Bellamy double and Rovers come from behind - then lose at Chelsea
Chelsea 4 - Rover 2
Before the quarter hour mark, Blackburn already trailed champions Chelsea 2-0, [ Didier Drogba 9'46 & Frank Lampard (pen) 12'15] but then a remarkable fight back gave Craig Bellamy two and the teams went in at the break all square at 2-2. Sadly Rovers brave efforts failed to keep out Joe Cole and Frank Lampard, who both netted in the second half to keep Chelsea's home league record in tact, but Blackburn earned a lot of respect for the battling performance, and Mark Hughes was full of praise. He told rovers.co.uk "I thought we were excellent in the first half, we gave ourselves a mountain to climb by going two goals down. I thought the penalty was a harsh decision and we didn't really defend the first goal, they caught us cold and we found ourselves two goals down very quickly. "We dominated play and caused them problems and got right back into the game."
It was the FIRST time the Blues had conceded more than one goal in a home game all season - an perhaps a pointer to just how far Rovers have come under Mark Hughes - no disgrace in this defeat, and the Blackburn Boys can be proud of the impact at the Bridge.(29th October 2005)
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Rovers away to Charlton in Carling Cup draw
Blackburn got an away tie at high flying Charlton in the draw for the fourth round of the Carling Cup. After two home games against Huddersfield and Leeds - Blackburn's luck ran out and this will be a much tougher test. Charlton beat Chelsea on penalties in round three.
FULL DRAW
Bolton v Leicester Manchester United v West Brom Doncaster v Aston Villa Arsenal v Reading Wigan v Newcastle Charlton v Blackburn Middlesbrough v Crystal Palace Millwall v Birmingham (29th October 2005)
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Bellamy does it again ... goals from Dickov, Emerton and Neill
Rovers 3 - Leeds 0
Leeds United came to Ewood to play their part in this 3rd Round Carling cup game - but failed to really test Rovers resolve or goal. It was 0-0 at half time, but Blackburn could have already notched up a good lead, then with Craig Bellamy on for Shefki Kuqi the whole pace of the game seemed to change. Craig set up all three goals, first from Bret Emerton (60'00), then it was Paul Dickov's turn (76'00) and finally with Leeds down to 10 men Lucas Neill completed the job (89'00). Another clean sheet for Rovers and a place in the final 16.
Of Craig Bellamy, Mark Hughes told reporters "He has so much quality in the attacking third and generally has an impact when he comes on, which he has done again here. We have to get him playing regularly and he is not far from full fitness. I want to progress in this competition and think it is better to start with your strongest side." (25th October 2005)
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Dickov (pen) and Bellamy claim points
Rovers 2 - Birmingham City 0
A Penalty from Paul Dickov - his first goal this season for Rovers, and for Craig Bellamy a first League goal helped Blackburn earn a clean sheet and all three points at Ewood. The first half saw few chances for either side, but after the break despite plenty of pressure from Brum, it was Rovers who got the breakthrough from the penalty spot after a foul by Matthew Upson on Paul Dickov who took the spot kick after the restart. Craig Bellamy came of the bench and sealed the match with an 80th minute strike.
Mark Hughes told reporters "I am delighted that Craig Bellamy has been able to make an impact. His goal showed exactly what he gives us and why we bought him - he plays off the shoulder of the defenders and he is always a threat. But from the moment Paul Dickov scored the penalty, we were comfortable and there was only going to be one winner.." Rovers now have 14 points and moved up to 9th place. (22nd October 2005)
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Zurab Red - recinded ...

Rovers.co.uk report that Blackburn have been successful in their appeal over the sending off of defender Zurab Khizanishvili against Liverpool on Saturday. Zurab saw red after bringing down Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse in the game at Anfield. But after the appeal, he is now cleared to play against Birmingham City at Ewood Park this Saturday.
Mark Hughes told the club website "Obviously we are delighted that it means that our appeal has been upheld as Zurab is now free to play, but it also leaves you wondering what might have happened on the day."(18th October 2005)\
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Zurab Red card to be contested
Liverpool 1 - Blackburn 0
Rovers went down 1-0 at Anfield, but played for 60 minutes with 10 men after Zorab Khizanishvili saw red in an incident that is fiercely contested by Manager Mark Hughes. Zurab was adjudged to have fouled Djibril Cisse - an the ref first seemed to think that a penalty should be awarded. After consulting his assistant, Mr. Halsey decided instead to award a free kick from the edge of the area and send Zurab off for a professional foul.
Blackburn matched Liverpool in most areas, and only when another free kick was awarded on 75 minutes did Cisse break the deadlock to make it 1-0.
Hughes told reporters "There were players getting back and the referee needs to look at the decision because he has affected the outcome - we will appeal. If we don't appeal we will lose him and also Lucas Neill at right-back, and that's our cover taken out in one go."
Neill picked up a yellow to bring his tally to 5 and will miss a game. (15th October 2005)
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2goals - 2-0 - 8th Place
Blackburn 2 - West Brom 0
Rovers added anothet striker to the goal scoreres this season with a brace from substitute Shefki Kuqi to continue the winning habbit in the Premiership and at Ewood. After a quiet first half - with the best of the chances going to the visitors, it ws 0-0 at the break and Rovers moved up a gear. Things hadn't looked great for Blackburn when (after 14 minutes) Craig Bellamy went of injured to make way for Kuqi to join Paul Dickov up front. Mark Hughes decided to continue his attacking formation and was rewarded on 79 minutes when a Morten Gamst Pederesen corner was perfect for Shefki to head home. His second came after a poor West Brom back pass fell favourably with just 3 minutes to go and the on loan striker had no trouble making it 2-0.
Mark Hughes told Radio Rovers "I was pleased for him, he made a difference when he came on he's got great energy, a great desire to make an impact. He took his goals very well."
West Brom manager Bryan Robson: asmitted " Blackburn stepped up the pace and we couldn't really cope with that. "We didn't pass the ball to take the pressure off ourselves and if you do that you are going to get punished." (1st October 2005)
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