FOOTBALL Live

Saturday February 14, 2009 Finished

2 - 2

Blackburn Rovers

  • Santa Cruz 2’
  • Samba 90’

Coventry City

  • Gunnarsson 61’
  • Doyle 76’

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  1. Samba spares Blackburn's blushes

    Samba spares Blackburn's blushes

    A stoppage time equaliser from Christopher Samba rescued a replay for Blackburn after their FA Cup fifth round tie against Coventry More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Blackburn Rovers
    • Coventry City
    • 90+5' That's full-time at Ewood Park and Blackburn have somehow stayed in the FA Cup with a desperate late rally; rescuing a replay thanks to Christopher Samba's late equaliser after an enthralling tie. Thanks for joining us!
    • 90+3' GOAL!!! Christopher Samba drives home from inside the area to equalise for Blackburn in dramatic circumstances! One too many goalmouth scrambles caught Coventry out as the ball dropped to the defender.
    • 90+2' A desperate scramble in the Coventry box is somehow cleared as Blackburn continue to pump balls into the area.
    • 90 Four minutes are to be added at the end of this second half and Coventry are battling valiantly to hold on to their lead.
    • 88' Michael Doyle has the ball down by the corner flag as Blackburn continue to be boxed inside their half.
    • 86' Coventry almost make it three as Eastwood gets to the byline down the left and cuts the ball back across the goalmouth, but Clinton Morrison can't get on the end of it.
    • 84' Zurab Khizanishvili is booked for a foul on Freddy Eastwood, which demonstrates Rovers' frustration at the moment.
    • 81' The away supporters are going berserk behind the Blackburn goal as their side press for a decisive third goal. Benni McCarthy puts the ball in the Coventry net, but again it is disallowed, this time for offside.
    • 78' Big Sam reacts immediately by introducing Benni McCarthy in place of Jason Roberts, and the South African is ruled offside straight away.
    • 76' GOAL!!! Coventry take the lead through Michael Doyle!! The midfielder was put through by Aron Gunnarsson and attempted an ambitious volley, which took a fortuitous deflection off Samba and looped over Robinson into the far corner!
    • 72' A male streaker holds up play - prancing around in baggy briefs, throwing roses at the players to mark Valentines Day - the players are more frustrated than smitten, however.
    • 70' Keith Treacy comes on for David Dunn as the Blackburn midfield is given a serious rejuvenation.
    • 68' A disallowed goal for Blackburn retains parity! Gael Givet headed Carlos Villanueva's free-kick past Marshall, but Peter Walton takes exception with some shirt pulling from Givet on Gunnarsson in the box.
    • 67' Allardyce looks to inject some vigour in his midfield by introducing Keith Andrews, with Tugay coming off.
    • 65' A lovely jinking run from Gunnarsson on the edge of the Blackburn area opens up space, but the midfielder then lashes his shot over the bar.
    • 63' Chris Coleman's aggressive tactics have been vindicated, and the visitors look full of confidence, while Blackburn have looked increasingly sluggish in this second half, to the fury of Sam Allardyce.
    • 61' GOAL!!! Aron Gunnarsson scores an absolute screamer for Coventry, who fully deserve their equaliser in this second half! The midfielder controlled Daniel Fox's lay-off, before volleying emphatically past Robinson!
    • 59' Clinton Morrison goes down in the box following a challenge from Khizanishvili, but Walton is unimpressed and waves play on - Coventry are playing very positively.
    • 56' Gunnarsson is clattered by Gael Givet, who receives a ticking off from Peter Walton, while the defender nurses a bruised ankle.
    • 54' Leon Best is bravely introduced by Chris Coleman, who is looking to go on the offensive again; the striker has a large white facial mask which prompts raucous cheers from the away fans, with Beuzelin coming off.
    • 52' Jordan Henderson blasts over from inside the Blackburn box after the midfielder collected the ball in his stride - another good chance.
    • 50' Neat play from Gael Givet down the left, but just as the full-back was looking to deliver his cross from the byline, he allowed the ball to go out of play.
    • 48' Guillaume Beuzelin is booked for a cynical trip on Carlos Villanueva and Stephen Warnock whips in the subsequent free-kick, but he can't find a blue and white shirt.
    • 46' The second half is underway at Ewood Park and Chris Coleman has made one change to his Coventry side, bringing on club captain Scott Dann in place of James McPake.
    • 45+2' The half-time whistle echoes around eerily at Ewood Park, and the home side lead their Championship opponents 1-0, but it could easily be 3-3, with numerous chances going begging at both ends.
    • 45' Two minutes to be added at the end of this first half, and Sam Allardyce is already storming down the tunnel, although he can't be too unhappy with the scoreline.
