Rovers 3 Southampton 0 Match Report

[Alan75]

Rovers gained another valuable 3 points in their fight to avoid relegation, when they beat Southampton convincingly 3-0 at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon.

Morten Gamst Pedersen put Rovers ahead in the 11th minute, after collecting a long cross field pass from Aaron Mokoena, before slotting the ball home from a narrow angle into the back of the Southampton net.

Half time 1-0.

Rovers made sure of the points early in the second half thanks to an own goal from Andreas Jakobsson who deflected Steven Reid's cross into his own net, and then Reid, who had been exceptional all afternoon was deservedly rewarded for his efforts when he scored the third goal from about 8 yards out 10 minutes into the second half.

In his post match interview Mark Hughes was clearly pleased, stating:-

"I thought the players were magnificent, each of them put in a committed performance.

"It was important we got the three points and there were no signs they were thinking ahead to next week.

"We probably need one more win to be safe, and it's made it difficult for the teams below us to catch us."

Rovers: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Matteo, Mokoena, Thompson (Emerton 45), Reid (Stead 74), Flitcroft (Tugay 49), Pedersen, Dickov.

Subs Not Used: Amoruso, Enckelman.

Booked: Emerton, Reid.

Goals: Pedersen 11, Jakobsson 48 og, Reid 55.

Southampton: Smith, Delap, Lundekvam, Jakobsson, Bernard (Higginbotham 83), Telfer, Redknapp, Quashie, Le Saux (Phillips 45), Crouch, Camara (Anders Svensson 75).

Subs Not Used: Poke, Davenport.

Booked: Camara.

Att: 20,726

Referee: N Barry

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[Alan75]

In his post match comments Southampton manager Harry Rednap was complementary about Rover, stating.

"They (Rovers) played well and looked a decent team to me. They are compact and you can see whilst they have gone to Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton and got results. They look a strong outfit.

"They have the look of a decent team and on that performance should give Arsenal or any other team a run for their money.

"They played some great football today. Yes they are competitive but that's what you're supposed to be."