Article by Mark Graham, Stats Nerd
Blackburn Rovers 1 v 1 Manchester United, Ewood Park, 17.15pm, Saturday 19th April 2008.
Goals: Blackburn Rovers: Santa Cruz (21)  - Manchester United: Tevez (88).
Attendance: 30,316

Pre Match in the Fernhurst Pub
A 12.00pm drop off at your reporters favourite away venue for another flag day saw A racing Pigeon let off, copious amounts of Guinness drank & a few colourful characters met as the West Cumbria Reds Branch latest match saw us arrive with 5 hours to burn in the Fernhurst Pub.

With Kick off nearing & in what seemed like only 5 minutes instead of the 5 hours in the pub, your reporter (I' have no recollection of this) staggered toward The Darwen End of Ewood Park ready to watch the game.

Some of the older Reds usually turn up to Blackburn away in a mouldy, yellowish in colour, 70's butchers coat & the one we at MUFCINFO.COM spotted was one of the best, topped off by a blonde wig, this man from Chelmsford Reds was top notch.

Thanks for the pint mate!!!!!

MATCH REPORT
Another late late Carlos Tevez goal gave United a share of the spoils, but most importantly a priceless & immensely valuable point at Ewood Park on Saturday Evening keeping United three points ahead of hopefuls Chelski in the chase for the Premiership Title.

United had earlier gone behind after the prolific Roque Santa Cruz scored half way through the 1st half but a whole host of class saves from Brad Friedel kept United out until Carlos Tevez steered a header finally beating the awesome Blackburn Keeper.

SAF made key changes to his side with Barcelona looming in the distance as EVDS (groin) was replaced by Tomasz Kuszczak & Owen Hargreaves & Anderson both failing to get a place in the squad.

Returning were Nemanja Vidic & Nani who were included in the team starting & on the bench respectively.  United started slow with Kuszczak having to be called into action to hinder Jason Roberts from giving the home side the lead as early as the fifth minute with a save from close range.

The visitors replied with eventual hero Carlos Tevez missing a sitter after brilliant work from Rooney.

With Bentley & Pedersen, Santa Cruz & Friedel playing well it was easy to see just why Mark Hughes side have steadily improved under the former United striker as his building of a decent club continues & his side took a deserved lead in the 21st minute.

Morten Gamst Pedersen's throw in led to Vidic and Rio Ferdinand both attacking the ball & both failing to clear their lines, Santa Cruz then unmarked saw the ball strike Ferdinand & roll into the Paraguayan's path before he dispatched his chance making it his 20th goal of the season & as SAF says "squeaky bum time" as United fell behind.  Rovers then had a thunderous shot from David Bentley saved by Kuszczak as United were seemingly reeling from the opening goal as the home side took full charge of the game.

Rooney then could have, and maybe should have been sent off for United after an angry reaction after the White Pele felt he had been fouled in the box by Steven Reid.

The half ended in poor fashion for United as Rooney frustrated to say the least then two footed and at waist height floored Christopher Samba with referee Rob Styles awarding Rooney a yellow instead of Red. Editor: Lucky lucky boy.

Friedel the made a fine save from Ronaldo who met Ryan Giggs's corner before the half time whistle.

After a bolloking from SAF at half time, Nani replaced Giggs & United developed the required sense of urgency & penetration as shortly after Ronaldo with Brad Friedel beaten for once, saw his shot hit the post.  Blackburn who were dominant in the 1st half could have so easily made it two 15 minutes later when Pedersen crossed from the left straight across the United goal with no one in a Blue & white shirt to steer home.

A glut of chances then came United's way as Rooney made Friedel work with a shot, The White Pele suffering from a high challenge found Ronaldo soon after who was tackled brilliantly by Johann Vogel & as the ball turned loose, Carlos Tevez shot his effort goal bound only for Friedel to take the sting out of the shot, then scamper to prevent the ball going over the line.

A Michael Carrick header then struck Brett Emerton on the arm, but Rob Styles waved play on as United were battering the life out of Blackburn's defence with Friedel single handidly keeping his side in the game.  Rooney was the next to be denied after being through on goal and John O'Shea with hands on head was perplexed as the Captain America Goalkeeper kept his side 1-0 ahead.

With two minutes to go United then scored the goal there excellent attacking football deserved as another brilliant Nani corner was nodded into the danger zone by Paul Scholes, Tevez who is beginning to score more important goals than anyone this season, nodded his header high into the roof of the net beating Brad Friedel & sending the substantial away support in football heaven & some of us tears.

A big up goes to Kopperberg Cider & the Fernhurst Pub

Gatey, Grant, Tanner, Craig , Austin, Lee Dixon, Big Robert, Toddy, Flicker, Big Ged, Patty, Trevor, Trevor's Pigeon, Robert, Grant from Manchester, Elle, Derek, Susan, Dave W, Peter, Niffy, Mike, Mikes mate who was singing at a Liverpool fan in the Pizza shop a few weeks ago, and my ever suffering wife Stacy.

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