    • 44' Gunnarsson draws a dangerous free-kick out of Christopher Samba, who clumsily leaves a leg in and is booked; Daniel Fox can only find the base of the Blackburn wall with his effort from the edge of the area.
    • 43' Another effort from Santa Cruz goes narrowly wide - this time out of nothing, the striker swivels and shoots from outside the Coventry box, but the ball swerves past Marshall's near post.
    • 41' Santa Cruz almost doubles his tally for the afternoon, but for a poor first touch, as he collected David Dunn's through ball, but from a subsequently tight angle, can only find the side netting.
    • 40' Villanueva combines with Santa Cruz before unleashing a volley from 25 yards, but Marshall is well positioned and saves.
    • 39' Freddy Eastwood, who has been quiet on the most part, shows decent pace to get down the left wing, but his attempted cut-back to Morrison goes awry as Danny Simpson scampers back.
    • 37' Neat skill from David Dunn brings a foul from Beuzelin in the Coventry half as Blackburn continue to press for a crucial second before half-time.
    • 35' Roberts is proving a real nuisance for the visitors and this time Doyle brings the big striker down 25 yards out. Warnock dinks in a cross from the set-piece, but Isaac Osbourne heads clear.
    • 33' A terrible, terrible miss from Aron Gunnarsson!!! Daniel Fox whipped in a vicious free-kick from the right, but Gunnarsson headed dreadfully wide, unmarked and only ten yards out with Robinson flat-footed!
    • 32' Carlos Villanueva makes a well-timed run inside the box, meeting Stephen Warnock's cross from wide out on the left, but he directs his volley poorly.
    • 29' With Jason Roberts looking fine after his temporary niggle, Freddy Eastwood is now the man to keep the physio on his toes, clasping his right ankle.
    • 27' Clinton Morrison wins a header but is clattered in the back by Zurab Khizanishvili, prompting referee Peter Walton to award a dangerous free-kick, but Daniel Fox wastes it.
    • 25' Santa Cruz is a constant threat from Roberts' persistant knock-ons, but the striker is mis-timing his runs at the moment, being ruled offside three times in as many minutes.
    • 23' Tugay is linking play in the manner which Blackburn fans have become accustomed to over the years, but the visitors are keeping the ball well themselves through Doyle and Beuzelin in midfield.
    • 21' Jason Roberts seems to have taken a knock on his thigh after missing that chance - a cynic would call that convenient, but he is limping uncomfortably at present.
    • 19' A glorious chance is squandered by Jason Roberts after Santa Cruz headed on to his partner, who precisely lobbed the ball over the head of James McPake, before slicing horribly wide from ten yards - very poor finish!
    • 17' Another long ball is pumped into the Coventry area, but this time Elliott Ward climbs higher than Roberts to head clear under pressure.
    • 15' It has to be said that there is a surreal atmosphere at Ewood Park, despite the early breakthrough; the home attendance is so poor, it's hard to judge which side is ahead.
    • 13' A good chance falls to Jordan Henderson as the youngster finds himself through on goal down the right from Doyle's raking pass, but he drags his shot wide of Paul Robinson's far post - Chris Coleman will be encouraged by his side's response to falling behind.
    • 10' Coventry have settled down well since the goal and Aron Gunnarsson forces his way to the right byline, but crucially loses balance as he is about to deliver his cross.
    • 8' A powerful surge through midfield by Michael Doyle wins a free-kick at the expense of a blatant block by Samba, but Freddy Eastwood can't get hold of the ball in the box.
    • 6' Rovers have begun the game very positively, with Stephen Warnock enjoying plenty of the ball down the left wing and Jason Roberts winning everything coming his way in the air.
    • 4' Andy Marshall, making an unexpected start after Keiren Westwood was injured in the warm-up, is furious with his defence after picking the ball out of the net so early on - it was a superb finish from Santa Cruz, but he was afforded far too much space.
    • 2' GOAL!!! In only the second minute, Roque Santa Cruz hammers home a volley from the left of the penalty area past Andy Marshall! Christopher Samba challenged for a header from Paul Robinson's mighty long ball, with the ball falling at the striker's feet, and he finished clinically!
    • 1' We're underway at a sparsely populated Ewood Park, with the away supporters making most of the noise.
    • - Allardyce partners Jason Roberts with Roque Santa Cruz, leaving Benni McCarthy confined to the bench, with Carlos Villanueva rewarded for a fine performance in the previous round with a right-wing starting berth. Freddy Eastwood and Clinton Morrison lead the forward line in what is a positive line-up for Coventry, who are 9/2 to cause an upset this afternoon.
    • - Welcome to this FA Cup fifth round tie between Blackburn and Coventry at Ewood Park. Sam Allardyce's side have knocked out Blyth Spartans and Sunderland in the third and fourth rounds respectively, with Chris Coleman's Sky Blues providing their latest test.

