Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Fulham
In a scrappy game at Ewood Park. Blackburn took all three points wit a late 84t minute goal from Derbysire. Roque Santa Cruz headed the ball down to substitute Derbysire who slotted the ball into the net.
It was a game with few chances. Emerton rattled the bar and Fulham never really looked like scoring. An early Andy Johnson sot tipped over by Robinson was teir best effort Both defenses were well organised and a goaless draw looked on te cards until Ince made a series of attacking substitutions which paid off to give Ince and his team their first home win.
Blackburn midfielders Keith Andrews and Brett Emerton were both booked for successive fouls on Jimmy Bullard.
Blackburn boss Paul Ince:
"The clean sheet pleased me. It was important for the team.
"When you have got the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Matty Derbyshire you are always likely to score goals.
"Having a full week's preparation was massive. We have had four or five good days working really hard in training."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson:
"I thought our performance merited a draw. We were reasonably in control and the chances were there.
"But you are never really confident or happy on the bench at 0-0. We must come to terms with it.
"Andy Johnson is desperate to get off the mark for us."
Blackburn: Robinson, Simpson, Samba, Nelsen, Warnock, Emerton, Andrews, Pedersen (Kerimoglu 60), Treacy (Derbyshire 75), Roque Santa Cruz, Roberts (Villanueva 65).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Ooijer, Mokoena, Fowler.
Booked: Andrews, Emerton.
Goals: Derbyshire 84.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky, Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Gera, Johnson, Zamora.
Subs Not Used: Zuberbuhler, Ki-Hyeon, Nevland, Stoor, Dempsey, Andreasen, Kallio.
Att: 19,398
Ref: Lee Probert (Wiltshire).
Comments welcome below.
Paul Ince has been sacked by Blackburn Rovers after six months as manager of the Lancashire club.
