Brilliant come back - 3 goals in 15 minutes - Rovers make Quarter Finals
Charlton 2 - Blackburn 3
Blackburn looked to be on their way out of this years Carling Cup, when some remarkable substitutions turned the game around. Having conceded goals from Darren Ambrose on 37 minutes and Danny Murphy on 50, Blackburn needed to come up with some ideas and fast. Mark Hughes took off Brett Emerton for Shefki Kuqi and within two minutes the sub had scored from 12 yards to make it 2-1. Robbie Savage had already been replaced by David Thompson who was next to find the back of the net with a fantastic volley from 30 years - 2-2. Then with just a few minutes left of normal time, Morten Pedersen threaded through a ball to David Bentley who scored his first goal for Rovers and the winner! That sees Rovers join Bolton, Man U and Wigan from the North West in Saturdays Quarter Final draw.
Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "Once we got one goal on the board there was always a likelihood that we would could get back on level terms. At 2-0 down I would have taken 2-2 at that point, but once we got the second goal there was always a chance that we would go on and get a third. We just had to go for it, we made a couple of changes, went 4-3-3 to try to make something happen and thankfully the substitutions that we made got us back into the game. I'm delighted with the performance in the end." (30th November 2005)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND carling0506

Parkes takes up coaching roll at Blackpool as Hendry leaves
The Seasiders have a VERY Blackburn Rovers look about things - with Simon Grayson in temporary charge - Jason Wilcox on loan and now Tony Parkes appointed to the coaching staff. The news follows the expected departure of Rovers favourite Colin Hendry who's now left his roll as Manager. Colin told the bbc sports website "It has been a great learning curve, and I would like to thank Blackpool FC for the opportunity it has given me. It certainly has whetted my appetite for management and I would like to wish the players and supporters every success in the future."
Tony Parkes told BBC Radio Lancashire "I spoke to Colin and he gave me his full backing, and said to go for it. He knows, just like any other manager, that once you lose your job, someone else is going to come in and take it over. Just because I know him well makes no difference. He said to go for it, and he can't say any more than that." (30th November 2005)
bbc.co.uk (Parkes) AND bbc.co.uk (Hendry)

Jay to miss rest of season
On loan Rovers youngster Jay McEveley is to miss the rest of the season on loan at Ipswtitch "The ligament is torn completely - so Jay is out for the season, really. It's a real blow and he will need surgery," boss Joe Royle told Town's website. "We will talk to Blackburn and find out whether they want their specialist or our people to carry out the operation." Last season Jay picked up a serious injury when out on loan to Burnley (link to archive).(30th November 2005)
bbc.co.uk (full story)

Rovers lose to 3 'goals of the season' at Highbury
Arsenal 3 - Blackburn 0
A Gunners goal within the first set the scene for the afternoon - a class strike from Francesc Fabregas - but Rovers weren't daunted and proceeded to give as good as they got. It looked very likely that the next goal would come for Blackburn, but as half time approached - Thierry Henry scored his 100th at home for Arsenal. Rover continued to play some good football in the second half - hitting the woodwork and forcing some goal line saves and clearances. The final insult came from sub Robin Van Persie with less than a minute to play.
Mark Hughes told reporters "I'm pleased with the effort but the difference between the teams was in the final third. The telling pass wasn't there for us but it was for them." (26th November 2005)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

Rovers share the points at City
Blackburn returned to action in the Premiership minus Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton who only flew back from their International commitments on Friday. But the change gave a chance for David Thompson (sub)to return to first team action and also the return of Ryan Nelsen and Robbie Savage to the starting line-up, whilst Michael Gray made a remarkable recovery from injury (making his 200th appearance at the top level).
But despite chances for both sides - the defences kept out any opportunities, and at the end of a cold Autumn afternoon they had to settle for a point a piece. Mark Hughes told rovers.co.uk "Given the week that we had leading up to it, we've had a lot of guys away on international duty, and that made it a lot harder for us to prepare for the game. I don't think they had anybody away, that was a concern leading into the game. I thought it was a game were both sets of defenders were on top, I thought both back fours played excellently"
Blackburn are now level on points with West ham (who have games in hand) and Newcastle - all on 18. (19th November 2005)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

TV Game on January 2nd
Rovers v Portsmouth
Blackburn Rovers have announced that their Bank Holiday Monday game v Portsmouth at Ewood Park has been moved to accommodate SKY SPORTS.. The match had been secluded for a 3.00pm kick off - but now it will be an evening game - with a strange time of 7:35 pm (19:35 GMT) (16th November 2005)
rovers.co.uk

Brilliant Blackburn stop Charlton in their tracks
Rovers 4 - Charlton 1
It took less than two minutes for Brett Emerton to give Rovers the lead at Ewood, and a vibrant Blackburn added a second through Paul Dickov on 18'00. Although Charlton got back in it through Bryn Hughes on the half hour - that was really the only chance the (until today) unbeaten away from home Addics' came to matching their hosts. Thanks to Brad Friedal's great saves, and two more goals after the break - Morten Gamst Pedersen (57'00) and Craig Bellamy (90'00) it was Rovers day.
A delighted Mark Hughes told reporters "Our play was really positive and was probably as good a performance as I've seen here. We've played a very good side who were unbeaten away from home and won quite comfortably so we deserve credit for the way we've performed. We've not shouted from the rooftops about what we're trying to do. People usually say negative things."
It was a brilliant day in a season that's got better and better match by match .... AND no CARDS (again).
Charlton boss Alan Curbishley told the BBC
"You can't defend and perform the way we did and expect to win a football match. We lacked heart and it was lacklustre. Our away run had to end some time but I didn't think it would end like this. We were getting caught on the ball and Blackburn were sharper than us. I think we lost the plot about why we've done so well and what we need to do." (5th November 2005)
rovers.co.uk (reaction) bbc.co.uk (report) goals 0506 AND Tables and Tally 0506

NO Extra punishment for Sparky
BBC Sport report tat Blackburn manager Mark Hughes will not face any punishment from the FA after he was sent from the dug-out during Saturdays defeat at Chelsea. They could have charged the Rovers boss with 'misconduct', but have decided that Mike Riley's punishment on the day was sufficient. (1st November 2005)
bbc.co.uk

Rovers confirm cup date and details
BLACKBURN'S fourth round Carling Cup tie against Charlton will take place on Wednesday, November 30th at The Valley, kick-off 8.00pm.
The club say that tickets for the tie will be £15 for Adults, £10 for Seniors and £5 for Juniors. Details of their availability will be released shortly. (1st November 2005)
Carling 0506 rovers.o.uk (full details