  • Summary

    • 90+3' GOAL!!! Christopher Samba drives home from inside the area to equalise for Blackburn in dramatic circumstances! One too many goalmouth scrambles caught Coventry out as the ball dropped to the defender.
    • 90+2' A desperate scramble in the Coventry box is somehow cleared as Blackburn continue to pump balls into the area.
    • 86' Coventry almost make it three as Eastwood gets to the byline down the left and cuts the ball back across the goalmouth, but Clinton Morrison can't get on the end of it.
    • 81' The away supporters are going berserk behind the Blackburn goal as their side press for a decisive third goal. Benni McCarthy puts the ball in the Coventry net, but again it is disallowed, this time for offside.
    • 76' GOAL!!! Coventry take the lead through Michael Doyle!! The midfielder was put through by Aron Gunnarsson and attempted an ambitious volley, which took a fortuitous deflection off Samba and looped over Robinson into the far corner!
    • 68' A disallowed goal for Blackburn retains parity! Gael Givet headed Carlos Villanueva's free-kick past Marshall, but Peter Walton takes exception with some shirt pulling from Givet on Gunnarsson in the box.
    • 65' A lovely jinking run from Gunnarsson on the edge of the Blackburn area opens up space, but the midfielder then lashes his shot over the bar.
    • 61' GOAL!!! Aron Gunnarsson scores an absolute screamer for Coventry, who fully deserve their equaliser in this second half! The midfielder controlled Daniel Fox's lay-off, before volleying emphatically past Robinson!
    • 59' Clinton Morrison goes down in the box following a challenge from Khizanishvili, but Walton is unimpressed and waves play on - Coventry are playing very positively.
    • 41' Santa Cruz almost doubles his tally for the afternoon, but for a poor first touch, as he collected David Dunn's through ball, but from a subsequently tight angle, can only find the side netting.
    • 33' A terrible, terrible miss from Aron Gunnarsson!!! Daniel Fox whipped in a vicious free-kick from the right, but Gunnarsson headed dreadfully wide, unmarked and only ten yards out with Robinson flat-footed!
    • 19' A glorious chance is squandered by Jason Roberts after Santa Cruz headed on to his partner, who precisely lobbed the ball over the head of James McPake, before slicing horribly wide from ten yards - very poor finish!
    • 13' A good chance falls to Jordan Henderson as the youngster finds himself through on goal down the right from Doyle's raking pass, but he drags his shot wide of Paul Robinson's far post - Chris Coleman will be encouraged by his side's response to falling behind.
    • 2' GOAL!!! In only the second minute, Roque Santa Cruz hammers home a volley from the left of the penalty area past Andy Marshall! Christopher Samba challenged for a header from Paul Robinson's mighty long ball, with the ball falling at the striker's feet, and he finished clinically!
    • - Welcome to this FA Cup fifth round tie between Blackburn and Coventry at Ewood Park. Sam Allardyce's side have knocked out Blyth Spartans and Sunderland in the third and fourth rounds respectively, with Chris Coleman's Sky Blues providing their latest test.

