West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Blackburn Rovers

By Jemma Tappenden
December 6 2008

After the disappointment of defeat at Premiership strugglers Newcastle, Tony Mowbray switched to a 4-4-2 formation at the Hawthorns for a must win fixture against Blackburn Rovers. Albion's solitary midweek goalscorer Ishmael Miller started in place of midfield favourite Chris Brunt, as the Baggies prepared to take on ex-Wolves Paul Ince and Keith Andrews.

Blackburn started the day just 2 points ahead of Albion, and the nervous scrappy start reflected the urgency for both sides to take something from the game.

The first chance of the game didn't materialise until the 6th minute, but when it did it was Albion who were pressing.  A splitting pass from Greening released Morrison down the right.  His centre was just a whisker from Bednar, who was already fully stretched to try and put the Baggies a goal up.

Two minutes later Rovers recorded their first attempt at goal, raptures of Baggies fans showing their delight as ex Wolves man Keith Andrews planted a 20 yard effort well wide of the target.  13 minutes into play the game finally threw up a talking point, as Jason Roberts controlled Warnocks throw in well and held off Donk in the box.  To the surprise of both Albion and Rovers players, the ref pointed to the spot.  Even a perplexed Roberts, against whom the alleged short tugging took place, couldn't seem to grasp what was happening.

McCarthy put the ball on the spot for Blackburn, and made no mistake in putting his side a goal up.  A sense of injustice rang around the Hawthorns, including on the pitch, where Albion players proceeded to put the traveling side under immense pressure.

The injustice was heightened by the failure of referee M.  Jones to notice Ryan Nelson's hand ball in the box, but as the ball broke free to Morrison, frustrations were clear as the midfielder packed a punch to sting keeper Paul Robinson with a 15 yard volley.

In the 26th minute Bednar should have made Simpson pay for his procrastination on the ball, but was too slow to latch onto the weak back pass to Robinson in goal.  The Baggies had Blackburn well and truly camped out in their own half, but were struggling to create clear cut chances. 

In the 36th minute however McCarthy was shown red after handling the ball deliberately from Olsson's deep clearance.  He had already seen yellow for a 19th minute tackle on Greening.  Despite the late first half pressure from Albion, nothing of any worth materialised, and the half drew to a close with Rovers still in front.

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Hoefkens made a rare appearance at half time, replacing Donk at right back, and Albion continued to press as they had in the first half.  A Greening corner provided Miller with a Chance, but he could only guide his header wide of the target. 

Another Nelson hand ball revived Albion penalty shouts in the 49th minute, but claims were waved away by the ref.  Two minutes later Morrison played a sublime ball to Bednar in the box, whose first touch let him down badly and allowed Nelson to intercept the danger. 

The most clear cut chance of the game went begging in the 54th minute as Morrison evaded the offside trap to play in Miller.  Amazingly having cleared Robinson in goal, Miller could only look on in horror as his effort rebound off the post.  The loose ball was cleared in bizarre fashion by Nelson, which saw the ball ricochet off the bar, and bounce just in front of the line before being cleared to safety.

Just a minute later however Albion were level.  After patient build up play Miller teed up Bednar in the box, who calmly slotted past Robinson to level the scores.

If nothing else the equaliser convinced Blackburn that more than just defence was needed in this game, and Roberts tried is luck with a shot straight at Carson.  A small period of Blackburn pressure was interrupted in the 62nd minute when Albion snatched the lead. 

Miller controlled Greening's pass perfectly, and spun Nelson with his back to goal to plant a perfect strike past Robinson from 20 yards.  The Baggies goal sprung life into Blackburn, and Albion fans held their breath as Perderson drilled a 25 yard effort just wide of the right hand post.

As the game entered its final stages the desperation in Rovers began to shine through as they piled men forward.  Andrews tested Carson with a long range shot, but the Baggies keeper was more than equal to the effort.  In the 80th minute Moore made an appearance at the expense of Miller, and a series of half chances materialsed for both sides.

But in the 89th minute the game took a cruel twist for the Baggies, as the ball broke to ex Wolves man Andrews, who buried a 25 yard strike past the helpless Carson to level the scores.

Albion rallied the troops in the final minutes, but there was to be no way through the Rovers defence this time.  A point a piece was the best both sides could hope for.

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Blackburn Rovers

Bednar (55)

Miller (62)

McCarthy (13 pen)

Attendance: 24,967