
free kick in a similar position to the one Palace scored late from
at the Hawthorns in February, except on the opposite flank. Wallwork,
who'd been one of Albion's better performers, completely miscued
his free kick and the last chance was gone.
In the end, most Albion fans will be grateful for a point from the
poor second half that keeps the Baggies unbeaten at home in 2005,
although it leaves an extremely tough task to get out of trouble.
With three games to go, three sides are separated only by goal difference
with Southampton two points back. It's all to play for but it really
means that Albion have to beat either Arsenal or Man Utd to give
themselves a chance of a last day miracle.
If Albion have any advantage, it is that both our next two games
kick off after our rivals' games will have finished, so we'll know
exactly where we stand. Anything can happen, of course, and hope
remains - although as Adrian Chiles always tells us, it's the hope
that gets you in the end.
Marks
Russell Hoult - 7 - One great save and a decent all round performance.
Martin Albrechtsen - 6 - Pretty mixed from Martin.
Neil Clement - 6 - Should've done better for the goal and, like
most around him, looked shaky in the second half.
Thomas Gaardsoe - 6 - Did OK.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Another decent performance from Robbo.
Ronnie Wallwork - 7 - One or two excellent crosses and some good
simple stuff in the middle.
Richard Chaplow - 7 - Another solid game; learning all the time.
Kieran Richardson - 8 - MOM. Fantastic goal and a constant threat.
Kevin Campbell - 5 - Looked very tired.
Geoff Horsfield - 6 - Started OK but faded as the game went.
Zoltan Gera - 7 - Much better than Saturday and looked to be one
of the brighter performers.
Riccardo Scimeca - 6 - Did OK.
Nwankwo Kanu - 7 - Worked hard and kept the ball well.
Robert Earnshaw - 5 - Another ineffectual contribution.
Bryan Robson - 6 - Possibly should've changed it at half time to
match their five man midfield as it was obvious that the players
had had it.
Jon Want, 27th April 2005.
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