Team lineup & ratings

  • Lineup

    Live Team Line-Up

    • Blackburn Rovers

      Manager: Sam Allardyce

      Captain: Ryan Nelsen

      Starting line-up

      • P. Robinson
      • D. Simpson
      • Z. Khizanishvili Yellow Card
      • C. Samba Goal Yellow Card
      • G. Givet
      • C. Villanueva
      • K. Tugay Substitution Out (67′)
      • D. Dunn Substitution Out (70′)
      • S. Warnock
      • R. Santa Cruz Goal
      • J. Roberts Substitution Out (78′)

      Subs

      • B. McCarthy Substitution In78′
      • K. Andrews Substitution In67′
      • V. Grella
      • R. Nelsen
      • K. Treacy Substitution In70′
      • M. Bunn
      • D. Aaron

      Injured

      • B. Emerton
      • S. Reid

      Suspended

      • A. Mokoena

    • Coventry City

      Manager: Chris Coleman

      Captain: Scott Dann

      Starting line-up

      • A. Marshall
      • I. Osbourne
      • J. McPake Substitution Out (46′)
      • E. Ward
      • D. Fox
      • A. Gunnarsson Goal
      • G. Beuzelin Yellow Card Substitution Out (53′)
      • M. Doyle Goal
      • J. Henderson
      • C. Morrison
      • F. Eastwood Yellow Card

      Subs

      • M. Hall
      • L. Best Substitution In53′ Yellow Card
      • R. Simpson
      • K. Thornton
      • S. Dann Substitution In46′
      • K. Westwood
      • A. Cain

      Suspended

      • S. Wright

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Goal Yellow Card - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      - -
      Substitution Out67′ - -
      Substitution Out70′ - -
      - -
      Strikers
      Goal - -
      Substitution Out78′ - -
      Subs
      Substitution In78′ - -
      Substitution In67′ - -
      Substitution In70′ - -
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      - -
      Defenders
      - -
      Substitution Out46′ - -
      - -
      - -
      Midfielders
      Goal - -
      Yellow Card Substitution Out53′ - -
      Goal - -
      - -
      Strikers
      - -
      Yellow Card - -
      Subs
      Substitution In53′ Yellow Card - -
      Substitution In46′ - -

Comment 18 - 37 of 37

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. khizanishvili is the best defender.... come on rovers

    From meqo, on Sat 14 Feb 10:51PM

  2. COME ON COVENTRY CITY AND WELL PLAYED BY ARON GURRASSON

    From karenza02, on Sat 14 Feb 7:47PM

  3. khizanishvili is cool players

    From gogicha_barca, on Sat 14 Feb 5:37PM

  4. khizanishvili is cool players

    From gogicha_barca, on Sat 14 Feb 5:35PM

  5. omg what is going on rovers

    From chandapeter, on Sat 14 Feb 5:27PM

  6. banishedowner shut up.another glory grabber probably­ living in blackburn

    From simsrl4, on Sat 14 Feb 5:07PM

  7. wonderful match. the reply promises to be very­ interesting. uche, abuja

    From uchenna, on Sat 14 Feb 5:03PM

  8. lmao 2-2 it ends Nice one rovers you can't do @#$%­ against a non barclays team. (Manchester united fan)

    From banishedowner, on Sat 14 Feb 5:00PM

  9. Jones ya muppet...gone quiet now soft southern shandy­ drinker

    From skinman, on Sat 14 Feb 4:59PM

  10. C'mon City

    From stevekarenprice, on Sat 14 Feb 4:58PM

  11. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From skinman, on Sat 14 Feb 4:57PM

  12. feel 4 u coventry fans out there!

    From hooflover69, on Sat 14 Feb 4:56PM

  13. lol jones651..what is the score again? and please dont­ forget what league you are in.

    From simsrl4, on Sat 14 Feb 4:56PM

  14. Yesssssssssssss!!!!! 2-2!

    From Ian, on Sat 14 Feb 4:55PM

  15. ha ha rovers­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    you will be in­ the championship next year rovers.

    From Lewis, on Sat 14 Feb 4:48PM

  16. snap there necks

    From darren, on Sat 14 Feb 4:44PM

  17. OMG Blackburn, what are u playing at!
    Big sam out

    From jrfootballmad, on Sat 14 Feb 4:43PM

  18. eat there balls

    From darren, on Sat 14 Feb 4:28PM

  19. it is very good but needs to hurry up a bit this but­ vey

    From Daniel, on Sat 14 Feb 4:27PM

  20. Get in there come on get the win city

    From PAUL, on Sat 14 Feb 4:26PM
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