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Played
September 17, 2011 7:45 AM EDT
Ewood Park — Blackburn
Referee: A. Marriner
Attendance: 22637
September 17, 2011 7:45 AM EDT
Ewood Park — Blackburn
Referee: A. Marriner
Attendance: 22637
Top of the Match
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Blackburn
Blackburn
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Blackburn
Blackburn
Flop of the Match
Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal
Arsenal
Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal
Arsenal
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Blackburn 4-3 Arsenal: Song & Koscielny both score own goals as Wenger’s troubles mount
Steve Kean wins the battle of the under pressure managers as a pair of Gunners own goals and a Yakubu debut brace see Rovers take the spoils at Ewood Park
By Matt Scott
Getty Images
Blackburn Rovers beat Arsenal 4-3 at Ewood Park to ease the pressure on manager Steve Kean and further compound Arsene Wenger's misery.
Rovers' fans had staged a pre-match protest against the management of Kean but the Scot may have bought himself more time following a win that was heavily reliant on some impressive counter attacking football.
Arsenal took the lead in the tenth minute, Alex Song's slide rule pass found Gervinho who struck the ball through Chris Samba's legs and into the corner of Paul Robinson's goal.
Gervinho then had a chance to double his tally but skewed his effort badly following Sagna's cut-back and he was punished as Rovers went up the other end and scored through Yakubu who prodded first-time past Szczesny from Hoilett's though-ball.
Arsenal went in at the break ahead, however. Aaron Ramsey surged down the right wing and cut the ball into the box where Mikel Arteta was waiting to slam home his first Gunners goal.
The Gunners should have had a two-goal cushion at halftime. Gervinho played his way into the Blackburn area and faced with a choice of going himself or playing in Robin van Persie he dithered on the ball and his effort was easily charged down.
Gervinho's mistake was punished again early in the second half, Ruben Rochina drifted a free-kick over and under no pressure Alex Song failed to react and saw the ball bobble in off his knee.
Blacburn was suddenly energized and had a golden chance to take the lead for the first time in the match as Mauro Formica was played through but could not beat Szczesny when one on one.
Blackburn did finally take the lead just before the hour, Junior Hoilett's deep corner found N'Zonzi who drove the ball across the face of goal, leaving Yakubu the simple task of scoring his second of the afternoon, although he appeared to have done so from an offside position.
Rovers then extended its lead through a second own-goal of the afternoon with Yakubu and Martin Olsson combined in a lightning quick counter-attack following an Arsenal corner.
After hurdling Djourou's challenge and beating Song, Olsson's cut-back went in off a helpless Koscielny as the pressure began to alleviate from Steve Kean's shoulders and fall on Arsene Wenger's.
Arsenal was frantically searching for a way back into the game but found Rovers' backline, in particular Paul Robinson, determined not to be beaten again. The former England number one saving spectacularly from van Persie's header.
Robinson was beaten again, however, with five minutes remaining as van Persie's cross was met by substitute Chamakh who thundered his header home.
Per Mertesacker then had a glorious opportunity to equalize for Arsenal but his towering header flew over the bar when the German should have done better. Van Persie also had an effort saved from an acute angle and Chamakh headed wide as Rovers fought doggedly to keep hold of all three points.
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Rovers' fans had staged a pre-match protest against the management of Kean but the Scot may have bought himself more time following a win that was heavily reliant on some impressive counter attacking football.
Arsenal took the lead in the tenth minute, Alex Song's slide rule pass found Gervinho who struck the ball through Chris Samba's legs and into the corner of Paul Robinson's goal.
Gervinho then had a chance to double his tally but skewed his effort badly following Sagna's cut-back and he was punished as Rovers went up the other end and scored through Yakubu who prodded first-time past Szczesny from Hoilett's though-ball.
Arsenal went in at the break ahead, however. Aaron Ramsey surged down the right wing and cut the ball into the box where Mikel Arteta was waiting to slam home his first Gunners goal.
The Gunners should have had a two-goal cushion at halftime. Gervinho played his way into the Blackburn area and faced with a choice of going himself or playing in Robin van Persie he dithered on the ball and his effort was easily charged down.
Gervinho's mistake was punished again early in the second half, Ruben Rochina drifted a free-kick over and under no pressure Alex Song failed to react and saw the ball bobble in off his knee.
Blacburn was suddenly energized and had a golden chance to take the lead for the first time in the match as Mauro Formica was played through but could not beat Szczesny when one on one.
Blackburn did finally take the lead just before the hour, Junior Hoilett's deep corner found N'Zonzi who drove the ball across the face of goal, leaving Yakubu the simple task of scoring his second of the afternoon, although he appeared to have done so from an offside position.
Rovers then extended its lead through a second own-goal of the afternoon with Yakubu and Martin Olsson combined in a lightning quick counter-attack following an Arsenal corner.
After hurdling Djourou's challenge and beating Song, Olsson's cut-back went in off a helpless Koscielny as the pressure began to alleviate from Steve Kean's shoulders and fall on Arsene Wenger's.
Arsenal was frantically searching for a way back into the game but found Rovers' backline, in particular Paul Robinson, determined not to be beaten again. The former England number one saving spectacularly from van Persie's header.
Robinson was beaten again, however, with five minutes remaining as van Persie's cross was met by substitute Chamakh who thundered his header home.
Per Mertesacker then had a glorious opportunity to equalize for Arsenal but his towering header flew over the bar when the German should have done better. Van Persie also had an effort saved from an acute angle and Chamakh headed wide as Rovers fought doggedly to keep hold of all three points.
Follow Goal.com on
to get the latest soccer news directly. Check out Goal.com's page; be part of the best soccer fan community in the world!
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
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Robin van Persie
Striker Arsenal |
30 | 2 |
|
Wayne Rooney
Striker Man United |
27 | 6 |
|
Kun Agüero
Striker Man City |
23 | 3 |
|
Aiyegbeni Yakubu
Striker Blackburn Rovers |
17 | 4 |
|
Emmanuel Adebayor
Striker Tottenham |
17 | 3 |