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Played
December 20, 2011 8:00 PM GMT
Ewood Park — Blackburn
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 25570
December 20, 2011 8:00 PM GMT
Ewood Park — Blackburn
Referee: M. Atkinson
Attendance: 25570
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| Blackburn | 2.10 | 51.00 | 2.20 | 61.00 | 2.20 | 900.00 | 2.25 | 2.10 |
| Draw | 3.30 | 5.50 | 3.20 | 9.00 | 3.30 | 14.00 | 3.45 | 3.40 |
| Bolton | 3.55 | 1.08 | 3.30 | 1.07 | 3.40 | 1.01 | 3.35 | 3.30 |
Top of the Match
Nigel Reo-Coker
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers
Martin Petrov
Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers
Flop of the Match
Jason Lowe
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers
Steve Kean
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Blackburn 1-2 Bolton: Steve Kean on the brink after Davies & Reo-Coker hand disastrous defeat to relegation rivals
Yakubu's second-half strike proved only a consolation as Rovers sunk to yet another defeat at the hands of their Lancashire rivals, which leaves their manager hanging by a thread
By David Lynch at Ewood Park
Getty Images
Bolton Wanderers piled even more pressure on Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean as they leapfrogged their Lancashire neighbours, sending them bottom of the Premier League, with a 2-1 win at Ewood Park.
A Mark Davies opener after just five minutes and a well-crafted Nigel Reo-Coker goal saw the visitors lead at half-time in what was billed as a relegation showdown.
And, despite a spirited Yakubu-led comeback in the second half, the hosts failed to get anything from what was a pulsating derby clash. Whether Rovers' manager can survive this latest blow is yet to be seen.
Under-fire Blackburn manager Kean made two changes from his side’s last outing, a home defeat to West Brom. Junior Hoilett proved fit enough after a hamstring strain to return in the place of Ruben Rochina, whilst Scott Dann’s groin injury meant a berth in defence for 20-year-old Grant Hanley.
The visitors made three changes after their loss to Fulham with Gretar Steinsson replacing Boyata in defence and Martin Petrov and David N’Gog joining the attack in place of Kevin Davies and Darren Pratley.
With the importance of the fixture weighing heavy on both sides, it was Bolton who started brightest as Ivan Klasnic’s clever leave after an incisive Petrov run gained them an early corner.
Though that set piece came to nothing, it took just two minutes for the visitors to assert their dominance with an early goal. A passage of play under zero pressure allowed N’Gog space and time in the box to cut inside and, after thinking twice about going down under a possible trip, the Frenchman squared for Davies to who took a touch before calmly slotting home with his left.
Dissent from the home fans came thick and fast following the goal and only served to cement Bolton’s position as comfortable leaders.
Reo-Coker came close to doubling their advantage after more good work from N’Gog resulted in a lay-off and powerful from strike from the edge of the box which was, fortunately for the hosts, deflected to safety.
What followed, however, resembled more of an even contest, with Rovers getting nearer to threatening the Wanderers’ defence without finding the final pass to break a determined pairing of Zat Knight and Gary Cahill.
England man Cahill even found an opportunity to show his pedigree at the sharp end of the pitch but miscued a volley horribly wide on his left foot to the delight of the Blackburn support.
However, Rovers boast a home defensive record worsened only by Owen Coyle’s men and it seemed that the Trotters were the only side willing to capitalise on the frail confidence of their opponents as they doubled their lead half an hour in.
Reo-Coker broke too easily from midfield before playing Petrov in on the left hand side after a clever support run. Though the ball initially had looked too weighty, the winger did brilliantly to cut back first-time to the Englishman, who had continued into the box and swivelled brilliantly before putting the ball in the bottom corner.
The lead was no more than the visitors deserved and was enough to send several home fans for the exits before the half was up. When the half-time whistle eventually came it was, inevitably, met with a chorus of boos from the home fans and left Kean with an almost impossible team-talk.
Whatever Rovers’ beleaguered boss had to say at half time almost worked immediate wonders as Hoilett jinked into the box to see Steven N’Zonzi side-foot agonisingly wide of the post.
Hoilett continued to trouble the visitors as he ran against three Bolton defenders before winning a corner, only for the hosts to waste it with a poor delivery.
The Canadian winger then twisted and turned in the Trotters box before side-footing across the box, however, Simon Vukcevic’s backheel attempt could not make sufficient contact and the danger was cleared.
Rather unsurprisingly, it was Hoilett who carved Rovers’ opportunity to get back into the game as his clever ball after cutting in from the left found the Bolton defence standing and allowed Yakubu to finish deftly with a chip over Jaaskelainen.
