Premier League - Blackburn grab draw

Eurosport - Sun, 02 Nov 10:03:00 2008

West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn played out a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns as Keith Andrews grabbed a last minute equaliser for Rovers.

FOOTBALL 2007-2008 Championship - Tony Mowbray, West Brom manager - 0

Benni McCarthy gave the visitors an early lead before he was sent-off for two bookable first-half offences.

Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller gave the Baggies the lead but Andrews's first goal since joining Rovers from MK Dons rescued his side a point.

For the first half hour, the game's central figure was South African striker McCarthy making just his second start of the season.

The Blackburn striker gave the visitors the lead in the 13th minute, thumping home a penalty given away by Ryan Donk.

After 20 minutes, however, McCarthy was booked for a tackle from behind and a quarter of an hour later, the former Porto man made his final contribution to the match.

Contesting a high ball, McCarthy was nudged in the back and he responded instinctively by raising a hand to the ball which saw referee Mike Jones produce a second yellow card.

His manager Paul Ince came on to the pitch at half-time in an attempt to remonstrate with the referee.

In McCarthy's absence, West Brom grew more and more confident, spending long periods in Blackburn territory as the visitors' defence and midfield sank deeper and deeper into their half.

Ten minutes after the break, Bednar took advantage of a clear sight of goal to fire the ball low past Paul Robinson and into the left-hand corner of the net.

And the hosts took the lead through Miller. The forward had been pivotal in most of West Brom's best moves and a sharp turn took him to the edge of the area, before unleashing a low, unerring shot past Robinson.

With nothing now left to lose, Ince sent on Morten Gamst Pedersen for Martin Olsson and soon after Jason Roberts panicked Scott Carson into an embarrassing flap at an Andrews cross.

And the equaliser came when Roberts' sheer physical presence allowed Andrews to pick up the ball 25 yards from goal.

The midfielder, who had shown a keenness to shot from distance throughout the match, struck the ball well with his right foot, giving Scott Carson no chance.

Tobias Gourlay / Eurosport

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  1. Andy if you are going to write in the blogs then learn English or is it the way you Lancsashire Tw3ts always speak "UP THE BAGGIES

    From tildesleym, on Sun 2 Nov 11:04PM

  2. Paul C. I suggest you read the rule book! A foul by a defender in his own penalty area (wherever the ball is, in or out of play) results in a penalty. Shirt pulling is a premeditated foul and it was clearly seen by the referee who quite correctly awarded the penalty. If there are 10 penalties a week awarded for shirt pulling so be it, maybe it will stop it happening. Possibly though, watching the reactions of both sets of players, even they think shirt pulling (as you would appear to) is within the rules.

    From milesbetter658@..., on Sun 2 Nov 12:26PM

  3. YOU HAVE GOT TO GIVE WEST BROM CREDIT....THEY REALLY DO PLAY SOME SUPER FOOTBALL...AND R VERY GOOD TO WATCH...WELL DONE I SAY TO A TEAM THAT TRY AND PLAY THE GREAT GAME HOW IT SHOULD BE PLAYED

    From CHRISTOPHER, on Sat 1 Nov 9:21PM

  4. Diane did you even go to the match, it was as blatent a double booking as you'll see. 1st Yellow for a late tackle (Possible Red?) 2nd for a handball, The penalty was a joke, their is going to be 10 penalties awarded every week if we start giving them for the reason he gave todays. As a baggies fan I am disappointed and can honestly say that Blackburn are horrible to watch and if I had to pay to see them i'd support burnley.

    From Paul C, on Sat 1 Nov 6:13PM

  5. COME ON BLACKBURN,WE NEED TO START PICKING UP 3 POINTS.
    WE ARE MISSING SANTA CRUZ

    From neilcraddock@..., on Sat 1 Nov 5:56PM

  6. mccarthy shouldn't have been sent off, that ruined the game for rovers. Good that andrews got a goal, he might do well yet.

    From dianesellars@..., on Sat 1 Nov 5:48PM

  7. At least blackburn are top of soccer am score in rome shoot out... COME ON ROVERS :)

    From andrew, on Sat 1 Nov 5:41PM
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