English Premier League – Match Analysis: Blackburn versus Wolverhampton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers line up: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Emerton, Jones, Pedersen, E H Diouf, Dunn, Roberts. Subs: Bunn, Kalinic, Benjani, Hoilett, Hanley, Morris, M B Diouf.
Wolverhampton Wanderers line up: Hennessey, Elokobi, Ward, Berra, Jarvis, Milijas, Mancienne, Mouyokolo, Zubar, Doyle, Foley. Subs: Hahnemann, Stearman, Ebanks-Blake, Hunt, Bent, Winnall, Doherty.
Wolves started off the match with a spark of pace as Matt Jarvis surged down the right hand side and unleashed a wicked shot inside target on the 2nd minute of the encounter. Robinson, the Blackburn goalkeeper was at hand to save his team’s blushes
as the home side successfully defended against the fast winger. In the 5th minute, Stephen Ward let loose a brilliant shot on target for the visitors, his shot was accurate and powerful enough to beat Robinson but then it struck the goalpost and
came out straight to Ronald Zubar. The defender tried his luck with a curler but his effort went out of play via a deflection off the goal post.
Wolves were made to pay for their slack finishing within the first 10 minutes of the match as Nelson connected with a corner kick in the 29th minute. His downward header fell to Dunn who then got the slightest of touch on the ball to send it home.
Dunn’s goal gave Blackburn an unlikely lead at Ewood Park as Wolves were left seething consolation.
Right before the half time whistle, Blackburn struck again as this time a long ball forwards was collected by Jason Roberts. The bulky striker laid it off to Emerton who made no mistake in applying a clinical finish to the move as Blackburn took a two goal
lead.
However, that wasn’t the end of the saga. In the second half of the match, Wolves tried to stage a comeback but they were unsuccessful. The start of the second half saw Jarvis in action for Wolves as he tried play in Ebanks Blake inside the Blackburn penalty
area but the home team’s defense was on hand to intercept the pass as Nelson cleared the ball away. On other occasions, Hunt was a troublesome figure for Blackburn as the Wolves winger had the best of Samba therefore his trickery and skill had no end product
as Wolves were dealt with another shock in the 55th minute.
Pederson took the set piece for Blackburn as he hoofed the ball into Wolverhampton’s penalty area. The Norwegian winger’s cross was immaculate as Nelson connected and bundled the ball in from close range. After getting their third goal of the match, Blackburn
sat back and played counter attacking football. Despite having a fair share of possession in the second half of the match, Wolves never really threatened the Blackburn goal after hitting the post twice in the 5th minute of the first half.
Nevertheless, the game ended with a three goal Blackburn win. It was a fine performance by David Dunn and Co. who couldn’t train in mid-week due to snow and other weather issues. It was a good solid performance by the Rovers whose win over Wolves propelled
them to 8th place in the English Premier League.
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