The Rovers fans sensed a comeback but Owen Coyle’s side showed great determination with a number of blocks, first from Cahill and later Klasnic.
Other than a venomous cross from the left, predictably from Hoilett, Kean’s men failed to conjure a meaningful attack despite the introduction of David Goodwillie and Rochina.
That was until the final moments when Samba, in his almost weekly stint in the team's last-gasp attack, missed by inches with a great headed opportunity which could have given an entirely different gloss to the scoreline.
That meant the Trotters were able to hold on for a much-need three points which takes them above their rivals into 19th.
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A Mark Davies opener after just five minutes and a well-crafted Nigel Reo-Coker goal saw the visitors lead at half-time in what was billed as a relegation showdown.
And, despite a spirited Yakubu-led comeback in the second half, the hosts failed to get anything from what was a pulsating derby clash. Whether Rovers' manager can survive this latest blow is yet to be seen.
Under-fire Blackburn manager Kean made two changes from his side’s last outing, a home defeat to West Brom. Junior Hoilett proved fit enough after a hamstring strain to return in the place of Ruben Rochina, whilst Scott Dann’s groin injury meant a berth in defence for 20-year-old Grant Hanley.
The visitors made three changes after their loss to Fulham with Gretar Steinsson replacing Boyata in defence and Martin Petrov and David N’Gog joining the attack in place of Kevin Davies and Darren Pratley.
With the importance of the fixture weighing heavy on both sides, it was Bolton who started brightest as Ivan Klasnic’s clever leave after an incisive Petrov run gained them an early corner.
Though that set piece came to nothing, it took just two minutes for the visitors to assert their dominance with an early goal. A passage of play under zero pressure allowed N’Gog space and time in the box to cut inside and, after thinking twice about going down under a possible trip, the Frenchman squared for Davies to who took a touch before calmly slotting home with his left.
Dissent from the home fans came thick and fast following the goal and only served to cement Bolton’s position as comfortable leaders.
Reo-Coker came close to doubling their advantage after more good work from N’Gog resulted in a lay-off and powerful from strike from the edge of the box which was, fortunately for the hosts, deflected to safety.
What followed, however, resembled more of an even contest, with Rovers getting nearer to threatening the Wanderers’ defence without finding the final pass to break a determined pairing of Zat Knight and Gary Cahill.
England man Cahill even found an opportunity to show his pedigree at the sharp end of the pitch but miscued a volley horribly wide on his left foot to the delight of the Blackburn support.
However, Rovers boast a home defensive record worsened only by Owen Coyle’s men and it seemed that the Trotters were the only side willing to capitalise on the frail confidence of their opponents as they doubled their lead half an hour in.
Reo-Coker broke too easily from midfield before playing Petrov in on the left hand side after a clever support run. Though the ball initially had looked too weighty, the winger did brilliantly to cut back first-time to the Englishman, who had continued into the box and swivelled brilliantly before putting the ball in the bottom corner.
The lead was no more than the visitors deserved and was enough to send several home fans for the exits before the half was up. When the half-time whistle eventually came it was, inevitably, met with a chorus of boos from the home fans and left Kean with an almost impossible team-talk.
Under pressure | Bosses Coyle & Kean were both desperate for a win
Whatever Rovers’ beleaguered boss had to say at half time almost worked immediate wonders as Hoilett jinked into the box to see Steven N’Zonzi side-foot agonisingly wide of the post.
Hoilett continued to trouble the visitors as he ran against three Bolton defenders before winning a corner, only for the hosts to waste it with a poor delivery.
The Canadian winger then twisted and turned in the Trotters box before side-footing across the box, however, Simon Vukcevic’s backheel attempt could not make sufficient contact and the danger was cleared.
Rather unsurprisingly, it was Hoilett who carved Rovers’ opportunity to get back into the game as his clever ball after cutting in from the left found the Bolton defence standing and allowed Yakubu to finish deftly with a chip over Jaaskelainen.
The Rovers fans sensed a comeback but Owen Coyle’s side showed great determination with a number of blocks, first from Cahill and later Klasnic.
Other than a venomous cross from the left, predictably from Hoilett, Kean’s men failed to conjure a meaningful attack despite the introduction of David Goodwillie and Rochina.
That was until the final moments when Samba, in his almost weekly stint in the team's last-gasp attack, missed by inches with a great headed opportunity which could have given an entirely different gloss to the scoreline.
That meant the Trotters were able to hold on for a much-need three points which takes them above their rivals into 19th.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
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Top & Flop Global Ranking
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Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In GMT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Manchester United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Manchester City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |
