A stoppage-time free-kick from Morten Gamst Pedersen saw
Blackburn Rovers defeat a plucky Sheffield United 2-1 at Ewood
Park.
Defeat was harsh on the visitors who had looked set to claim a
well-earned point after Ewood Park old boy Jon Stead had
immediately cancelled out Pedersen's first-half strike.
Rovers looked uncertain in defence in the opening exchanges and
United had two glorious opportunities to claim a lead inside ten
minutes.
Rob Hulse turned and saw a shot deflected on to a post and Nick
Montgomery volleyed wide inside the area when he really should have
done better.
Stead shot over the bar but the only noteworthy incident from an
attacking sense for Rovers had been a 17th minute injury to Matt
Derbyshire - the striker being replaced by the returning Jason
Roberts.
With little warning, Rovers claimed the lead in the 22nd minute.
Brett Emerton cut inside on the right-hand edge of the area and
delivered a cross for Pedersen to head past Paddy Kenny from six
yards.
Within three minutes United were level as Stead scored on his
return to Ewood Park. The two Blades striker combined in style -
Hulse flicking on and Stead, having shrugged off the attentions of
full debutant Christopher Samba, fired past Brad Friedel.
Pedersen should have restored Rovers' lead ten minutes before
half-time but the normally assured striker dragged his shot wide
after running on to Ryan Nelsen's ball over the top.
The peep of referee Andre Marriner's whistle punctuated the
remainder of the half with the high number of free-kicks an
indicator of the competitive edge to the game, even if it was not
conducive to free-flowing football.
Rovers had the greater share of play in the second half. Superb
skill from David Bentley saw the midfielder close on goal but Kenny
was equal to the winger's shot.
An impressive overhead kick from Hulse flashed just wide of goal at
the other end, but the tempo had dropped after a frantic first
half.
The roof was raised though when David Dunn was reintroduced for his
second Rovers debut on the hour - the midfielder taking the field
in place of Aaron Mokoena.
Roberts and Benni McCarthy combined but the former shot wide, while
Bentley crossed for Pedersen to head at goal but straight at
Kenny.
Hughes introduced a third striker in Shabani Nonda, as Rovers
pressed but United had their moments too - Stephen Quinn volleyed
over from the edge of the area, while Samba cut out Stead's cross
when danger threatened.
Rovers were reduced to ten men after Stephen Warnock was shown a
second yellow card on his home debut following a foul on Derek
Geary but claimed the winner after Dunn was brought down on the
edge of the area and Pedersen stepped up to curl in a sumptuous
left-footed free-kick.