When City brought on their £27 million man Edin Dzeko - who was yet to open his account for the club - you just knew he'd be the man to spoil a good night for Rovers! Not that the visitors hadn't already come close to taking the lead - just 3 minutes into this crucial North West Derby. The game started with plenty of possession and pressure from City, and Silva looked certain to score when he took a shot from just outside the box and instead struck the post. In fact for the first half of the first half Blackburn struggled to get much of the ball - but from that point on they showed what they should be capable off. Phil Jones went on a long run and his enthusiasm seemed to kick Rovers into action. 0-0 at the break was only what they deserved - and possibly more when they had already had a penalty appeal rejected when Jason Roberts appeared to be fouled by Vincent Kompany. They continued to put the visitors under pressure after the break - with Jones and Samba both coming close, Jermaine Jones hitting the side netting. Just 3 minutes after coming off the bench Dzeko broke the deadlock - but City seemed to have another player active in an off side position - the goal stood. A further penalty appeal was ignored in injury time when Nikola Kalinic went down under a challenge. Not surprisingly Rovers felt hard done by, and felt certain they should have at least shared the points. Jason Roberts started up front with Benjani. Mame Diouf and Niko Kalinic replaced them in the final quarter. David Dunn was also subbed when he seemed to pick up an injury. Ruben Rochina took his place and set up Phil Jones who headed over the bar. The Rovers youngster obviously impressed - picking up the sponsors 'Man of the Match' award.
Talking to RADIO ROVERS after the game Steve Kean spoke of his frustration "It is very very tough to take as I thought we were magnificent. If there was anybody that looked likely to score it was going to be us. We had a little bit of a tough time in the first 15 minutes but I thought we finished the first half really well. .... In the second half we came out of the blocks really well and if anybody was going to score then it was going to be us, we'd pinned them back well." Steve Kean also believed that the Dzeko goal it shouldn't have stood as Mario Balotelli impeded Paul Robinson's view when offside. An opinion shared with RADIO ROVERS by the Rovers keeper. Kean said "We are disappointed with a couple of decisions as well because we feel that the goal was offside. Paul Robinson is a very honest player and he said that he had to gamble, to dive to see where the ball was going to be because he couldn't actually see it because Balotelli is stood right right in front of him. So that is one tough decision to take and then at the other end we have Niko Kalinic who gets bumped but he is honest enough to stay on his feet and he doesn't get the decision. In the first half Jason Roberts is clipped, but having seen it again there is a little bit of a delay before he went down, but I don't know if that is as much of a penalty as the Niko Kalinic one."
Blackburn have just 5 days 'till they are back in action at Ewood - Bolton Wanderers the next task in what must now be a 'must win' game. (25th April 2011)

A first start of Ruben Rochina, and some positive play in the first half wasn't matched by a second period dominated by the home side as Rovers lost 2-0 to Everton and piled on the pressure as they try to avoid the drop. The first half was nothing to right home about - but Blackburn defended well and would have been happy to reach the break with a clean sheet. But it only took 9 minutes after the return for Leon Osman to put the first past Paul Robinson, and from then on Everton made it very hard for the visitors. With an hour gone Jason Roberts replaced Roque Santa Cruz, then Gael Givet went off and Morten Gamst Pedersen took his place. But little changed and few chances were created. Then a penalty was awarded for a foul by Phil Jones on Seamus Coleman, and Leighton Baines scored from the spot.As a last throw of the dice Benjani came on for Rochina who'd made little impact in the second half. According to the stats Rovers only registered two attempts on target and 2 off - with 7 & 10 the equivalent for Everton.
Steve Kean told reporters "I thought there were massive positives for us in the first half so we're disappointed by the manner of the goals we've conceded. But we'll move on. Our away statistics aren't great but our belief is not shattered. Our team spirit has been called upon but we've got that in abundance. We must try to build some momentum, starting with our next game against Manchester City."
And it's City live on TV as an Easter Monday night treat from Ewood - followed by another home must win against Bolton a fortnight today. And one other fixture should now be confirmed - Manchester United will NOT be busy on Saturday 14th May - as they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester City at Wembey 1-0. United should now play Rovers in the final home fixture of the season live on SKY at 12:15 that afternoon. (16th April 2011)

Nelsen goes under the knife