Apr 23

Squad sheets: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn Rovers

That the Molineux faithful have not seen their side score a single goal since February, and only ten all season, will be forgiven if Wolves get the points that will guarantee survival. Not forgotten, however: Mick McCarthy has acknowledged he must increase his side’s firepower over the summer, if only to keep the fans awake. Blackburn will be hoping the young French midfielder Steven Nzonzi, the Premier League find of the season according to Sam Allardyce, can replicate the long-distance strike that raised the roof against Everton last week. Richard Rae

Venue Molineux, Saturday 3pm

Tickets Sold out

Last season n/a

Referee L Probert

This season’s matches 21 Y71, R4, 3.57 cards per game

Odds Wolves 13-10 Blackburn 5-2 Draw 23-10

Wolves

Subs from Hennessey, Ebanks-Blake, Keogh, Vokes, Milijas, Ward, Guédioura, Iwelumo, Halford, Mujangi Bia, Surmna, Castillo, Stearman

Doubtful Jarvis (thigh)

Injured Kightly (ankle, unknown), Murray (knee, unknown)

Suspended Henry (last of three)

Form guide DDLDWD

Disciplinary record Y63 R4

Leading scorer Doyle 7

Blackburn

Subs from Brown, Bunn, Grella, Diouf, Jacobsen, Chimbonda, Hoilett, Roberts, Di Santo, Basturk, Rigters

Doubtful Diouf (tonsillitis), Jacobsen (groin), Olsson (leg)

Injured Emerton (hamstring, 3 May), Samba (groin, 3 May)

Suspended None

Form guide LDDWWD

Disciplinary record Y55 R2

Leading scorer Dunn 8

Match pointers

• Blackburn last won at Wolves in October 1990 when Frank Stapleton scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 victory

• If Wolves fail to find the net they will equal the longest run of matches without scoring (five) in the Premier League this season

• If selected, Paul Robinson will be making his 300th Premier League appearance

• Wolves have been awarded one penalty so far in 2009-10, the fewest in the division

• Blackburn have drawn seven games 0-0 this season, more than any other side in the top flight

Premier LeagueWolverhampton WanderersBlackburn Roversguardian.co.uk

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Apr 19

Blackburn 2-3 Everton | Premier League match report

Mikel Arteta aimed further swipes at Morten Gamst Pedersen in the aftermath of Everton’s last-gasp victory at Ewood Park, but none quite as reprehensible as the poke in the eye that grubbied his otherwise fine display.

Accusations of ‘previous’ rang from Arteta’s lips, as did an apology for his moment of nastiness. There will be no further inquisition for the Spanish midfielder, given that the referee Andre Marriner assessed the unsavoury incident as worthy of a yellow card, unless the official says in his report that he merely witnessed physical confrontation rather than a raised arm. Only then, under Football Association disciplinary guidelines, can retrospective action be taken.

Arteta was not expected back from a groin tear for another fortnight but gave a matador’s interpretation of the midfield art among Blackburn’s bulls. However, his composure on the ball was not replicated when Pedersen caught him late in the 20th minute. “I probably shouldn’t have reacted like I did but there have been a few times – not just in this match – when he’s made bad tackles,” said the Spaniard. “I don’t mind it when they’re fair or tough, I accept it with no problem. But with him it’s different and he knows that – I told him after it as well.

“But I made a mistake, I shouldn’t have reacted and I apologise for it. I probably got more upset because I was out for so long and don’t want a stupid challenge like that injuring me again.”

Sam Allardyce was among the Rovers hordes who reckoned Arteta’s afternoon should have ended early for a different reason. “By the letter of the law it is a red card but, once again, the referee has got it wrong,” said the Blackburn manager. This was Arteta’s 10th league appearance of the season, making one wonder how much further up the table Everton would have been with double that number. His early penalty was his fifth goal and he was at the hub of Everton’s invention, after committing himself to the long-shot quest of Europa League qualification – by the final whistle they were one point shy of seventh-placed Aston Villa, having played two games more.

“It was a risk, but we had to take a risk because if we hadn’t won that was it for us in Europe,” said Arteta. “I told the gaffer that I’d play if he wanted me to.” Neither was David Moyes averse to gambling at one of Everton’s happy hunting grounds – they are now unbeaten in six league games at Blackburn’s stronghold – throwing on Yakubu as a second striker to devastating effect a dozen minutes from the end.

A flick from the Nigerian international’s forehead, his first touch, put Everton 2-1 ahead and his cunning spin and cross set up Tim Cahill’s 90th-minute tap-in. It kicked Moyes’ men’s filthy habit of relinquishing points at the fag end of games, having allowed West Ham and Aston Villa to snatch late equalisers this month.

Although they resolutely defended the barrage of long-throw and dead-ball deliveries into their 18-yard box, that prospect reared itself once more when Blackburn, loth to allow their proud home record to be tarnished without a skirmish, twice levelled through exquisite long rangers from Steven Nzonzi and Jason Roberts. Ultimately, however, they could not avert only their second defeat on home turf since the opening day.

But there are signs of progress, with Allardyce claiming Nzonzi, £500,000 from Amiens, as the coup signing of 2009-10. “There is not a better find for the consistency he has shown over the season. He is noticeable by his size and aerial strength. He has managed to hang in there and andcoped with the pressure on him every week, to play more than people might have expected.”

Premier LeagueBlackburn RoversEvertonguardian.co.uk

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Apr 16

Squad sheets: Blackburn Rovers v Everton

Everton manager David Moyes has urged his team to maintain their fight for European football to the death and they could not plump for more pugnacious opponents than Sam Allardyce’s Blackburn, beaten once at Ewood Park since the opening day of the season. Rovers do a fine line in spoiling, as Manchester United found to their cost last Sunday, and have kept three consecutive clean sheets. But Everton have good history in this fixture (unbeaten in five) and recent form (two losses in 20) as they attempt to erode the four-point deficit to Aston Villa, occupants of the final Europa League place. Richard Gibson

Venue Ewood Park, Saturday 3pm

Tickets £28-38 (0871 222 1444)

Last season Blackburn 0 Everton 0

Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 24 Y90, R9, 4.12 cards per game

Odds Blackburn 7-4 Everton 17-10 Draw 23-10

Blackburn

Subs from Brown, Bunn, Andrews, Diouf, Olsson, Jacobsen, Chimbonda, Basturk, Hoilett, Roberts, Di Santo

Doubtful Basturk (groin), Emerton (hamstring), Olsson (dead leg), Samba (groin)

Injured None

Suspended None

Form guide DDWWDL

Disciplinary record Y52 R2

Leading scorer Dunn 8

Everton

Subs from Nash, Senderos, Yobo, Rodwell, Yakubu, Hibbert, Anichebe, Duffy, Agard, Baxter, Wallace, Mustafi

Doubtful Heitinga (ankle)

Injured Arteta (groin, 24 Apr), Fellaini (ankle, Aug), Gosling (knee, Jan)

Suspended None

Form guide DDDWWD

Disciplinary record Y56 R2

Leading scorer Saha 13

Match pointers

• Blackburn have scored one goal in their last five home league meetings with Everton and have not beaten them at Ewood Park since November 2003

• Tim Cahill’s last 11 league goals for Everton have been scored with his head

• 60% of Blackburn’s league goals this season have come from set pieces, the highest proportion in the division

• Steven Pienaar has won more free-kicks (82) than any other player in the top flight

• Blackburn have lost one of their last 16 games at home in the Premier League

Premier LeagueBlackburn RoversEvertonguardian.co.uk

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